XYLOURIS WHITE

(George Xylouris: Lute, Jim White: Drums)

A passion for exploration comes naturally to Xylouris White, the rugged visionary duo formed of Cretan lute player George Xylouris and Australian drummer Jim White.

Their 2014 debut album ‘Goats’ and 2016’s majestically expansive ‘Black Peak’ saw the pair wandering fearlessly through rough-hewn terrain. 15 well-toured months later, the duo’s exploratory instincts drove them further towards their third album, ‘Mother’, as their music continues to push forward with an invigorating urgency.

Xylouris is the descendant of Greek music royalty. His uncle is Nikos Xylouris, a national icon whose nickname is “archangel of Crete” because his songs are hugely influential and beloved, and his dad is Antonis Xylouris, a.k.a. Psarandonis, a singer and lyra player who is recognised for pushing traditional folk music in new directions.

White, meanwhile, has commanded international attention for more than two decades as part of Australia’s Dirty Three. Now New York-based, White has often been called on to collaborate with numerous alt-A-listers including: Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, PJ Harvey, Cat Power and Smog. Most recently he performed with Kurt Vile and Courtney Barnett on their acclaimed album ‘Lotta Sea Lice’.

As a duo, the pair seem to discover each other anew at every turn. Together, they create music that is challenging, wholly inventive, and hugely rewarding.

“There’s an ancient sense of purity to this music which seems a cut above any similar projects” – The Quietus

“This transcendental folk, deconstructed by the volatile rhythms of post-rock, demands to be danced to, and when the music hit the loud and fast end of the spectrum – an all-out head-banging mosh” – The Guardian

“challenging, wholly inventive, and rewarding” – Pitchfork