Continuing on with our spotlight on some amazing Korean indie acts, today we’d like to introduce you to a group who has garnered a lot of attention overseas, especially in North America. The group has been together since the late 90s but their most recent incarnation has been making waves. Please give it up for two-membered alt rock duo Love X Stereo!
Love X Stereo (comprised of members Annie Ko and Toby Hwang) are a two-membered alternative/electro rock duo from Seoul, South Korea. The band has gone through several name and member changes since its inception in 1998, but the current roster is the one getting the most acclaim for their progressive sound. Citing inspiration from indie rock, punk, electronic and the sound of the 90s, LxS has made a name for themselves as an act to watch for, which has given them a chance to play around the world since 2012. In the midst of their touring and recording schedule, member Annie met up with our editor in Seoul for a brief chat on what’s next for the duo.
For those who aren’t familiar with who you are, please introduce yourself briefly.We are Love X Stereo from Seoul, Korea. We do electro-alternative rock music and our music is mostly influenced by the 90s.
Your group has a very specific niche in terms of the music that influences what you create. Talk about some of the music influencing you lately.
We listen to very new indie rock music all the time. We like to listen to old stuff also. Everything inspires us in a way…so I wouldn’t say there’s a specific band or sound that influences us. These days I find it very interesting how CHVRCHES is doing right now. They’re from Scotland, and as a Scottish band I think they’re heading on a very interesting path in their career. We can learn from that, so I’d like to see what’s worked for them. These days I think the most interesting album I’ve heard recently was Tame Impala’s new stuff…it’s really cool!
Your most recent release was back in February – an EP called ‘We Love We Leave’. Talk about the meaning behind the song.
It’s the first part of two, and the second part will come out later this year. The first EP wasn’t really planned to be honest, but it just happened. We decided to add five of our old tracks that we wanted to reproduce, as well as two new songs – one of which was ‘We Love We Leave’, and the other is ‘My Anywhere’. It’s more synth-pop, and much deeper than stuff we’ve done before. It’s about our honest feelings about how people meet and how we part. The next part will have a similar concept and this album is more focused on love, the next on parting.
You just recently performed at Canadian Music Week in Toronto, which makes that your second trip to Toronto, following Indie Week two years ago. How was it performing in Canada this time around?
With our first trip for Indie Week Canada, we didn’t have very much time to prepare or perform. We were in New York and Toronto and then back to New York in 24 hours so we really didn’t have much time to enjoy Toronto. This time we had four days to spare and two gigs while we were there. Both gigs were in different venues and each had a different feel but we had a really good time in Toronto this time around.
Annie, you were also featured as a panelist earlier this month at Toronto Kpop Con. How did that come together?
Initially Bernie Cho (DFSB Kollective founder) and I had offered to be panelists but were not able to make it in person at that time, so we came up with the idea to Skype in during the panel, so that’s how we were able to be part of it.
The Korean indie has grown exponentially in the last ten years or so. Since you have been around performing for a while, what would you say has changed about the indie scene since you started performing way way back?
The Hongdae indie scene has grown and a lot of great bands have emerged…there are better bands out there now, so it’s quite inspiring. The negative part though is that we’re still figuring out where this is all going and we don’t know. It’s good and bad at the same time.
Since you have also been together as an act for well over ten, fifteen years, how was your sound and vibe evolved since your debut?We’re always evolving and now we’re down to two members. It’s more eclectic and with the next album coming up, it’s going to define how we sound like. With past releases, we experimented on the sound we wanted to have but now we’re coming to that point that our sound will be defined with our next release, and we hope to have that signature look and style.
Is there anyone in the indie scene that you’ve kept a close eye on in terms of enjoying their music or interest to collaborate with?
There’s a band I really like in Korea called Juck Juck Grunzie. That band is always such an inspiration. They’re comprised of three girls and one guy and they do stuff that nobody does, musically speaking. I also love Rock & Roll Radio, From The Airport, and many others.
Can fans expect more original material from you soon?
Hopefully this fall, but we’re not sure right now.
What else do you have planned for the rest of the year, in terms of shows abroad or anything like that?
Right now it all depends on how well our next EP does, so nothing solid for the rest of the year has been decided yet but we’re hoping to meet our fans again soon.
When you have spare time, what do you do to relax?
Biking, listening to music or watching Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D!
What is your guilty pleasure currently? It can be anything!
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D! It’s really good~
What are your five most played songs currently?
“Mouthful of Diamonds” by Phantogram, “All of My Friends” by LCD Soundsystem, “Hey Now” by London Grammer, “Californian Grass” by New Order, and “Wings” by Haerts.
Name one thing that fans may not already know about you.
Whenever we tour overseas, we’re very eager to see other artists perform. We had the chance to see Death Cab for Cutie this year.
Any advice for aspiring indie artists?You have to define your style, that’s the key.
Any final words for the readers?
Hi everyone! Hope you guys like our music. You can find it on Soundcloud and YouTube. Our latest music video rocks, so make sure to check it out!
Many thanks to Annie for taking the time to talk with us. Anticipate their next release later this year. As always, this has been a rhythm.connection exclusive!
![2017년 여름, 세상에서 가장 사랑하는 시트콤 @friends 의 제작자인 케빈 브라이트의 다큐멘터리를 위해 통역 리드를 담당했었는데요~
그 '누렁이'가 바로 내일 유툽에 무료 상영됩니다 🐶
@nureongimovie 👉 [프로필링크]
저희 반려견 디제이와 같은 한국 식용견들의 실태와 이를 바라보는 한국의 전체적인 시선들을 최대한 객관적으로 담으려 흔적들이 보이는 영화이니,
관심 많이 가져주시고 내일 관람 부탁드려요 💕
TMRW, documentary 'Nureogi' will be revealed on YouTube 👉 [LinkInBio]
It shows all aspects of the dog meat industry in Korea with a neutrual point of view 🙏
It was an amazing experience to meet Kevin, Claudia, @cbright77 @tjo518 @dove_project @hopethemeatdog @seanthebradley @teabilli @jordansal411 @lovimi @miti_park @gimzunho @sharkk_89 @stever13 @dannyseoul and every single crew involved in this documentary 💜
#누렁이 #영화누렁이 #이제결정할때입니다
미국 시트콤 ‘프렌즈’ 제작자 케빈 브라이트,
한국 개고기 산업 다룬 다큐멘터리 영화 ‘누렁이’ 선보여
7일 서울환경영화제서 월드 프리미어 가진 후 10일부터 유튜브 통해 무료 개봉
6월 7일, 서울 – 전세계적으로 선풍적인 인기를 끌었던 미국 시트콤 ‘프렌즈(Friends)’의 제작자 케빈 브라이트(Kevin S. Bright) 감독이, 한국 개고기 산업을 다룬 다큐멘터리 ‘누렁이’를 제작해 한국에서 세계 최초로 선보인다. 영화 ‘누렁이’는 6월 7일 제18회 서울환경영화제에서 상영된 후 오는 10일부터 공식 유튜브 채널을 통해 무료 개봉된다.
케빈 브라이트 감독은 ‘프렌즈’ 오리지널 시리즈뿐 아니라, 최근 HBO Max에서 드라마 종영 16년 만에 방영되어 화제를 모았던 ‘프렌즈: 리유니언(Friends: The Reunion)’ 제작에도 참여하는 등 제작자로서 명성을 공고히 해왔다. 또한 다큐멘터리 감독으로도 활발히 활동해 사우스 바이 사우스웨스트(SXSW, South by Southwest) 영화제, 낸터킷 영화제, 보스턴 영화제 등에서 수상하며 영화 감독으로도 이름을 알려왔다.
이번에 소개되는 ‘누렁이’는 한국의 개고기 소비 문화를 조명하는 다큐멘터리 영화로, 감독이 미국과 한국을 약 4년간 직접 오가며 취재한 내용을 담았다. 개 농장주와 식용견 판매업자부터, 육견협회 관계자, 대학 영양학과 교수, 국회의원, 수의사, 동물보호 운동가, 유기견 입양자 등에 이르기까지 다양한 이해관계자들을 인터뷰해 균형 잡힌 시각을 담으려 했다.
영화 ‘누렁이’는 6월 7일 서울환경영화제 디지털 상영관에서 처음 소개된다. 서울환경영화제 디지털 상영관 로그인 후 관람 신청을 하면 7일 오전 10시부터 24시간 동안 횟수 제한 없이 관람 가능하다.
또한 6월 10일부터 공식 유튜브 채널 ‘누렁이(Nureongi)’를 통해 무료 공개된다.
케빈 브라이트 감독은 “한국을 사랑하는 사람으로서 한국 현대문화에서 개고기 산업이 굉장히 복잡한 문제라는 것을 이해하고 있다”며, “코로나19 사태로 영화관 관람이 제한적인 상황을 고려해 보다 많은 사람들이 볼 수 있도록 유튜브 공개를 결정하게 됐다”고 말했다. 또한 “이 영화를 통해 한국 개고기 산업의 현실과 미래에 대해 함께 논의할 수 있는 장이 열리길 바란다”고 기대를 밝혔다.](https://i0.wp.com/lovexstereo.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png?w=800&ssl=1)
