“What do you get when you mix synthesizers, theremins, traditional folk instruments, and electronic drums with a multitalented, multicultural, classically trained keyboardist (with a degree in electronic music) and a New York jazz drummer?
The answer is Xenovibes (founder-composer Shueh-li Ong and, USA core member-percussionist John A Martinez.)” ~ Mike Levine, editor, Electronic Musician magazine.
[For Shueh-li’s latest adventures, read her Blog]
IN THE BEGINNING – foreign+expressions
Created in 2003, Xenovibes began as the sonic melange of Shueh-li Ong “Singapore’s 1st and only diva of the theremin”.
Conjoining her Australian-Asian heritage with her classical-music tech training, XV is also the ‘stage’ on which she lets down her hair down in virtuosic synthesizer performance. XV is synonymous with the faces of Shueh-li & Dallas based percussionist, John Anthony Martinez, the group’s other core touring member since its premier in 2004, which witnessed the release of the CD & show ideal.
The CDs bear Ong’s sound design, composition/studio production style whilst the shows carry the passion & aggression of live performance. XV features guest artists in performance.
THE SHOW – disparate musical souls coming together in a stream of consciousness exchange.
Visualise Shueh-li stroking the ego of her Theremin, tin-whistles and guqin, and executing extended synth techniques alongside John’s drumming savoir faire. Then a slew of artists collide in a stream of consciousness exchange of Classical, Ethnic, Electronic, Funk, Psychedelic rock and Latin rhythms!
To complement the core band of Shueh-li and John, artistes are selected from the city Xenovibes performs in, who possess the discipline of classical training and the flexibility of jazz performance.
THE LIFESTYLE – ancient art meets new world technology, east meets west.
XV promotes the conjoining of the past with the present to preserve the future in a powerful message, sans frontieres. The noun Xenovibes and its lifestyle concept came about from Shueh-li’s need to explain the way she brings together her heritage, influences, training and philosophy in her work as an instrument builder, composer, playwright, performer and producer.
Artists who have played &/or recorded with Xenovibes include :
| Dean Parks ~ Guitar [Steely Dan, Madonna, Bocelli, J Lo, Celine Dion and movies; Home Alone 2, BowFinger, Mummy Returns etc] Bill Ham ~ Guitar Jeff Long ~ Guitar Boo (Jerry) Massey ~ Guitar Shelley Carrol ~ Saxophone and Flute Jeremy Bustillos ~ Ewi (electronic wind) FACE – DJ, Keys, trumpet Jennifer Perryman ~ Keys |
Curtis Randall ~ Bass [Band director for LeAnn Rimes during the height of her career] Mike McKinney ~ Bass Chuck Smith ~ Bass George Anderson ~ Bass Bernard Wright ~ Keys Michael Spicer ~ Keys, flute and electronic wind [Redgum Australia, Electric Muse Singapore] Tyrone Smith ~ Keys |