The xx: British minimalist indie band
British indie band The xx are bringing their sultry, minimal sound to Hong Kong, writes Amy Russell
After building up a following in Asia, one of the most critically acclaimed indie bands to emerge in recent years are making their Hong Kong debut later this month.
"We've played in Singapore and Japan before, and there was an insane response," says The xx's Jamie Smith. "But [the Asian crowd] is also very respectful - they're quiet at the right times."
We also try to create moments where people can lose themselves and … can dance
The xx's ethereal, minimalistic music has a muted quality, born during late-night recording sessions for their first album, , in a west London studio that was converted from a garage. The sound continues to define them.
Smith is better known by his stage name Jamie xx. He is a producer and successful remix artist in his own right and has reworked tracks by artists such as Radiohead and Adele. He's also more than happy that The xx's tracks are being remixed by others.
"I love it," he says. "We spend a lot of time deliberating over who we are going to get to remix tracks from our albums. After spending such a long time working on every tiny little detail in a song, it's really nice to hear somebody take it apart and do their own thing. It gives you a new view of the music you've been making."
Smith - who comes across as humble and mellow, the kind of laid-back guy you could chat to at the pub - is at the forefront of a new wave of remix artists whose reinterpretations are as important as the original recordings.