Ancient art meets new world technology – a band, a show, a lifestyle
Xenovibes began as the sonic melange of Shueh-li Ong “Singapore’s 1st and only diva of the theremin” ~ Straits Times SG 2004.. The albums bear her sound design, composition/studio production style whilst the shows carry the passion and aggression of live performance.
About
The band – foreign+expressions
Conjoining her Australian-Asian heritage with her classical-music tech training, Xenovibes is the stage on which she lets her hair down in virtuosic synthesizer performance. Xenovibes is synonymous with the faces of Shueh-li and Dallas-based percussionist, John A Martinez. John is the group’s core touring member since participating in its premiere in 2004.
The lifestyle — ancient art meets new world technology, east meets west.
Xenovibes promotes the conjoining of the past with the present to preserve the future. The noun Xenovibes [foreign+expressions] 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.
The show — disparate musical souls come 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!
Shueh-li’s Xenovibes
@ Eisemann Ctr, TX 2006
“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 N.Y. jazz drummer? The answer is Xenovibes.”
Mike Levine, Electronic Musician magazine. 2007
“I felt like I was in New York or Chicago; the energy and want of the crowd because the performance was so addictive and interesting.”
Art Monthly Australia. 2004
Artists who have played &/or recorded with Xenovibes
To complement the core band of Shueh-li and John, artists are selected from whichever city Xenovibes performs in.
Dean Parks ~ Guitar [Steely Dan, Madonna, Bocelli, J Lo, Celine Dion, Lyle Lovett, Home Alone 2, BowFinger, Mummy Returns]
Curtis Randall ~ Bass [Band director for LeAnn Rimes]
Mike McKinney ~ Bass [Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Michael Murphy, The Jacksons Live album, Dave Grusin, Sergio Mendes]
Jeff Long ~ Guitar [RadioActive Singapore, BMG-Zomba Asia licensing Manager]
Jennifer Perryman ~ Keys [Mars Hill Band]
Chuck Smith ~ Bass [Najee, Joe McBride, Pamela Williams, Kirk Whalum, Kenny Blake,t Jeff Lorber]
George Anderson ~ Bass [Marilyn McCoo, Jennifer Holliday, Ricardo Arjona]
Bill Ham ~ Guitar [Israfel, The Yellow Payges, Sonny and Cher Show, Toto, David Gates & Bread, Freddie Fender, Joan Armatrading]
Tyrone Smith ~ Keys [Boney James, Regina Belle, Doc Severinsen, Jonathan Butler, Kirk Whalum, Kenny Rogers, Al Green, Johnnie Taylor, Alex Bugnon]
Shelley Carrol ~ Saxophone and Flute [Duke Ellington Orchestra, Maureen McGovern, Benny Golson Big Band, Roger Waters ]
Bernard Wright ~ Keys [Lenny White, Erykah Baduh, Tom Browne, Marcus Miller, Miles Davis, Bobby Brown, Roberta Flack. He was signed to GRP, Arista and Manhattan/EMI]
FACE – DJ, Keys, trumpet [FACE Recording Band]
Boo (Jerry) Massey ~ Guitar [Ronnie Laws, Tom Browne, Jim Carne, John Lamonica]
Current Status
Xenovibes went on hiatus after the release of their/Shueh-li’s 3rd album Xing Paths.
Shueh-li journeyed on to Nashville to work on a new album, whilst John pursued other projects.
Appearances
2004
TXA 21 TV
27 Feb 07, Interview on The Daily Buzz with Rance Adams.
Re: Listening Party Music From Another Land. U.S.
2004
KNON Texas Radio FM 89.3
Interview on Rocket Radio 26 Nov 04, 12am – 4am.
Re: Xenovibes in America.
U.S.
2004
Radio Singapore International AM 9600
Singapop with Chris Ho.
Part 1: on 12/2/04, 16/2/04
Part 2: on 19/2/04, 23/2/04.
Re: Shueh-li’s Xenovibes the CD release.
2004
WKRZ91.3FM (Singapore)
Interview recorded at the ArtHouse@OPH. 18 Feb 04 9am and 1pm.
2005
DCTV USA
Interview on Local Exposure
9/10/05, 10/17/05, 10/18/05, 10/20/05, 10/31/05, 1/11/05, 1/01/06, 1/06/06. 2/27/06, 3/05/06, 3/12/06, 4/26/06, 7/25/06, 7/31/06
2005
Radio Hot Pepper 1220AM
29 Oct 05. Interview on Politically Incorrect, Producer: Parvez Malik (South Asian Radio). U.S.
2006
Music Row meets Greek Row
5 April 06. University of Texas Arlington, on the panel of The Business of Music. U.S.
.
2005
Net-Radio PNRN
Interview Producer: David Vesel
1) Spellbound – a brief program of music for theremin
2) Escape from Noise – a program featuring vocal electronica music
2005
Shueh-li’s Xenovibes – U.S. debut
21 Jan 05, 10pm-12am, Dallas Museum of Art
– In conjunction with DMA’s 102 birthday celebrations and unveiling of touring exhibit Splendors of China’s Forbidden City.
2005
Xenovibes’ Fall05 Dallas Tour
1 Oct 05, 8pm, Hill Performance Hall @ Eisemann Ctr
– 22 Sept 05 Palace Tre
– 16 Sept 05 Dallas Museum of Art.
In conjunction with main exhibit East meets West.
– 10 September 05, 3pm, DMA. In conjunction with Exotic East and Wild West.
2005
Animusic
A tribute to Anime
– 27 August 05, 3pm, Dallas Museum of Art, U.S.
.
2006
SONG FACE JAM, Xenovibes remixed
29 April & 27 May 06. With resident DJ FACE, in a night of “live underground”.
Velvet Hookah, Addison TX, U.S.
2006
Out of the Loop Festival
11 March 06, 8pm, Main Stage, WaterTower Theatre Addison TX, U.S.
2006
The Special Event
13 Jan 06, Adam Marks Hotel, U.S.
2008
Rotary Club Singapore
23 June 08, Presentation Speech.
.
2007
Deep Ellum Arts Festival
7 April 07. TX, U.S.
2007
Liquid Lounge
17 May 07. TX, U.S.
2007
Amsterdam Bar
2 June 07. 10:30PM. Presented by KNON’s Rocket Radio. U.S.
2007
CODE Festival
2 June 07. 7:30PM. TX, U.S.
.
2007
Music From Another Land CD – release party
28 Feb 07, Pawn Art Gallery. TX, U.S.
2007
Liquid Lounge
17 May 07. TX, U.S.
2007
Moogfest
22 Sept 07, 7:30pm, BB King Blues Club NYC.
– Also featuring Herb Deutsch, Thomas Dolby, Jordan Rudess of Dream Theatre, Neil Alexander, T Lavitz of Dizzie Dregs, Don Preston of Frank Zappa, Spiraling, Adam Holzman of Miles Davis. NY, U.S.
2007
the Next Great American Band
– Texas Stadium 5 Aug 07
– Las Vegas 19-22 Aug 07
2007
Thin Line Film Festival’s Closing ceremony
2 Sept 07, 8pm, Civic Ctr Denton, TX, U.S.
2008
EtherMusicFest08
“Xenovibes Analysed” Workshops – 25 & 26 April 08, The Orange Peel
“Xenovibes the Show” festival finale – 26 April 08 10:30pm, The Orange Peel
Pic Pic Pic
– Also featuring Lydia Kavina, Dorit Chrysler, Carolina Eyck, Randy George, Kevin Kissinger & the Ether Orch. NC, U.S.
2008
Xenovibes Return to Singapore Tour
20-22 June 8pm 08, Old Parliament House
– Guest of honour: Australian High Commissioner and local celebrities
.
2008
AUIAC Gala Dinner
12 June 08 7:30pm, Marina Mandarin Singapore.
– Guest of honour: President of Singapore
2008
MultiCultural Musical Night
14 June 08 8pm, Meyer Community Singapore
– Guest of honour: MP Lim Biow Chuan
2008
Grapevine Opry 21st Anniversary Show
15 Nov 08. Program & Pic. Shueh-li premiered on theremin, Floyd Cramer’s Last Date and the country song Sweet Talker that she wrote specially for this event.
– Shueh-li also played tin-whistle on Bluegrass songs Foggy Mountain Breakdown and Liberty. TX, U.S.
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2017
Xenovibes Reunites
Mini Tour 2017, Dallas, Nashville, Asheville, U.S.