Comments on: Sxip! Pronounced Skip!

Sxip! Pronounced Skip!

jennyjenny — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 19:15:26 -0800

Sxip Shirey makes beautiful music out of marbles, toy whistles, music boxes held together with duct tape, antique kitchen utensils, industrial flutes and other people's mouths. Neil Gaiman and Amanda Palmer made him an instrument called the Sxipenspiel. He does things to harmonicas that you might not expect to happen to harmonicas. He lives in New York City. Sometimes he stays up very, very late.

By: zarq

zarq — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 19:35:11 -0800

Holy cow. Fantastic find, and great post. I watched the unexpected harmonicas link and initially thought "what in the freakin' hell is he doing to that harmonica?!" But after a rather strange, dissonant start, it turned fun, quirky and even (unexpectedly) melodic. Then I watched the Brooklyn Bridge Song video. It's wonderful. I've lived in New York for most of my adult life, and when I was younger did quite a bit of late night wandering, on my own around Manhattan. Shirey's soft, gentle duet and lyrics really capture a feeling I've had but have never been able to put into words. They're quite a contrast to "I Live In New York City" too. Neat stuff. Love his energy. Thanks so much for introducing me to such a talented musician.

By: milquetoast

milquetoast — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 19:42:25 -0800

Sxip is a buddy and an all-around fantastic human being. He does this bit with a tampon applicator that is kind of unbelievable. He tours a lot. Definitely worth seeing.

By: mannequito

mannequito — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 19:54:39 -0800

I only know the song he did with Jason Webley but it is fantastic : Days With You (haven't had a look through all the links above yet so sorry if you posted that already!)

By: buriednexttoyou

buriednexttoyou — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 20:13:16 -0800

Awesome and inspiring, thanks for posting this.

By: cozenedindigo

cozenedindigo — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 20:26:32 -0800

Ahhhh, I just saw him live with Evelyn Evelyn. SUCH a captivating performer.

By: komara

komara — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 20:50:29 -0800

That first harmonica link just blew my mind. I'm on my third listen. Dang.

By: Benjamin Nushmutt

Benjamin Nushmutt — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 20:54:42 -0800

One of my favorite late-night music jams ever was with Sxip and the Luminescent Orchestrii, a flamenco band, and bluegrass fiddlers who wandered in from off the street. He's a phenomenal guy; nice to see him getting recognition.

By: pyramid termite

pyramid termite — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 21:44:36 -0800

the shadow land links with rachelle garniez (antique kitchen utensils) are pure musical creativity - very inspiring

By: louche mustachio

louche mustachio — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 01:52:12 -0800

He does this bit with a tampon applicator that is kind of unbelievable. Indeed. I saw him several times in Austin, and his mastery of the, uh, instrument in question is mind-blowing. IIRC, he took up the applicator when he was unable to play the flute due to a repetitive stress injury (please correct me if I'm wrong, I frequently am.) He's an inventive and charming performer and, as others have stated above, a top-notch individual. I am wicked jealous of those of you that can go see him on the 24th.

By: rocket88

rocket88 — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 07:00:00 -0800

Needs more vuvuzela.

By: Meep! Eek!

Meep! Eek! — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 07:33:33 -0800

He was fantastic as a performer, and as the emcee of the Evelyn Evelyn show. I only wish he'd had more time to perform solo than was possible. If anyone gets a chance to see him live - go!

By: unregistered_animagus

unregistered_animagus — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 08:24:33 -0800

After watching just the marbles and the unexpected harmonica, two effects are evident: 1. I'm intrigued and want more. 2. My cat, meanwhile, is losing her freaking mind.

By: Ogre Lawless

Ogre Lawless — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 10:55:26 -0800

Some inspiring inventiveness and intensity...

By: Hactar

Hactar — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 11:39:55 -0800

I've seen him perform live a couple of times, love his stuff. I've also randomly chatted with him after one of his shows- really nice guy, really down to earth. For those who can, go to his shows, he's worth seeing.