Matt Hsu is a Taiwanese-Australian musician and composer. In 2020, he established a live ensemble consisting of Brisbane indie musicians, hip-hop artists, classically-trained musicians, and multi-disciplinary artists, dubbed Matt Hsu's Obscure Orchestra.
Matt Hsu's Obscure Orchestra | |
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 Matt Hsu's Obscure Orchestra photographed by Rod Pilbeam, 2023. | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Matt Hsu |
| Born | 1986 Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Genres | Experimental music, art pop, bedroom pop, Political hip hop |
| Occupation(s) | Composer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist |
| Instrument(s) | Trumpet, clarinet, accordion, double bass, mbira, trombone, marimba, vibraphone, percussion |
| Website | obscureorchestra.com |
Early life and education
editMatt Hsu was born in 1986 to immigrant Taiwanese parents in Brisbane.[1]
As a child he listened to metal and punk music, in an effort to distance himself from Asian stereotypes, but later embraced his Taiwanese heritage, using music to express overcoming internalised racism.[1] When he was 15, he played in a metal band, rapping covers of Rage Against The Machine.[2]
Career
editHsu is known as the co-founder, trumpet player and songwriter for the folk punk band The Mouldy Lovers.[3][2]
In 2018, Hsu started establishing "Matt Hsu's Obscure Orchestra".[4]
His 2019 debut album The Shirt Album is notable for having been released "in the form of an organic fair-trade T-shirt in place of a CD" with the aim of reducing potential plastic waste.[5] The album features collaborations with noted Tibetan musician Tenzin Choegyal, Triple J Unearthed Sprung Hip Hop winner Blaq Carrie,[6] and Japanese musician Kenta Hayashi,[7]
Emily Wurramara has provided vocals on one of his projects.[2]
As a "one-person orchestra" he has performed at TEDx and Australia's BIGSOUND Festival, and has been featured on SBS World News,[8] and ABC's Art Works.
Awards
editQueensland Music Awards
editIn 2020, Hsu became a Queensland Music Awards winner in the world music category[9]
The Queensland Music Awards (previously known as Q Song Awards) are annual awards celebrating Queensland, Australia's brightest emerging artists and established legends. They commenced in 2006.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result (wins only) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | "Make Everything" | World Award of the Year | Won | [9] |
| 2022 | "Welcome to the Neighbourhood" (Taiwanese: 就當家裡) | World Award of the Year | Won | [10] |
Live ensemble
edit
Formation
editIn 2020, Matt established a live ensemble consisting of Brisbane indie musicians, hip-hop artists, classically trained musicians, and multi-disciplinary artists.[11] Known as Matt Hsu's Obscure Orchestra, the ensemble is "underpinned by gender equity, inclusivity and visibility",[12] and currently[when?] comprises 25 core members and frequent guest vocalists, which include culturally diverse, First Nations, disabled, transgender and non-binary artists.
Core members
edit- Yvette Ofa Agapow - vibraphone, xylophone
- Mika Atkinson - sax
- BADASSMUTHA - vocals
- Sophie Bird - clarinet, sax
- Tenzin Choegyal - vocals, dranyen, limbu
- Nima Doostkhah - rap
- Katherine Gough - violin, viola
- Ai Hasegawa - cello
- Laura Hjortshoj-Haller - french horn
- Matt Hsu - composer, orchestrator, vocals, accordion, trumpet, clarinet, musical saw, shakuhachi, t'rung, found objects
- Andrew Humphreys - trumpet, trombone, euphonium, ukulele
- Georgie-Rose Jurss - flute
- Courts Lovell - clarinet, soprano sax, bari sax
- PJ McEwan - violin, viola
- Lucie Pegna - vocals, keys
- Katie Randall - drum kit
- Han Reardon-Smith - flute, bass flute
- Saro Roro - vocals, flute
- Jodie Rottle - flute, found objects
- Skylar Sansome - marimba
- Gabby Spina - harp
- Jonathan Sriranganathan - tenor sax, vocals
- Kaya Tominaga - taiko, rap, toy piano, ukulele, bongos
- Caroline Townsend - double bass
- Ebony Westwood - trumpet
- Fiona Wheeler - trombone, slide trumpet, ukulele, vocals
Reserve members
edit- Sarah Probets - cello
- Antonia Burwell-Rodriguez - french horn
- Clair Wheatley - clarinet
Past members
edit- Aimee Harris - harp, viola
- Alice Wheeler - trumpet
- Fin Nicol-Taylor - orchestrator, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, ukulele
- Flora Wong - violin, viola
- Jen Horn - accordion, piano
- Kathryn Bermingham - clarinet, baritone sax
- Lisa Kelly - harp
- Maja Salamon - flute, violin
- Steph McIntyre - drum kit
- Tristan Rogers - trumpet
Guests and collaborators
edit- apadalia - vocals, artwork
- Ashleigh Djokic - vocals, artwork
- Blaq Carrie - rap
- Kenta Hayashi - guitar
- Aurora Liddle-Christie - vocalist
- Cait Lin 凱琳 - vocalist
- L-FRESH the Lion - rap
- Loopy! 鹿皮 - vocals, artwork
- Mack Ridge - rap
- Naavikaran - spoken word
- Anisa Nandaula - spoken word
- Nardean - rap
- Rina - vocals
- Sachém - rap
- SOLCHLD - vocals, rap
- Zy The Wway - Taiwanese jazz ensemble
- 老莫 ILL MO - rap
- 春艷 - rap
References
edit- ^ a b Yen, William (2 April 2022). "INTERVIEW/Queensland Music Awards winner embraces Taiwanese-Australian identity". Central News Agency. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
- ^ a b c Hsu, Matt (18 April 2018). "Difference is magic: Matt Hsu chats his Obscure Orchestra, and the rapper he needs to complete it". Happy Mag (Interview).
- ^ "Artists: Matt Hsu". BEMAC. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
- ^ "Watch this Brisbane muso play 15 different instruments on folk-rap track". Brisbane Times. 24 November 2018.
- ^ "PREMIERE: Matt Hsu's Obscure Orchestra debuts The Shirt Album on an actual shirt". Happy Mag. 7 March 2019.
- ^ "Triple J Unearthed: Blaq Carrie". Triple J Unearthed. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
- ^ "Kenta Hayashi: The Looping Master". scenestr. 22 April 2016.
- ^ "Artist re-imagines platforms for releasing music". No Walls. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
- ^ a b "2020 Winners". Queensland Music Awards. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
- ^ "2022 Queensland Music Awards Winners". Scenestr. 29 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
- ^ "Talking Zeds interview - Matt Hsu's Obscure Orchestra". 4ZZZ. 13 January 2022. Retrieved 6 April 2010.
- ^ "25-piece live ensemble". Obscure Orchestra. Retrieved 6 April 2010.