# Angela Seo

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American musician

Angela Seo Seo playing with Xiu Xiu in Denmark, 2017 Born Hyunhye Seo Alma mater Duke University School of Law University of California, Berkeley Occupation Musician Years active 2006–present Organization Mark Ridley-Thomas administration Title Deputy for Public Health Musical career Genres Avant-pop noise experimental electronic Occupations Singer songwriter multi-instrumentalist Instruments Vocals keyboards harmonium percussion drum machine sampler vocoder Years active 2006–present Labels Polyvinyl Kill Rock Stars Bella Union Member of Xiu Xiu XXL Deal$ Website angelaseo.com Musical artist

**Hyunhye Seo**, professionally known as **Angela Seo**, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist best known for her role in American [experimental](/source/Experimental_music) band [Xiu Xiu](/source/Xiu_Xiu).

Seo has contributed to every Xiu Xiu studio project since 2006's *[The Air Force](/source/The_Air_Force_(album)),* for which she contributed lyrics. She formally joined the band in 2009, and contributed to their next album, 2010's *[Dear God, I Hate Myself](/source/Dear_God%2C_I_Hate_Myself)*.[1]

Seo has also played in the bands Deal$ and XXL (Xiu Xiu Larsen) and played on songs by Holy Hum and Blind Cave Salamander.

## Personal life

Seo grew up in Southern California's [San Fernando Valley](/source/San_Fernando_Valley), in the same neighborhood as Xiu Xiu frontperson and lead vocalist [Jamie Stewart](/source/Jamie_Stewart_(American_musician)). Seo's parents were immigrants; she recalls both of them working four to six jobs at once. Seo has said her parents loved music and literature, but had the "[Korean idea](/source/Education_in_South_Korea)" of education and a [hard-work ethic](/source/Work_ethic).[2]

Seo and Stewart lived in [Durham, North Carolina](/source/Durham%2C_North_Carolina), while she attended the [Duke University School of Law](/source/Duke_University_School_of_Law).[3] Stewart has said that Xiu Xiu had moved to Durham to support Seo's post-graduate studies. Stewart regretted moving to Durham and grew to despise it, as did Seo.[4] Stewart has frequently called Seo their "best friend".[4]

In addition to being a member of Xiu Xiu, Seo was the Deputy for Public Health of the [Los Angeles County](/source/Los_Angeles_County%2C_California) Office of [Cannabis](/source/Cannabis) Management. She worked under the [Mark Ridley-Thomas](/source/Mark_Ridley-Thomas) administration.[5][6]

## Xiu Xiu

In 2006, Seo contributed lyrics to "Bishop, CA" and "Wig Master" off of Xiu Xiu's fifth album [*The Air Force*](/source/The_Air_Force_(album)).[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] Also in 2006, Seo took the cover photograph for *[Tu mi piaci](/source/Tu_mi_piaci).* In 2008, Seo contributed lyrics to the song "You Are Pregnant You, You Are Dead" on Xiu Xiu's sixth album *[Women as Lovers](/source/Women_as_Lovers_(album))*, also under her birthname.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

In May 2009, [Caralee McElroy](/source/Caralee_McElroy) announced her departure from Xiu Xiu, though no reason was given apart from her membership in Manhattan-based [darkwave](/source/Dark_wave) band [Cold Cave](/source/Cold_Cave).[7][8] With McElroy's absence and the absence of Xiu Xiu double bassist [Devra Hoff](/source/Devra_Hoff) who left the year prior, Jamie Stewart and [Ches Smith](/source/Ches_Smith) recruited Seo to join Xiu Xiu in late 2009. After, Xiu Xiu began to work on *[Dear God, I Hate Myself](/source/Dear_God%2C_I_Hate_Myself)*, recording in Durham and [Oakland, California](/source/Oakland%2C_California).[9] Seo inspired Stewart to shift Xiu Xiu's motifs again, and *Dear God, I Hate Myself* included elements of [chiptune](/source/Chiptune) and video game-based programming, Xiu Xiu using the [KORG DS-10](/source/KORG_DS-10) for the [Nintendo DS](/source/Nintendo_DS) to write many of the songs on the album.[10]

The music video for the title track off of 2010's *Dear God, I Hate Myself* received polarizing response online in 2010. The video consists of Seo forcing her fingers down her throat, vomiting throughout the entire video. This music video eventually climaxes as she vomits on Stewart, who has been eating a large Escazu [chocolate bar](/source/Chocolate_bar) and dancing throughout the entire video. Seo and Stewart have defended the video, stating that the video illustrates the [eating disorder](/source/Eating_disorder) subject of the song in an extreme fashion.[4]

Seo's vocals debuted on 2012's [*Always*](/source/Always_(Xiu_Xiu_album)), with her vocals being featured prominently on "Honey Suckle".[11] She continued to contribute to [*Angel Guts: Red Classroom*](/source/Angel_Guts%3A_Red_Classroom_(album)) and played a series of live shows with Stewart and Shayna Dunkelman covering [the soundtrack](/source/Soundtrack_from_Twin_Peaks) from *[Twin Peaks](/source/Twin_Peaks)*. These covers were later rerecorded into a [Record Store Day](/source/Record_Store_Day) release [*Plays The Music Of Twin Peaks*](/source/Plays_the_Music_of_Twin_Peaks).

Seo starred in the music video for the title track of 2017's *[Forget](/source/Forget_(Xiu_Xiu_album)).* In the music video, she portrays a stage musician playing the keyboard as a [heckler](/source/Heckler) yells sarcastic comments and throws banana peels at her.[12] Seo also directed the music video for "Wondering".[13] She directed the music videos for "Scisssssssors", "Pumpkin Attack On Mommy and Daddy" and "It Comes Out As A Joke" for 2019's *[Girl with Basket of Fruit](/source/Girl_with_Basket_of_Fruit)*.[14][15][16] Seo also contributes vocals on the album, and co-produced the entire album alongside [Greg Saunier](/source/Greg_Saunier) of [Deerhoof](/source/Deerhoof).[17]

Seo contributes vocals to "Fuzz Gong Fight" from 2021's *[Oh No](/source/Oh_No_(Xiu_Xiu_album))*, and directed and starred in the music videos for "A Bottle Of Rum", "Rumpus Room" and "Sad Mezcalita".[18][19][20]

## Other works

Seo's debut studio album is *Strands,* a two-sided album released on cassette and digitally on [Lawrence English](/source/Lawrence_English)'s [Room40](/source/Room40) record label on June 11, 2021. Side one of *Strands* is [dark ambient](/source/Dark_ambient) music, while side two is Seo performing unaccompanied piano.[21][22] *Strands* was recorded by Jamie Stewart at Xiu Xiu's NURSE [home studio](/source/Home_studio) and produced by Lawrence English.[22]

## Discography

Further information: [Xiu Xiu discography](/source/Xiu_Xiu_discography)

**Solo**

- *Strands* (2021)

- *Eel* (2023)

**As part of [Xiu Xiu](/source/Xiu_Xiu)**

- *[Dear God, I Hate Myself](/source/Dear_God%2C_I_Hate_Myself)* (2010)

- *[Always](/source/Always_(Xiu_Xiu_album))* (2012)

- *[Angel Guts: Red Classroom](/source/Angel_Guts%3A_Red_Classroom_(album)) (2014)*

- *[Plays the Music of Twin Peaks](/source/Plays_the_Music_of_Twin_Peaks) (2016)*

- *[Forget](/source/Forget_(Xiu_Xiu_album))* (2017)

- *[Girl with Basket of Fruit](/source/Girl_with_Basket_of_Fruit)* (2019)

- *[Oh No](/source/Oh_No_(Xiu_Xiu_album))* (2021)

- *[Ignore Grief](/source/Ignore_Grief)* (2023)

- *[13" Frank Beltrame Italian Stiletto with Bison Horn Grips](/source/13%22_Frank_Beltrame_Italian_Stiletto_with_Bison_Horn_Grips)* (2024)

**As part of XXL (Xiu Xiu Larsen)**

- *Düde* (2012)

- *Puff O'Gigio* (2018)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Howe, Brian (February 26, 2010). ["Xiu Xiu: Dear God, I Hate Myself Review"](https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/13933-dear-god-i-hate-myself/). *Pitchfork*. Retrieved April 16, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-:1_2-0)** ["Jamie Stewart and Angela Seo (Hyunhye Seo) in Xiu Xiu | Whatever Makes You Happy, I Will Never Feel Normal (but Love to Diaspora) |"](https://www.weiv.co.kr/archives/7146). *[weiv]*. February 19, 2014. Retrieved April 15, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Misir, Timothy (May 25, 2014). ["Queer Artists to Share Stage in Russian Concerts"](https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2014/05/25/queer-artists-to-share-stage-in-russian-concerts-a35774). *The Moscow Times*. Retrieved April 15, 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:0_4-2) Currin, Grayson Haver (March 14, 2012). ["The travails of Xiu Xiu leader and reluctant Durham resident Jamie Stewart"](https://indyweek.com/news/culture/music/travails-xiu-xiu-leader-reluctant-durham-resident-jamie-stewart/). *INDY Week*. Retrieved April 15, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["LA Public Health and Cannabis Management Meeting Summary 6/12/2019"](http://lapublichealth.org/sapc/coa/081419/CAODMtgMinutes061219.pdf) (PDF).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Meet the Staff"](https://web.archive.org/web/20221004131943/https://ridley-thomas.lacounty.gov/index.php/meet-the-staff/). *Mark Ridley-Thomas*. Archived from [the original](https://ridley-thomas.lacounty.gov/index.php/meet-the-staff/) on October 4, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Caralee McElroy Leaves Xiu Xiu"](https://pitchfork.com/news/35351-caralee-mcelroy-leaves-xiu-xiu/). *Pitchfork*. May 15, 2009. Retrieved April 15, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Caralee McElroy Leaves Xiu Xiu, Jamie Stewart Writes Haikus | Exclaim!"](https://exclaim.ca/music/article/caralee_mcelroy_leaves_xiu_xiu_jamie_stewart_writes_haikus). *exclaim.ca*. Retrieved April 22, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Dear God, I Hate Myself, by Xiu Xiu"](https://xiuxiu.bandcamp.com/album/dear-god-i-hate-myself). *Xiu Xiu*. Retrieved April 22, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Fallon, Patric (March 26, 2010). ["Artist Tips: Xiu Xiu"](https://xlr8r.com/gear/artist-tips-xiu-xiu/). *XLR8R*. Retrieved April 22, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Xiu Xiu's Jamie Stewart Breaks Down Dark 'Always'"](https://www.spin.com/2012/02/xiu-xius-jamie-stewart-breaks-down-dark-always/). *SPIN*. February 28, 2012. Retrieved April 16, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** [*Xiu Xiu – Forget \[OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO\]*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83EjtF5N5Hg), September 21, 2017, retrieved April 16, 2022

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** [*Xiu Xiu – Wondering \[OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO\]*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XH9PKIZEoqU), March 9, 2017, retrieved April 16, 2022

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** [*Xiu Xiu – Pumpkin Attack on Mommy and Daddy \[OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO\]*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEf9pmrRo9E), January 15, 2019, retrieved April 16, 2022

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** [*Xiu Xiu – It Comes Out as a Joke \[OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO\]*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xI2-6U1_HzA), April 5, 2019, retrieved April 16, 2022

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** [*Xiu Xiu – Scisssssssors \[OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO\]*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkK6GT4pkbU), December 6, 2018, retrieved April 16, 2022

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Xiu Xiu – Girl With Basket of Fruit – Album review"](https://www.loudandquiet.com/reviews/xiu-xiu-girl-with-basket-of-fruit/). *Loud And Quiet*. Retrieved April 16, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** [*Xiu Xiu – A Bottle of Rum \[OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO\]*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yialek4fUUg), January 27, 2021, retrieved April 16, 2022

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** [*Xiu Xiu – Rumpus Room \[OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO\]*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jspV_JajAhk), March 4, 2021, retrieved April 16, 2022

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** [*Xiu Xiu – Sad Mezcalita \[OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO\]*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpjvpFqof2w), March 26, 2021, retrieved April 16, 2022

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** Kim, Joshua Minsoo (June 21, 2021). ["Hyunhye Seo of Xiu Xiu makes her cryptic solo debut with Strands"](http://chicagoreader.com/music/hyunhye-seo-of-xiu-xiu-makes-her-cryptic-solo-debut-with-strands/). *Chicago Reader*. Retrieved April 15, 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:2_22-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:2_22-1) ["Strands, by Hyunhye Seo"](https://room40.bandcamp.com/album/strands). *Room40*. Retrieved April 15, 2022.

v t e Xiu Xiu Jamie Stewart Angela Seo David Kendrick Lauren Andrews Jherek Bischoff Yvonne Chen Cory McCulloch Caralee McElroy Sam Mickens Ches Smith Studio albums Knife Play (2002) A Promise (2003) Fabulous Muscles (2004) La Forêt (2005) The Air Force (2006) Women as Lovers (2008) Dear God, I Hate Myself (2010) Always (2012) Angel Guts: Red Classroom (2014) Forget (2017) Girl with Basket of Fruit (2019) Oh No (2021) Ignore Grief (2023) 13" Frank Beltrame Italian Stiletto with Bison Horn Grips (2024) Compilation albums Fag Patrol (2003) Xiu Mutha Fuckin' Xiu: Vol. 1 (2026) Live albums Life and Live (2005) Tribute albums Nina (2013) Plays the Music of Twin Peaks (2016) Eraserhead Xiu Xiu (2026) EPs Chapel of the Chimes (2002) Tu mi piaci (2006) Collaborations Ciautistico! Remixed & Covered ¿Spicchiology? Merzxiu Related articles Accordion Solo! Discography The Dead Science Former Ghosts

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Angela Seo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angela_Seo) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angela_Seo?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.