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 (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 |
Matt Hsu is a Taiwanese-Australian musician and composer who records and performs as Matt Hsu's Obscure Orchestra.[1] Hsu was born in 1986 to immigrant Taiwanese parents in Brisbane.[2] 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.[2] In 2020, he became a Queensland Music Awards winner in the world music category[3] and has been identified as "one of the freshest feeling projects in Australian music right now."[4] Matt is also known as the co-founder, trumpet player and songwriter for the folk punk band The Mouldy Lovers.[5] Matt's 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.[6] The album features collaborations with noted Tibetan musician Tenzin Choegyal, Triple J Unearthed Sprung Hip Hop winner Blaq Carrie,[7] and Japanese musician Kenta Hayashi.[8] As a 'one-person orchestra' he has performed at TEDx and Australia's BIGSOUND Festival, and has been featured on SBS World News,[9] and ABC's Art Works.
Awards
Queensland Music Awards
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 | [3] |
2022 | "Welcome to the Neighbourhood" (Taiwanese: 就當家裡) | World Award of the Year | Won | [10] |
Live ensemble
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0f/Matt_Hsu%27s_Obscure_Orchestra_ensemble_2022.png/220px-Matt_Hsu%27s_Obscure_Orchestra_ensemble_2022.png)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f1/Matt_Hsu%27s_Obscure_Orchestra_ensemble_performing_at_BEMAC_LIVE_2024.jpg/220px-Matt_Hsu%27s_Obscure_Orchestra_ensemble_performing_at_BEMAC_LIVE_2024.jpg)
Formation
In 2020, Matt established a live ensemble consisting of Brisbane indie musicians, hip-hop artists, classically trained musicians, and multi-disciplinary artists.[11] Also referred to as Matt Hsu's Obscure Orchestra, the ensemble is "underpinned by gender equity, inclusivity and visibility",[12] and currently comprises 25 core members and frequent guest vocalists, which include culturally diverse, First Nations, disabled, transgender and non-binary artists.
Members
- 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
- Sarah Probets - cello
- Antonia Burwell-Rodriguez - french horn
- Clair Wheatley - clarinet
Past members
- 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
- 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
- ^ "Watch this Brisbane muso play 15 different instruments on folk-rap track". Brisbane Times. 24 November 2018.
- ^ 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 "2020 Winners". Queensland Music Awards. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
- ^ "Difference is magic: Matt Hsu chats his Obscure Orchestra, and the rapper he needs to complete it". Happy Mag. 18 April 2018.
- ^ "Artists: Matt Hsu". BEMAC. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.