The Twelve Bands of Christmas: Day Seven - Exit Clov

Exit Clov is a five piece band from Washington DC that is fronted by twin sisters, Emily and Susan Hsu. Yes - twin sisters. Brilliant business model, if you ask me - not only will we have two beautiful women front an indie pop band, but we'll have two that have nearly identical voices that can harmonize with each other throughout most of their songs. Why haven't more bands thought of this?

I kid, I kid. But Exit Clov is a great band with a fantastic live show. Over the past two years, they have developed one of the most dedicated fan bases in Washington DC, while also traveling across the country in support of a series of EPs that they have put out themselves. This summer, they completed their first tour of the Western United States, and signed a deal with Livewire Recordings, who released their newest disc Respond Respond. While their music will be stuck in your head for days, there is something deeper at play, as their lyrics are quite timely and hit on a lot of today's social commentary. We caught up with them while they were in the middle of a promotions tour. They filled us in on the year that was and gave us some insight into their future.


Band:
Exit Clov

Location:
Washington DC

Formed:
Summer 2003

Members:
Emily Hsu
Susan Hsu
Aaron Leeder
Brett Niederman
John Thayer

Label:
Independent

Recordings:
Respond Respond EP (2006, released on Livewire Recordings)
Jolly Roget Sessions EP (2005)
Saskwatch EP (2005)
Starfish EP (2004)

Upcoming Live Dates:
December 21 @ Recher Theatre, Towson, MD
December 30 @ The Fire, Philadelphia, PA
December 31 @ Rock Cellar, West Orange, NJ
January 11 @ Mercury Lounge, NYC
January 12 @ Chameleon Club, Lancaster, PA
January 13 @ Appalachian Brewing Company, Harrisburg, PA
January 20 @ Black Cat, DC

How did the band form?
Susan and Emily met John and Brett at a house party. They kidnapped Aaron from a local adoption agency and the rest is history.

How was '06 for you?
2006 treated us well. We survived our first cross-country tour and released our first nationally distributed record.

What do you have in store for '07?
More touring and perhaps tracking our debut album.

Goal for '07 and beyond?
To happen upon a large burlap sack filled with gold and magic beans.


Respond Respond EP (2006)
Violent Berries
Moving Gaza

*more mp3s are available here*

Exit Clov - Violent Berries


3 favorite songs of '06?
Brett:
Hold It In - Jukebox the Ghost
Crazy - Gnarls Barkley
Hump de Bump - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Emily:
St. Augustine - Band of Horses
When Planes Collide - Viva Voce
The Greatest - Cat Power
Susan:
Chinaberry Tree - Mew
Stop/Start - Pretty & Nice
Hang Me Up to Dry - Cold War Kids
John:
My Love - Justin Timberlake
We're #1 - Renzo Sclamanna
Hold It In - Jukebox the Ghost

Favorite album of the year?
Brett: Rabbit Fur Coat - Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins
Emily: a tie between Rabbit Fur Coat (Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins) and Bring it Back (Mates of State)
Susan: Bring it Back (Mates of State), Get Yer Blood Sucked Out (Viva Voce)
Aaron: Ballad of the Broken Seas (Isobelle Campbell and Marc Lanegan)
John: Stadium Arcadium (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Broken Boy Soldiers (The Raconteurs)

Best live show you saw this year?
Brett: Jenny Lewis and the Watsons at the 9:30 club
Emily: The Go! Team @ Black Cat (March 2006)
Susan: Of Montreal @ State Theatre (March 2006) and Cold War Kids (October 2006)
Aaron: The Red Hot Chili Peppers @ Wachovia Center (October 2006)
John: The Red Hot Chili Peppers @Continental Airlines Arena, NJ (Oct 06)

Favorite holiday song and artist?
Brett: Happy Xmas (war is over) by john lennon
John: Happy Xmas (War is Over) Lennon

Best present you ever received?
Brett: tie between electronic chess and the complete rocky vhs
Emily: A Spaniard Cabbage Patch Kid.
Aaron: A Jeurass - small stringed greek instrument from my parents.
John: A Shawn Kemp Sonics Jersey

Worst present you ever received?
Brett: My mom bought me a part leather part fur bomber jacket...top gun style...this was last year, too...it was on sale at marshals.
Emily: A used M&M candy tube that my friend refilled with M&Ms before she gave it to me.
Aaron: One time a friend gave me her pocket mulch in hopes that I would start my own.
John: Ant Farm


The Twelve Bands of Christmas
Introduction
Day 1: Telograph
Day 2: AVEC
Day 3: The Hard Tomorrows
Day 4: Middle Distance Runner
Day 5: Thrushes
Day 6: Georgie James
Day 7: Exit Clov
Day 8: Jette-Ives
Day 9: These United States
Day 10: Cedars
Day 11: Two if by Sea
Day 12: Soft Complex