Xiu Xiu & Deerhoof have big plans for 2010's Donaufestival

Together, the bands will perform Joy Division's Unknown Pleasures at Austria's Donaufestival

By Amy Strauss
Published: April 28th, 2010 | 7:00pm

More than 30 years since the release of Joy Division's Unknown Pleasures (Factory), the sacred 1979 album remains a romanticized staple in many a record collection. With sculpted, sultry, and iconic sounds, Ian Curtis' last compilation helped define the sound of the past three decades of music and identified the true meaning of depressive post-punk.

Fast-forward to April 29, 2010 where, in the melodic battlefield of Austria's Donaufestival, Jamie Stewart’s sinister, art-pop output Xiu Xiu will collaborate with the manic, forward-thinking indie rockers Deerhoof to reenact the notorious LP live in its 10-track entirety.

Stewart, who gives full credit to Deerhoof for influencing him to conceptualize Xiu Xiu, is enthused to unite two of his favorite bands in one performance—one deceased (Joy Division) and one living (Deerhoof).

“Unknown Pleasures means so much to me,” reveals Stewart. “The record completely changed the face of music—any art-rocker is tremendously in debt to Joy Division, whether they like it or not.”

Swooning over the anticipation of performing it live, which Stewart cautions will be “fantastic, yet complicated,” the singer is hoping to offer an experience just as legendary as the original record, considering both bands will be united just days prior to the buzz-worthy event. “The idea is that we will both show up knowing the record very well,” he said, "I will be putting my whole heart into it."

Deerhoof guitarist Ed Rodriguez acknowledges, quite honestly, that the upcoming feat brings much pressure. Although, he notes that the timing is perfect since the band is currently composing a new album and hopes the experience of working on Unknown Pleasures will provide inspiration for their writing process.

“Familiarizing ourselves with Unknown Pleasures gives us a chance to go deep into another concept and a whole new way of looking at music,” he suggests, noting that it wasn't until his late 20s when he first approached the album. “When you do a single cover, you can pick just one song to add a mood or moment to your set. But, when you set your sights on a whole record, you're setting up camp and finding things you never would in a single track.”

The reproduction of an album with an incredible, rabid fan base has both Xiu Xiu and Deerhoof confronting the challenge in changing lights. “Every single person comes out of listening to Unknown Pleasures with a different relationship to the record,” says Stewart who squeals with sheer terror about performing “Day of the Lords," calling it an “intimidating song to perform because it is deeply embedded with emotions.”

Rodriguez confesses he coheres to the drama of “Day of the Lords” as well as feels the pull of “She's Lost Control.”

“All of these songs have so many qualities that are near impossible to recreate,” he concludes. “We're going to do our best to find what we can capture from each song rather than try and do a note-by-note recreation.” Will it be an unknown pleasure or history in the making? Here's to hoping this unprecedented collaboration with two Venus Zine favorites brings in the headlines and leads to more of the same. Music for the Masses, anyone?

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Xiu Xiu official Web site

Xiu Xiu MySpace page

Deerhoof official Web site

Deerhoof MySpace page