| Matt Hsu's Obscure Orchestra | |
|---|---|
 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. 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.
Early life and education
Matt Hsu was born in 1986 to immigrant Taiwanese parents in Brisbane.
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. When he was 15, he played in a metal band, rapping covers of Rage Against The Machine.
Career
Hsu is known as the co-founder, trumpet player and songwriter for the folk punk band The Mouldy Lovers.
In 2018, Hsu started establishing "Matt Hsu's Obscure Orchestra".
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. The album features collaborations with noted Tibetan musician Tenzin Choegyal, Triple J Unearthed Sprung Hip Hop winner Blaq Carrie, and Japanese musician Kenta Hayashi,
Emily Wurramara has provided vocals on one of his projects.
As a "one-person orchestra" he has performed at TEDx and Australia's BIGSOUND Festival, and has been featured on SBS World News, and ABC's Art Works.
Awards
Queensland Music Awards
In 2020, Hsu became a Queensland Music Awards winner in the world music category
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 | |
| 2022 | "Welcome to the Neighbourhood" (Taiwanese: 就當家裡) | World Award of the Year | Won |
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. Known as Matt Hsu's Obscure Orchestra, the ensemble is "underpinned by gender equity, inclusivity and visibility", and currently 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
- 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
- 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
References
- ^ Yen, William (2 April 2022). "INTERVIEW/Queensland Music Awards winner embraces Taiwanese-Australian identity". Central News Agency. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.