Sybarite is the solo electronic project of Xian, an artist from the United States. Before working under this name, Xian begins playing trumpet at the age of eight, later switches to guitar, and makes an early serious appearance with Arrow Kleeman in the band Mobius Strip while both attend the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn in the early to mid-1990s.

Early work

After Mobius Strip, Xian joins Simeon of Silver Apples as a sampler and oscillator player. That collaboration continues on and off for several years through touring and recording. Xian leaves Silver Apples in late 1998 to focus on solo work as Sybarite.

Style and sound

Sybarite works with a mix of acoustic and electronic instruments, creating music that draws on electronic, ambient, IDM, downtempo, experimental and leftfield forms. The project is associated with a hybrid approach rather than a single fixed style.

Background

Xian’s earlier musical path moves from trumpet to guitar before widening into sampling, oscillators and solo composition. Outside music, Xian lists interest in birds, architecture and wheat-free snacks.