Love X Stereo (Korean: 러브엑스테레오) is an electro duo from Seoul, Korea. Consisting lead vocalist and synthesizer player Annie Ko and guitarist and producer Toby Hwang, the duo debuted in 2011[1] by releasing an EP album called Buzzin'.

Love X Stereo
Background information
OriginSeoul, South Korea
GenresElectro, electronic rock, alternative, synth-pop, electropunk
Years active2011–present
Members
  • Annie Ko
  • Toby Hwang
Websitelovexstereo.com

Band members

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  • Annie Ko: lead vocals, synthesizers
  • Toby Hwang: producer, guitar, bass, synthesizers

History

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1998-2011: 18Cruk and Skrew Attack

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In 1998, Toby Hwang, then-bassist for Korean punk rock band 18Cruk, decided to quit to from a new 3-piece band, Skrew Attack.[2] Inspired by the faster-paced sounds of bands like NOFX, Black Flag, Bad Religion, and Minor Threat,[2] Hwang cycled through numerous lineup changes with Skrew Attack before meeting vocalist Annie Ko in the Hongdae neighborhood in 2005.[3] Ko had attended Ewha Womans University and Seoul National University (studying physics and astronomy, respectively), before pursuing a career as a singer.[3] Hwang and Ko remained core members of Skrew Attack until 2011.

2011-present: Name change and Love X Stereo

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Driven by a desire to branch out from their punk rock beginnings,[3] Hwang and Ko decided to change the band's name to Love X Stereo, a name derived from Hwang's record label Stereo City Records.[2] In a 2013 interview with Schoolkids Records' BLURT Magazine, Hwang states:

We did punk rock for years and years, so this time we wanted to do something different, something that isn’t necessarily punk rock, and something fresh and new. We love to add experimental flavor into our music, adding different elements from different genres that we like, such as trip hop, electro, alternative rock etc. So, changing band name was quite inevitable.[2]

Love X Stereo released their debut EP, Buzzin' on December 28, 2011, incorporating elements of electronic music not previously featured in Skrew Attack's music.[4] Subsequent releases have continued to feature heavy use of synthesizers and drum machines, further developing their electro-rock sound.

Discography

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Year Album Track listing
2017 37A
  • Released: May 13, 2017
1. Maybe I
2. Dark and Light
3. Lemon Spark
4. Bring Me Back to You
5. Battle Wings
6. 백색소음 White Noise
7. Paradise Lost
8. Parallel Universe
9. Like a Waterfall in the Sky
10. Rage Is Not Enough (Danja Mix) [Remastered]
2017 37B
  • Released: Nov 30, 2017
1. Nosedive
2. A Revolution
3. Le Grand Bleu
4. Instalove
5. Turn It Up
6. Thunder Kiss
7. Trendkill
8. Pulse
9. Deeper Than the Dark
10. Slipping Away
2019 37X
  • Released: Oct 18, 2019
1. Turn It Up (Art Effects Remix)
2. Deeper Than the Dark (Retro Remix)
3. All Over Again (Urban Remix)
4. Hide and Seek (Dance Hall Remix)
5. Fly Over (Open Ocean Remix)
6. Dead Beat Generation (Hard Time Remix)
7. Le Grand Bleu (Clockwork Remix)
8. We Love We Leave (Techno Remix)
9. Parallel Universe (Rabbit Hole Remix)
10. Zero One (Ultra Bleu Remix)
2019 37C
  • Released: Nov 22, 2019
1. Annihilation
2. Free Fall
3. Imagining You (feat. I Made Subandi)
4. Head On the Ground
5. Christmas Sunset
6. All Over Again
7. 찰나 Ksana
8. Zero One
9. 불러줘 내 이름 Call My Name
10. Slipping Away (Acoustic Version)
2021 Xennials
  • Released: Jan 20, 2021
1. Sixteen
2. Wondrous
3. Push the Play
4. Rebel Dress
5. Kid From the Future
6. Cell Theory (feat. KIMOXAVI)
7. VS (feat. Naehyun Kim)
Year Album Track listing
2011 Buzzin’
  • Released: December 28, 2011
1. High Road
2. Free Ass
3. Ocean Breeze
4. Ocean Breeze (Korean Version)
2012
Off the Grid
  • Released: November 21, 2012
1. Soul City (Seoul City)
2. Chain Reaction
3. Storm
2013
Glow
  • Released: September 26, 2013
1. Lose to Win
2. Fly Over
3. Secrets
4. Crossing Rivers
5. Soul City (John Gaska Remix)
6. Soul City (J-Path Remix)
7. Chain Reaction (J-Path Remix)
2015
We Love We Leave, Part 1
  • Released: February 10, 2015
1. We Love We Leave
2. Chain Reaction (Deluxe Edition)
3. Ocean Breeze (Deluxe Edition)
4. My Anywhere
5. Fly Over (Deluxe Edition)
6. Free Ass (Deluxe Edition)
7. Soul City (Seoul City) [Deluxe Edition]
2016
We Love We Leave, Part 2
  • Released: April 29, 2016
1. Dead Beat Generation
2. Beauties Die Young
3. Love Is On The Way
4. New World
5. Hide and Seek
2023
Love X Stereo vs DA1SY DØØM - / 안녕 ÄNɎƏŊ /
  • Released: Jun 10, 2023
1. < 랑데뷰 RDV >
2. < 자각몽 Lucid / Dreams >
3. < 끌어당김 @traction >
4. < 미라클시티 Miracle_City >
5 .< 바이너리 Βynari >
Year Album Track listing
2013 Bu-Kkeu-Reo-Wo-Yo
  • Released: July 25, 2013
1. Bu-Kkeu-Reo-Wo-Yo
2. Bu-Kkeu-Reo-Wo-Yo (J-Path KTB Remix)
2014
Indie Goes Pop 8. Safe and Sound (Capital Cities Cover)
2015
Hide and Seek
  • Released: October 9, 2015
1. Hide and Seek (Single Version)
2. Hide and Seek (J-Path 88 Remix)
2016
Cheese In The Trap OST Part 8
  • Released: March 1, 2016 by CJ E&M
2. Hide and Seek (OST Version)
2016
Rage Is Not Enough (Danja Mix)
  • Released: August 19, 2016
1. Rage Is Not Enough (Danja Mix)
2018
Winter Dreams
  • Released: February 6, 2018, released by Various Artists
4. 찰나 Ksana
2019
Zero One
  • Released: February 15, 2019
1. Zero One
2. Zero One (Ultra Bleu Remix)
2019
Love Alarm 좋아하면 울리는 (Original Soundtrack)
  • Released: September 6, 2019
2. Tearliner - In My Dreams (Feat. Love X Stereo)
7. Tearliner - In My Dreams (Acoustic Ver.) (Feat. Love X Stereo)
2019
Imagining You
  • Released: September 20, 2019
1. Love X Stereo - Imagining You (feat. I Made Subandi)
2022
All3
  • Released: January 14, 2022
1. All3
2. All3 (J-Path Midnight Cruise Remix)
3. All3 (Instrumental)
4. All3 (J-Path Midnight Cruise Remix)[Instrumental]
2023
Summer Strike 아무것도 하고 싶지 않아 (Original Soundtrack)
  • Released: January 2, 2023
8. Tearliner - Me, the Protagonist (Feat. Love X Stereo)
2023
Love X Stereo vs DA1SY DØØM - < 자각몽 Lucid / Dreams >
  • Released: May 20, 2023
1. < 자각몽 Lucid / Dreams >
2023
Love X Stereo vs DA1SY DØØM - < 끌어당김 @traction >
  • Released: May 20, 2023
1. < 끌어당김 @traction >
2023
Love X Stereo vs DA1SY DØØM - < 미라클시티 Miracle_City >
  • Released: Jun 3, 2023
1. < 미라클시티 Miracle_City >
2024 Future Unknown
  • Released: February 21, 2014
1. Future Unknown
2. Future Unknown (Instrumental)

International Festivals

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Awards

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References

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  1. ^ Herman, Tamar (July 16, 2015). "Synth Punk? Electro Alternative? It Doesn't Matter, Love X Stereo Knows What It's Doing [Interview]". KultScene.
  2. ^ a b c d "THE SEOUL SONIC FORCE OF BLURT'S BEST KEPT SECRET #22: Love X Stereo - Blurt Magazine". Blurt Magazine. Retrieved 2018-06-20.
  3. ^ a b c "In Love and Stereo: Korean Indie-Pop Songstress, Annie Ko". ATK Magazine. 2013-09-30. Retrieved 2018-06-20.
  4. ^ "K-pop Indie Gem: LOVE X STEREO". seoulbeats. 2013-09-29. Retrieved 2018-06-20.
  5. ^ "CMW Announces First Round of Showcasing Acts Including Banoffee, Dune Rats, Redway, Daytrip, Jack & Eliza and More!". Canadian Music Week. December 12, 2014. Archived from the original on November 25, 2015. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
  6. ^ Stanley, Adrienne (September 25, 2014). "CMJ Music Marathon Delivers Second Artist Lineup Including Seoul-Based Electronic Rock Band Love X Stereo". KpopStarz.
  7. ^ "Culture Collide International Artist Spotlight: Korea's LOVE X STEREO". Culture Collide. October 2, 2014.
  8. ^ "Music Matters Live 2014". TimeOut Singapore. April 28, 2014.
  9. ^ Miller, Ariel (December 3, 2013). "FOUR ON THE FLOOR: BANDS WITH SEOUL (PART ONE)". SXSW.
  10. ^ Xtian (October 22, 2013). "Love X Stereo at Korea Remix for CMJ 2013". Korean Indie.
  11. ^ Mills, Fred (July 11, 2013). "THE SEOUL SONIC FORCE OF BLURT'S BEST KEPT SECRET #22: Love X Stereo". Blurt Magazine.