Xylouris White

Xylouris White

Xylouris White is a duo made up of Jim White and Γιώργης Ξυλούρης. They first meet in Melbourne and combine two different musical backgrounds: Jim White is an Australian drummer who later bases himself in New York, and Γιώργης Ξυλούρης plays Cretan lute and comes from a strong traditional lineage in Crete.

Background and members

Γιώργης Ξυλούρης grows up in a mountain village on Crete, near the Ideon Cave, and works as an accompanist to his father, the folkloric singer and lyrist Antonis Xylouris, while still a teenager. Jim White plays in a Melbourne noise band called People With Chairs Up Their Noses as a teenager, and later becomes known for his drumming with Dirty Three. His other work includes Venom P. Stinger, The Double, Springtime, Bill Callahan and Marisa Anderson.

Music and collaborations

The duo works closely with Fugazi’s Guy Picciotto, who produces all of their albums. Their recorded work includes Goats, Black Peak, Mother, The Sisypheans and The Forest In Me. Their music is described as intense, joyous and rugged, and as a blend of traditional and non-traditional approaches that sounds closely integrated when they perform live or record.

Style and reputation

Xylouris White is associated with Cretan traditional music, folk and international fusion. The duo is noted for a visceral interplay and a shared approach that gives the impression of two players acting with exceptional unity on stage. Their performances are often described in terms of modal, driving intensity and a strong sense of musical dialogue between lute and drums.