SA: What means Xiu Xiu?

XX: it is the name of a character from the movie xiu xiu the sent down girl.

SA: Many times while listening to your records, I kept thinking: why this guy decided to express his emotions with this kind of music? I mean, you might as well play death metal or hardcore techno or Nashville-tinged country music saying the same things? Have you ever imagined a country version or a techno version of "Knife Play"?

XX: it is funny you should mention that as house music and techno were the main influence for us emotionally when we started. i was going to a lot of dance clubs by myself and finding that the music was so open and direct and bare and often heart wrenching and so many different kinds of people got drunk and danced until they could barely walk, myself included, trying to use this music to not be so lonely or to make some sense out of life. it made a huge impression on me.

SA: Sometimes Xiu Xiu sound to me like Ian Curtis singing Folk Implosion's early lo-fi stuff. Do you agree with this kind of feeling?

XX: i am always hestiant to assert my own opinions of what we sound like but i will say that i liked that one folk implosion record with the cartoon dog on the front and love joy division.

SA: Where do you place yourself within the artistic scene?

XX: oh ummmm..... i am not sure how to answer that. aside from going on tour and going to friends shows i do not go out that much and i do not read any of our press lest my head get huge or my heart crushed. right now we are just focusing or trying to make music and not really paying too much attention to things like that.

SA: Do you work only with music or do you experiment with images, film or video, theatre? If so, how do you mix your music with other artistic fields?

XX: we haven't yet. we can barely make music.

SA:Who creates the artwork on your CDs? Is there a common theme that links all of them?

XX: the european label Tomlab uses a particular designer for us named jorg who is wonderful. we just let him do his thing. for the US label 5RC we have had may different people make them. i would not say there is a theme beyond hoping that the cover in some way reflects the emotion of the music. i wish we were more savvy or forward looking and had a grand puzzle. there is a story behind each cover but they are not releated behind what i had said.

SA: In the last few years you have grown up as a man and an artist. Fabulous Muscles is still the record that represents you as you are today or you have already moved forward?

XX: both i think. the songs on that record are vry relevant to me now and we are working on a new record and trying to make new ideas and sounds and feelings.

SA: Tell me about your experience with Tomlab. Do you know other artists on this label's roster?

XX: i only know foncia, yoshio machida and owen from Casiotone For The Painfully Alone personally but i am a huge fan of the whole roster. artistically it is an excellent label. tom and jan are superb men. we have spent a fair amount of time together from tours in europe and japan and also just getting drunk and dancing. i love them both.

SA: Which is your perfect breakfast while on tour? You can tell more than one item if you like.

XX:watermelon, tofu and fruit and soy milkshake and wheat toast. you have to stay healthy on tour.

SA: Which is your ultimate high?

XX:meth

SA:Let's try to imagine an "indie-rock" version of Big Brother. You are one of the lucky (?) participants. Who are the others and who wins?

XX:oh man.... bjork, nick cave, lou harrison, greg saunier the drummer from deerhoof, diamanda galas, yo yo yo eye from the boredoms and mark e smith. there is no question in my mind that ms. galas would be the victor.

SA:Which is your least favourite record in your career and why?

XX: the ones from bands before xiu xiu.

SA: In order to introduce our readers to your musical taste, why don't you tell them your all-time favourite playlist?

XX:oh that will be hard i will feel guilty if i miss anything but here are a few with no internal pressure not insult the gods. arvo part, the smiths, gamelan music, stax records, sun records, omd, lots of dance musics, nusrat fateh ali khan, 7 year rabbit cycle, gorekyi, the swans, 4AD bands, shostakovich, 60s and 70s ska and reggae, new order/joy division, derek bailey, das yellow swans, dalek, nick drake and other assorted depressed folkies, the suspiscious minds by elvis, bryan ferry/roxy music, pj harvey and otis redding. more and more and more.........

SA: Touring is a different way of meeting people and seeing places. Which place in the world impressed you the most and why?

XX:CATANIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SA:Which are your memories about the audience of your last italian tour?

XX: it was wonderful. we were so touched by how generous and sweet and forthcoming and genuine everyone was.

SA:Would you like to say anything in particular or speak of someone you love to SuccoAcido readers?

XX: hello rosie, antonio and luca!!!!!!!!!!!!

SA: Last question: Who is Jamie Stewart?

XX: i am captain this evening. we will be flying at an altitude of 5 meters in a euro90000 SMX 9 million passenger jumbo cargo and carnival jet. i cannot attest to my piloting skills but we are not flying that high off the ground so don't worry and have an pleasant flight. we will be arriving in tierra de fuego in 7 about hours give or take.