Formed in 2002 in San Jose, California, the American band Xiu Xiu has developed a sound associated with various genres, such as post-punk, art rock, experimental rock, and synthpop. The band’s name was inspired by the Chinese film Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl. Singer-songwriter Jamie Stewart has been the only constant member since the project’s inception, while Angela Seo became a permanent member of the group in 2009.
Xiu Xiu released its first album in 2002 and has since built an extensive discography. In 2013, Jamie Stewart and producer Shahzad Ismaily recorded, at Sigur Rós’s studio in Iceland, a selection of American and Caribbean spirituals originally composed between 1850 and 1920. The recordings were compiled on the album Unclouded Sky, released in 2014.
On Xiu Xiu Plays the Music of Twin Peak (2016), the band presented covers of songs from the soundtrack of the classic series created by Mark Frost and David Lynch. The following year, they released FORGET. The album Girl with Basket of Fruit arrived in 2019, followed by Oh No in 2021, an album that featured collaborations with artists such as Sharon van Etten, Chelsea Wolfe, Twin Shadow, and Liz Harris.
In 2023, with David Kendrick now part of the lineup, the trio released Ignore Grief. The following year saw the release of 13 Frank Beltrame Italian Stiletto With Bison Horn Grips.
Released in 2026, Xiu Mutha Fuckin’ Xiu: Vol. 1 brings together reinterpretations of songs by various artists, such as “Cherry Bomb” by The Runaways; “Some Things Last a Long Time” by Daniel Johnston; “Psycho Killer” by Talking Heads; and “Dancing on My Own” by Robyn.
Also in 2026, Xiu Xiu once again paid tribute to a work by David Lynch. On Eraserhead Xiu Xiu, the band presents interpretations inspired by the soundtrack to Eraserhead, a film directed by Lynch and released in 1977.
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