Caralee McElroy
Encyclopedia
Caralee McElroy is a Brooklyn
-based multi-instrumentalist who has played in the bands Xiu Xiu
, XXL, and Cold Cave
.
and was raised in Modesto, California
and Seattle, Washington
. She grew up immersed in both music and the visual arts. Her father, Brent, is a luthier
and guitar maker.
, percussion, drums, and the keyboards
.
of Xiu Xiu. He needed a multi-instrumentalist, so she auditioned and joined Xiu Xiu during their Fabulous Muscles
tour in 2004. McElroy left Xiu Xiu in May 2009.
in 2006. As of 2009, she has been collaborating on a yet-to-be-named musical project with Chris Garneau
.
with XXL (Xiu Xiu Larsen)
with Cold Cave
with Casiotone for the Painfully Alone
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
-based multi-instrumentalist who has played in the bands Xiu Xiu
Xiu Xiu
Xiu Xiu is an American avant-garde group originally from San Jose, California. The band is the brainchild of singer-songwriter Jamie Stewart, who has been its only constant member since its inception in 2002. His current bandmate is Angela Seo...
, XXL, and Cold Cave
Cold Cave
Cold Cave is the experimental musical project of Wesley Eisold based in New York City and originating in Philadelphia and is described as "a collage of darkwave, noise, and synth pop"...
.
Biography
McElroy was born in Olympia, WAOlympia, Washington
Olympia is the capital city of the U.S. state of Washington and the county seat of Thurston County. It was incorporated on January 28, 1859. The population was 46,478 at the 2010 census...
and was raised in Modesto, California
Modesto, California
Modesto is a city in, and is the county seat of, Stanislaus County, California. With a population of approximately 201,165 at the 2010 census, Modesto ranks as the 18th largest city in the state of California....
and Seattle, Washington
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
. She grew up immersed in both music and the visual arts. Her father, Brent, is a luthier
Luthier
A luthier is someone who makes or repairs lutes and other string instruments. In the United States, the term is used interchangeably with a term for the specialty of each maker, such as violinmaker, guitar maker, lute maker, etc...
and guitar maker.
Music
At seven, McElroy started to study the flute, and throughout her school years she picked up the guitarGuitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, percussion, drums, and the keyboards
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
.
Xiu Xiu
In 2003, McElroy met her long-lost cousin, Jamie StewartJamie Stewart
James "Jamie" Cyrus Stewart is the front-man of the American musical group Xiu Xiu , a former front-man of IBOPA and Ten in the Swear Jar and a current member of Former Ghosts. He was also a member of 7 Year Rabbit Cycle which has since disbanded...
of Xiu Xiu. He needed a multi-instrumentalist, so she auditioned and joined Xiu Xiu during their Fabulous Muscles
Fabulous Muscles
The track "Brian the Vampire" is based on a child Stewart encountered during Stewart's time as a preschool teacher in California. "Mike" is a tribute to Stewart's late father Michael Stewart, who had committed suicide in 2002, while "Support Our Troops OH! " is about Stewart's view on soldiers...
tour in 2004. McElroy left Xiu Xiu in May 2009.
Other activities and collaborations
McElroy appeared on recordings for Casiotone for the Painfully AloneCasiotone for the Painfully Alone
Casiotone for the Painfully Alone was the musical solo-project of musician Owen Ashworth of Redwood City, California.-History:Ashworth started CFTPA after he dropped out of film school in 1997...
in 2006. As of 2009, she has been collaborating on a yet-to-be-named musical project with Chris Garneau
Chris Garneau
Chris Garneau is an American singer and songwriter and musician. Garneau's sound combines elements of folk, Americana, pop, baroque, and carnival music. Since releasing his debut album, Garneau has toured throughout the United States, Canada, Brazil, Europe, and Asia.Garneau cites Jeff Buckley,...
.
Discography
with Xiu XiuXiu Xiu
Xiu Xiu is an American avant-garde group originally from San Jose, California. The band is the brainchild of singer-songwriter Jamie Stewart, who has been its only constant member since its inception in 2002. His current bandmate is Angela Seo...
- 2004 – "Fleshettes", CD-single
- 2005 – La ForêtLa ForêtLa Forêt is the fourth studio album by Xiu Xiu, released on July 12, 2005 on 5 Rue Christine. The album features John Dieterich of Deerhoof and Devin Hoff as contributors.-Overview:...
- 2006 – The Air ForceThe Air ForceThe Air Force is the fifth album by Xiu Xiu. It was released on September 15, 2006, and is produced by Greg Saunier of Deerhoof, who also performs on the album with band members Caralee McElroy and Jamie Stewart.-Track listing:#"Buzz Saw" – 3:01...
- 2007 – Remixed & CoveredRemixed & CoveredRemixed & Covered is a 2007 double album by Xiu Xiu. One disc contains cover versions of the band's songs, whilst the other contains remixes of their originals.-Disc one :#Larsen - "Mousey Toy"#Oxbow - "Saturn"...
- 2008 - Women as LoversWomen as LoversWomen as Lovers is the sixth studio album by American avant-garde band Xiu Xiu. It was released on January 29, 2008, by Kill Rock Stars, and shares its title with the Martin Chalmers translation of Elfriede Jelinek's 1975 novel Die Liebhaberinnen....
with XXL (Xiu Xiu Larsen)
- 2005 – Ciautistico!Ciautistico!-External links:* at Important Records....
- 2007 – ¿Spicchiology?¿Spicchiology?-External links:* at Important Records....
with Cold Cave
Cold Cave
Cold Cave is the experimental musical project of Wesley Eisold based in New York City and originating in Philadelphia and is described as "a collage of darkwave, noise, and synth pop"...
- 2009 - Electronic Dreams Cassette
- 2009 - Cremations CD
- 2009 - Prurient Split - stars explode Cassette
- 2009 - Easel and Ruby 12" Single
- 2009 - Love Comes Close CD/LP
with Casiotone for the Painfully Alone
Casiotone for the Painfully Alone
Casiotone for the Painfully Alone was the musical solo-project of musician Owen Ashworth of Redwood City, California.-History:Ashworth started CFTPA after he dropped out of film school in 1997...
- 2006 - Graceland
- 2006 - Young Shields