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Matt Hsu's Obscure Orchestra
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 educationMatt Hsu was born in 1986 to immigrant Taiwanese parents in Brisbane.[1] 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.[1] When he was 15, he played in a metal band, rapping covers of Rage Against The Machine.[2] CareerHsu is known as the co-founder, trumpet player and songwriter for the folk punk band The Mouldy Lovers.[3][2] In 2018, Hsu started establishing "Matt Hsu's Obscure Orchestra".[4] 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.[5] The album features collaborations with noted Tibetan musician Tenzin Choegyal, Triple J Unearthed Sprung Hip Hop winner Blaq Carrie,[6] and Japanese musician Kenta Hayashi,[7] Emily Wurramara has provided vocals on one of his projects.[2] As a "one-person orchestra" he has performed at TEDx and Australia's BIGSOUND Festival, and has been featured on SBS World News,[8] and ABC's Art Works. AwardsQueensland Music AwardsIn 2020, Hsu became a Queensland Music Awards winner in the world music category[9] 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.
Live ensemble  FormationIn 2020, Matt established a live ensemble consisting of Brisbane indie musicians, hip-hop artists, classically trained musicians, and multi-disciplinary artists.[11] Known as Matt Hsu's Obscure Orchestra, the ensemble is "underpinned by gender equity, inclusivity and visibility",[12] and currently[when?] comprises 25 core members and frequent guest vocalists, which include culturally diverse, First Nations, disabled, transgender and non-binary artists. Core members
Reserve members
Past members
Guests and collaborators
References
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