Liz Wendelbo and Sean McBride, the duo Xeno & Oaklander, met in Williamsburg back in 2003. Wendelbo encountered McBride while she was DJing a party in the building where he lived. The two started making music almost immediately because of their similar tastes.
Music Video for Xeno & Oaklander’s “Afar”
“Afar” is the latest track from Xeno & Oaklander from their forthcoming new album Vi/deo. This track is a classic synth vision, exuding a dark atmosphere. The duo had this to say about the track: “Afar is an infectious French Disco song, mixed with minimal synth arrangements and bittersweet French lyrics.”
The video was directed by visual artist Egan Frantz, in his directorial debut. Other support came from Sean Canterel McBride as maestro, Jean Lorenzo on Motion Graphics, Jim Swaffield for photography, and Wyatt Weymouth for color.
Frantz produces a fantasy scenario where liz dances and sings by the camera multiple times, as if in a continuous shot, in an empty theater. It even appears as thought there might be two of Liz in some frames. The theater is the Fairfield Theatre in Connecticut.
Xeno & Oaklander, Brief History
Xeno & Oaklander rose to prominence in part through their performances at parties hosted by Pieter Schoolwerth. Pieter’s nights paved the way for Wierd Records, the label behind the duo’s first two albums.
Xeno & Oaklander recorded their first EP in 2004, Vigils. It was initially recorded straight to tape, and then copies were made on CDr to support shows they had lined up in Germany. Later, Vigils would be pressed to vinyl by Wierd Records in 2006.
Analog
The pair prefer to use analog instruments because of their warm sounds and the instruments’ feel. Wendelbo had said that there were only vintage analog synths available for the most part when they began. Nowadays, many analog lovers manufacture modules and new synths based on vintage instruments that the pair also enjoy using.
“We have two ears and one mouth, so we should listen more than we say.” – Xeno
The name Xeno & Oaklander is partly inspired by Greek myth. Xeno was a philosopher in Greece before Socrates. Wendelbo adopted this moniker, enjoying the space and time-based paradoxes Xeno referred to in his writing. She has stated that she enjoys taking on this masculine name to blur the line between genders.
Vi/deo Release
Xeno & Oaklander’s seventh full-length, Vi/deo, is set for release October 22nd on Dais Records. From Dais: “Vi/deo captures the bittersweet beauty of youth and utopias, the wistful transformation from miracle to memory, where love turns unreal, and music becomes myth.”
Formats:
- 200 Red Vinyl LPs (w/ scented paper insert)
- 400 Green Vinyl LPs
- 600 Blue Vinyl LPs
- Black Vinyl LPs
- Cd
Xeno & Oaklander can also be found on:
Check out more synth here.
