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.
Matt Hsu's Obscure Orchestra | |
|---|---|
 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 |
Awards edit
Queensland Music Awards edit
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 edit
Formation edit
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 20 core members and frequent guest vocalists, which include culturally diverse, First Nations, disabled, transgender and non-binary artists.
Members edit
- Yvette Ofa Agapow - vibraphone, xylophone
- Kathryn Bermingham - clarinet, baritone sax
- Laura Hjortshoj-Haller - french horn
- Lisa Kelly - harp
- Jen Horn - accordion, piano
- Matt Hsu - composer, orchestrator, vocals, trumpet, clarinet, musical saw, shakuhachi, t'rung, found objects
- Andrew Humphreys - trumpet, trombone, euphonium, ukulele
- Courts Lovell - clarinet, soprano sax
- Fin Nicol-Taylor - orchestrator, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, ukulele
- Lucie Pegna - vocals
- Katie Randall - drum kit
- Hannah Reardon-Smith - flute, bass flute
- Saro Roro - vocals
- Jodie Rottle - flute, found objects
- Jonathan Sriranganathan - tenor sax, vocals
- Kaya Tominaga - taiko, rap, toy piano, ukulele, bongos
- Caroline Townsend - double bass
- Fiona Wheeler - trombone, slide trumpet, ukulele, vocals
- Flora Wong - violin, viola
Past members edit
- Aimee Harris - harp, viola
- Steph McIntyre - drum kit
- Maja Salamon - flute, violin
- Alice Wheeler - trumpet
Guests and collaborators edit
- apadalia - vocals, artwork
- Ashleigh Djokic - vocals, artwork
- Blaq Carrie - rap
- Tenzin Choegyal - vocals, dranyen, limbu
- Kenta Hayashi - guitar
- L-FRESH the Lion - rap
- Loopy! 鹿皮 - vocals, artwork
- Mack Ridge - rap
- Naavikaran - spoken word
- Anisa Nandaula - spoken word
- Nardean - rap
- Nima Doostkhah - rap
- Rina - vocals
- Sachém - rap
- SOLCHLD - vocals, rap
References edit
- ^ "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.
- ^ "20-piece live ensemble". Obscure Orchestra. Retrieved 6 April 2010.