LOVE X STEREO

"Love X Stereo is the band K-Pop Night Out was made for, an act that international listeners would be open to if they knew it existed." - The New York Post

"Frontwoman Annie Ko possesses a girlish, fairytale whisper that lends itself to CHVRCHES comparisons. But while the Scottish band floats like an electronic butterfly, Love X Stereo stings like a rock ‘n’ roll bee."


Name: Love X Stereo (Annie Ko, Toby, Sol Han)
Where They’re From: Seoul, Korea
Genre: Post John Hughes pop/rock
For Fans Of: CHVRCHES, The Cardigans, Garbage
Sounds Like: Optimism

Love X Stereo promises two things: love, and (of course), stereo. The trio’s third EP Glow delivers all that their name implies. Over four tracks and a handful of remixes, the Seoul, Korea-based band manages to wrap the spectrum of youthful angst (including, but not limited to, loneliness, romance, and a desire for transcendence) into a candy-coated, easy to swallow pill. It’s like your mom always said—a spoon full of optimistic indie pop/rock helps the medicine go down.

Frontwoman Annie Ko possesses a girlish, fairytale whisper that lends itself to CHVRCHES comparisons. But while the Scottish band floats like an electronic butterfly, Love X Stereo stings like a rock ‘n’ roll bee. The band inhabits a space just post John Hughes. The high school exams have been passed. The boy (or girl) has been won. But as we all know, that’s just the end of act one. Love X Stereo is standing by for when adult emotions flood in. Their effervescent blend of grit and grace is here to remind us that no matter what life throws at you, you’re badass enough to take it in stride. But you might want to start by dancing it out…

Glow is out now. – Words by Laura Studarus - MTV Iggy

"A rising star in the Korean indie rock scene, Love X Stereo combines dance beats and a love of 90s alt rock."



Indie Spotlight: Love X Stereo
by Elford Alley
October 12, 2013

In Riffraf’s Indie Spotlight, we feature talented indie artists from around the world who create music, record, and tour without the support of a major label or financial backing.

A rising star in the Korean indie rock scene, Love X Stereo combines dance beats and a love of 90s alt rock. They will embark on their first American tour this fall, promoting their new EP, Glow.

Today, we’re talking with lead singer Annie Ko about influences, underrated albums and preparing for their upcoming tour.

You’ve described your sound as 90s alt rock infused with dance music. Is it difficult to find the balance between those two styles?

To be clear, our music is more alternative rock than dance. We’re using various dance beat to make alternative music sound more unique. So you can easily find hints of punk, grunge, shoegazing, etc. in our music. Maybe others might disagree, but we believe our music is more “rock” in that way.

What are some of your biggest influences, music or otherwise?

Mostly 90s alternative, 80s new wave/synth pop and 80-90’s electronic music. But really, we get influenced by any type of music from blues to psychedelic. Whatever is good, we take in without any prejudice.

Do you think being an independent artist offers more freedom in what you write and record?

We get to write, record, mix, master, produce, design, and sell the way we want to. That’s a major plus. But in order to do that well, we need to dedicate a lot of time and energy. So honestly, it’s really not that easy.

What’s an underrated album everyone should listen to at least once?

In Korea, we think “My Bloody Valentine” is surprisingly underrated. The critics really hate them here. Mainly because you really can’t hear the lyrics clearly (both in their albums or on their shows). We think Shin Joong-hyun is seriously underrated in both Korea and overseas. He’s the pioneer of Korean psychedelic rock, and one of the best guitarist of all time. This legendary rocker recently received a specially-crafted tribute guitar from Fender Musical Instruments Corp. And if you know his music well enough, you can easily find out that The Black Keys were heavily influenced by this man’s music.

What has been one of your strangest and/or most interesting gigs?

We think our upcoming gigs in The States and Canada will be very, very interesting. It’s still kinda hard to believe that it’s all happening. We’re bringing our best sound possible.

You guys will be embarking on your first US tour this fall, what are some of the unexpected challenges of planning a tour?

Everything is so challenging. We don’t have management to handle all the details, so it’s pretty tough from top to bottom. Until we finally take off, guess it’ll be challenging all the way.

What was the songwriting process like for the new EP Glow?

We didn’t have much time to think, actually. We’re changing our live system completely for this tour, and we’re producing our new EP album at the same time, so time is of the essence. But the new songs are the best ones we ever created so far! Very excited.

What’s next?

We hope this tour will help us break through, and enable us to meet our new fans all around the globe. We’ll keep on making quality music and none stop performing to engage the world. You’ll see us in your neighborhood very soon!



Read more: http://www.riffraf.net/2013/10/indie-spotlight-love-x-stereo/#ixzz3AvmSRP8U - RiffRaf Magazine

"They may draw from the sound of alt and punk rock from the 90’s, but with a modernized electronic production and lead singer Annie’s powerful, yet girly voice, Love X Stereo has a sound that’s all their own."


This week, we're taking you across the world as part of our Four on the Floor series with some SXSW 2014 artists hailing all the way fromSeoul, South Korea. A mix of SXSW veterans and newcomers, these guys are a testament to the thriving electro-pop, rock and indie scenes in this beautiful modern city.

Stay tuned for four more artists to rock your Seoul this coming Thursday.

LOVE X STEREO

They may draw from the sound of alt and punk rock from the 90’s, but with a modernized electronic production and lead singer Annie’s powerful, yet girly voice, Love X Stereo has a sound that’s all their own.
RIYL: Cults, Garbage, Phantogram - SXSW

"For the most part, the project is upbeat with honest melodies and lyrics. I’d recommend Love X Stereo to anyone who has affinity for Alternative Rock and Electronic/Dance music."


GLOW
Artist: Love X Stereo

Songwriting - 3.4 || Music - 3.25 || Vocals - 3.5
Web: www.lovexstereo.com
Location: Seoul Korea
Genre: Alternative Dance (Electro / Rock / Alternative)

Haling from the city of Seoul (Korea that is), Love X Stereo’s brings forth a brand new EP release titled “Glow,” which is set for release on September 26 (2013). The sound on this project is a cross pollination of several genres that can only be summed up as Alternative Dance. It is Love X Stereo’s uniqueness that makes their new 7 track EP such a fun and interesting project.

My favorite song on this project is “Soul City (John Gaska Remix)” because it has a great deal of club potential for U.S. markets. It’s a synth-pop groove that could easily feature Will.I.Am on the track, which could bring a lot of great exposure for this band. Right out of the gate the track grabs you with its awesome pop/electronic beat that is heavily laced with synthesizers to provide the necessary bed of melodies. This particular remix of Soul City will get the party started for just about anybody.

In addition, songs like “Lose To Win” and “Secrets” round the project out very well and I couldn’t help but enjoy the projects rainbow of sounds and styles. For the most part, the project is upbeat with honest melodies and lyrics. I’d recommend Love X Stereo to anyone who has affinity for Alternative Rock and Electronic/Dance music.

Love X Stereo is scheduled to appear at a number of U.S. and Canadian music festivals and venues this fall. Don’t miss them! Visit their website to see when they’ll be in your area.

Connect with this artist online:
FACEBOOK- www.facebook.com/lovexstereo
TWITTER - twitter.com/lovexstereo

Review by: Senseitional (Reviews Editor, I Am Entertainment) - I Am Entertainment

"Indeed, one readily detects everything from Smashing Pumpkins, U2 and My Bloody Valentine to classic ‘60s girl-group, spacey ‘70s Prog and poppy ‘80s nu-psychedelia in the band’s sound – check, for example, signature track “Soul City” (aka “Seoul City” for a sleek sample of the impressive instrumentation and vocalist Annie’s sensual croon."



Latest pick of cool emerging artist in our ongoing collaboration with Sonicbids.

By Fred Mills

The BLURT staff put our heads (and ears) together and we have the latest pick for our Blurt/Sonicbids “Best Kept Secret”: it’s Love X Stereo, from Seoul, South Korea. This makes our 22nd BKS selection since commencing the program of spotlighting new and under-the-radar artists back in 2008.

The group is described in its bio as “an electro rock band… authentic electronic music based in alternative and punk rock from the ‘90s. With its free use of synthesizing and effects, Love X Stereo’s music is danceable. And despite the fact that many genres aside from K-pop are being completely excluded in the harsh environment of the Korean music industry, its consistency in creating well-produced, visionary music continues to attract global attention. By infusing alternative music with electronic elements, Love X Stereo is creating a fresh new style of music that is continually gaining great respect from both sides of Korean independent music scene; rock and electronica. Its music often confuses Korean audiences who isn’t always accustomed to absorbing new sounds, but it definitely takes center stage in the expat community (in other words, foreigners living in Korea) thanks to their impressive live performances and memorable song-writings.”

Indeed, one readily detects everything from Smashing Pumpkins, U2 and My Bloody Valentine to classic ‘60s girl-group, spacey ‘70s Prog and poppy ‘80s nu-psychedelia in the band’s sound – check, for example, signature track “Soul City” (aka “Seoul City” for a sleek sample of the impressive instrumentation and vocalist Annie’s sensual croon.

We’ll have an interview with the band posted to the site shortly in which we let them fill you in on all this and more. Meanwhile, check out their official website or Facebook page for additional details as well as song samples. They’re one of the good ‘uns, trust us. - Blurt Magazine

"It's a strange mix that's pulled off by a foreign sincerity—Ko takes on both the grandiose and the saccharine without donning a acid-washed jean jacket to let you know she's "serious.""


What You Need Wednesdays: Love X Stereo - Off the Grid EP

South Korean electronic band Love x Stereo reached out to us recently to share their new EP Off the Grid. It's a short three-song jaunt that blends two of our favorite things here at Viva—dance music and 90's alternative rock.

Citing Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, and Pearl Jam as her largest influences, lead singer/synth player Alice Ko unironically reveres the 90's alt-rock scene, even the parts we Americans have come to distance ourselves from. Lead track "Soul City (Seoul City)" is an exercise in Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness-esque excess, an almost 7-minute trek though the good and bad of the band's hometown, propelled by an unabashedly poppy guitar lead and vocal melody.

The quartet's shameless love of the pop-hook makes them comparable to a more modernized Saint Etienne, another band whose recorded output was an homage to their record collection. But whereas Etienne covered "I'm Too Sexy" and sample Dusty Springfield, Love X Stereo covers "1979" and samples Massive Attack—all in one song.

It's a strange mix that's pulled off by a foreign sincerity—Ko takes on both the grandiose and the saccharine without donning a acid-washed jean jacket to let you know she's "serious." - Viva Radio Blog (by American Apparel)

"Love X Stereo immediately caught our ear with their daring re-visioning of rock tropes and standards from the 90′s onward and in the process have evolved a sound quite their own. "


Love X Stereo immediately caught our ear with their daring re-visioning of rock tropes and standards from the 90′s onward and in the process have evolved a sound quite their own. While we feature their improbably fresh version of the often covered Pixies’ song “Wave of Mutilation” in our jukebox, we chose it because it helps to underscore how this band is decidedly different than the sounds to which we have become so accustomed on the radio, while still sounding polished and professionally recorded. We took the opportunity to ask the band some basic questions in hopes of getting some insight into their origins and philosophy.

Who?
Hello, we are Love X Stereo. We are the new breed of alternative/electro rock. All of our members are very much into alternative rock from the 90s. (Probably because we were troubled teenagers back then…?) We try to infuse it with interesting electro elements to create 21st century style, our kind of music.

What?
We were originally a punk rock band called “Skrew Attack”, one of the first sk8 punk rock band in Korean music history. Our guitarist Toby was (and always will be) the founder and leader of the band. But along the way, Annie joined as our lead vocalist, and our music started to change. After five years of working together, we realized we simply wanted to be highly inspired by making new sound, new visions to inspire others as well. So nowadays, we do anything and everything, basically.

Where?
Our band is based in Seoul, Korea. 1/6 of the people on this planet now know where Gangnam is, but sadly we live in Gangbuk (north side of Hangang river). Seoul is a very vibrant, very wired, fast-paced city. But like everything has the good and the bad, Seoul is a pretty tough place to live as an indie musician, that’s for sure. Due to the fact that the Korean music industry is so focused on K-pop, the rest of the music business is quite dead here — especially rock music. But despite the harsh reality, there is a lot of talent just waiting to burst onto the scene. Maybe if we get lucky enough to go beyond our beliefs, get recognized by the other side of the world, people might notice that there are much more in Korea, more than just “Gangnam Style”.

When?
On October 2012, we released our EP album “Off The Grid”. We mostly focused on the variety of the sound and the overall scale of the music. This is ultimately what we’re aiming for – overpowering sound, danceable beat, and mystical vibe, all tide into alternative rock & electronica.
We always do cover art projects from time to time, and these are definitely the most beloved pieces on our SoundCloud (more than our own songs.) Recently we released a new cover art “In the House, In a Heartbeat” by John Murphy, the original soundtrack of film ‘28 Days Later (2002)’, to celebrate Korean pop art exhibition “Heroes and Zombies (Jan 25—Feb 3)”. Please download it, it’s free.

For How Long?
Our band is only one year old now. But if we add up our members’ musical background altogether, probably more than 40 years give or take. We are relatively experienced compared to our fellow artists here, and we do all of our song-writing, arrangement, recording, mixing and producing by ourselves at our humble LXS studio.

What’s Next?
We are currently on our way to meet more fans around the world through radio, internet, social media and so on, and do live performances as much as we can. We are expecting a music video (till February), some collaboration work with local/overseas djs, Japan tour before summer, and hopefully Europe/US tour before the end of the year. - Music Zeitgeist

If you were witness to our raucous, multicultural festival in Echo Park this October, you know the lineup was incredible. We loved each and every artist, but a select few truly won your hearts.

We asked which international bands you loved the most, and here’s what you said:

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3. The excessively danceable Love X Stereo (above) from Seoul. - Culture Collide

Danceable Alternative Rock best describes Love X Stereo. Based out of Seoul, Korea, Love X Stereo sounds like a blast from the past, fusing 90s sunny, alternative rock with a more modern dance-pop beat. K-Pop this isn’t . Love X Stereo is made up of Toby (guitar), Sol (bass) and Annie (vocal and synth) who uses electro beats to drive their songs forward. And because of this, their infectious songs created a buzz that had the music industry talking. That, in turn, gave them the opportunity to share the stage with KDMS, Asobe Seksu and, soon after, were awarded featured spots at SXSW and New York’s CMJ Music Marathon. - PicksySticks

“Seoul, South Korea’s Love X Stereo was a great surprise…they blew us away with their infectious electronic rock sound. Their sound is packed with spaced out synths, shimmering guitars, and dream female vocals.” - Bitcandy

“Annie Ko's cotton-candy voice is light and fluffy, the perfect match to Toby Hwang's pastel fever dream production.” - Billboard

“Love X Stereo are quite frankly and criminally underrated considering the quality of music that they make.” - Metro.co.uk