Matt Hsu's Obscure Orchestra
Musical artist
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Matt Hsu is a Taiwanese-Australian musician and composer. In 2016 he began creating music as a multi-instrumentalist under the moniker Matt Hsu's Obscure Orchestra,[1] which in 2020, also became a live ensemble consisting of Brisbane indie musicians, hip-hop artists, classically trained musicians, and multi-disciplinary artists.
Matt Hsu's Obscure Orchestra | |
|---|---|
Matt Hsu's Obscure Orchestra photographed by Rod Pilbeam, 2024. | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Matt Hsu Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Genres | Experimental music, art pop, bedroom pop, Political hip hop |
| Occupations | Composer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist |
| Instruments | Trumpet, clarinet, accordion, double bass, mbira, trombone, marimba, vibraphone, percussion |
| Website | obscureorchestra.com |
Early life and education
Matt Hsu was born 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] When he was 15, he played in a metal band, rapping covers of Rage Against the Machine.[3]
Career
Hsu is known as the co-founder, trumpet player and songwriter for the folk punk band The Mouldy Lovers.[4][3]
In 2016, Hsu began composing as "Matt Hsu's Obscure Orchestra", initially as a solo project.[5]
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.[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
In 2020, Hsu became a Queensland Music Awards winner in the world music category[10]
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.
Live ensemble
Formation
In 2020, Matt established a live ensemble consisting of Brisbane indie musicians, hip-hop artists, classically trained musicians, and multi-disciplinary artists.[12] Known as Matt Hsu's Obscure Orchestra, the ensemble is "underpinned by gender equity, inclusivity and visibility",[13] 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
- Yvette Ofa Agapow - vibraphone, xylophone
- 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
- Mika Atkinson - sax
- Antonia Burwell-Rodriguez - french horn
- Sarah Probets - cello
- 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
- Ethan Enoch - 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