Sybarite profile picture

Sybarite

'CUT OUT SHAPE' out now

About Me

Having previously drummed and played synthesizers for electronic music pioneers Silver Apples, Brooklyn-based multi-instrumentalist Xian Hawkins started making records under the name Sybarite in 1999, issuing a wide array of 7" singles through the Emanate, Zealectronic and Static Caravan labels. The best of these were compiled on the Placement Issues CD on Temporary Residence Limited, who also released Musicforafilm, Sybarite's soundtrack for the movie Kill Me Tomorrow.Xian made his 4AD debut in September 2002 with the Nonument album, which brought his talents as an arranger sharply into focus. The ability to combine live instruments and programmed parts into a free-breathing, organic whole always marked Sybarite apart from the electronica crowd, but Nonument's deftness was revelatory. Strings and acoustic guitars offered mellow resonance, while live drums mingled with programmed rhythms. Sybarite's palette was further widened by the introduction of trumpet (courtesy of Matt Hilgenberg) and, for the first time, vocals (by Brooke Williams and Gregory Kenney). Inspired by architecture ("Renzo Piano") and modern art ("Unica Zurn") as much as by music, the album was deeply melodic despite its many structural shifts and subtleties.The three-track Scene Of The Crime EP followed shortly afterwards, its lead track featuring guest vocals by Elysian Fields chanteuse Jennifer Charles, who had previously worked with Kid Koala, Dan the Automator and John Zorn.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 6/17/2005
Band Website: brainwashed.com/sybarite
Band Members: Xian Hawkins * with * Jenny Owen Youngs, Walter Baker, Jennifer Charles, Brooke Williams, Michael Lerner, Gregory Kenney, Alexander Ericson, Andrew Ingalls & You.
Sounds Like: 'Sybarite's "Dolorous Echo / The Mast" (Brainwashed 7") pairs two light, gloopy electronic instrumentals that sound pretty nice on a rainy night such as this one. "The Mast", in particular, has a very soothing guitar figure that purrs like a hot kitten.'Byron Coley, The Wire__________'Never has a random click and a backwards sample been deployed to such stunningly erotic effect.'-Logo Magazine, Scene of the Crime EP__________'True to the implied meaning of its title, Nonument is a brilliant collection of delicate compositions, focusing on tiny elements to build detailed constructions. Hawkins demonstrates here great qualities as a composer and producer.' 4.5/5The Milk Factory, Nonument CD__________'Hawkins manages to keep his live elements perfectly in sync with the loops scattered around each track, no matter how complex it all gets. The results are fantastic - kind of like a live band jamming over a laptop thats been kicked around too much, its hard disc glitching every time a new track or bassline comes in.'BBC, Placement Issues CD_________'Sybarite's music sounds like the inner workings for the human body. Electrical impulses shoot through wavering tones while subatomic bass notes work their way through the lower intestines, all of it tied together by the throbbing beat of a heart. It's body rock, though on a very abstract level. To create these sounds, Sybarite uses processed guitars and many different synthesizers and electronic devices. This soundtrack establishes moods from tense and jangling to slow and glacial.'The Big Takeover, musicforafilm CD__________
Record Label: 4AD / Temporary Residence / Static Caravan
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

Fresh or Not So

I've added a couple new(er) tracks to the player here - things that are unlikely to see a wider release. 'Walk Don't Run' was an exclusive for the Brainwaves comp - 'The Wait' appeared on the download...
Posted by Sybarite on Wed, 31 Oct 2007 06:21:00 PST

Limited Edition Remix 12" - available now

Been awhile since I posted here but wanted to let folks know there is a limited edition 12" now available from http://www.temporaryresidence.com - featuring two side-long, summer-jam re-mixes from Fou...
Posted by Sybarite on Wed, 20 Jun 2007 08:23:00 PST

Magic French Review

From the French Mag 'MAGIC RPM':I love when the web does the translating - new meanings abound. Modern Pop Re-examined Magic #106 (2006) SYBARITE - Cut Out Shape,(Temporary Residence/Differing)Difficu...
Posted by Sybarite on Thu, 19 Apr 2007 12:46:00 PST

New Reviews from THE WIRE & XLR8R, etc.

Some reviews for the new record:from XLRXR: Sybarite / Cut Out Shape / Temporary Residence Four years after his triumphant Nonument for 4AD, Xian Hawkins returns to Temporary Residence to take his ho...
Posted by Sybarite on Fri, 03 Nov 2006 07:29:00 PST

Seed Magazine: Science, Sybarite & Pigeons

Science & Culture Magazine - SEED - has a video feature up on their website in their 'Revolutionary Minds' series - it's on Natalie Jeremijenko, an aesthetic activist with a pigeon paradise. It's actu...
Posted by Sybarite on Thu, 25 Jan 2007 09:24:00 PST

YEAR END LOVE & THANKS

It's been a busy year - full of change & activity. 2006 saw not one, but three (!) Sybarite releases:Cut Out Shape, Other Side of the Lid, and the TRL Remix Disc.A shout out to everyone who visits her...
Posted by Sybarite on Tue, 19 Dec 2006 04:25:00 PST

TEXTURA Review

This just up from Textura.org >>Sybarite: Cut Out Shape Temporary ResidenceMaybe every recording artist should follow Sybarite's lead and only issue a new album every four years or so, especially if t...
Posted by Sybarite on Fri, 03 Nov 2006 07:23:00 PST

FREE Download Album Posted!

Fuck-Yes.I have posted a FREE download-only album of film music online. If you bought CUT OUT SHAPE there are instructions on the inside of the cd for getting access. If you buy it online (when it ac...
Posted by Sybarite on Thu, 26 Oct 2006 08:11:00 PST

'+' EP, Travels In Constants

I just found a box of these EP's that were released as part of Temporary Residence 'Travels In Constants' series. They are a limited release that were never sold in shops. There are soundclips on my w...
Posted by Sybarite on Thu, 08 Jun 2006 10:12:00 PST