IQU (pronounced 'ee-koo', and originally named ICU) is an American lo-fi music group from Olympia, Washington, United States.
History The band formed in Olympia, initially as ICU,Richard-San, Mark (1999) "IQU Girls on Dates EP", Pitchfork Media, August 10, 1999, retrieved 2010-07-24 and comprised Michiko Swiggs (keyboards), Aaron Hartman (bass), and K.O. (Kento Oiwa, guitar, theremin, turntables).Phares, Heather "[ IQU Biography]", Allmusic, retrieved 2010-07-24 Swiggs and Oiwa had met at a rave in Osaka, Japan.Segal, Dave (2003) "Nice Bands Finish First: IQU Will Turn Your Party Out", The Stranger, Dec 24 – Dec 30, 2003, retrieved 2010-07-24 Their early recordings consisted of free-form improvisation, but became more song-based. They were signed by Calvin Johnson to his K Records label, releasing the album Chotto Matte A Moment! in 1998. The band's live shows included bills shared with Unwound, Sonic Youth, The Flaming Lips, Hovercraft, and Mouse on Mars, and the band toured extensively.Singer, Liam (2004) "IQU Sun Q", Pitchfork Media, October 28, 2004, retrieved 2010-07-24
In 1999 the band issued the Girls on Dates EP, a collaboration with performance artist, poet, and filmmaker Miranda July, described by Allmusic as "a frightening mix of squealing low-fi electronics and broken verbal communication" and "a wonderfully provocative collaboration".Taylor, Ken "[ Girls on Dates Review]", Allmusic, retrieved 2010-07-24
Their third album, Teenage Dream was released in 2000, featuring seven different mixes of "Teenage Dream" by the likes of Looper, Lexaunculpt and Sonic Boom, and two mixes of "Can't You Even Remember That?".Phares, Heather "[ Teenage Dream Review]", Allmusic, retrieved 2010-07-24Stahl, Geoff (2000) "IQU Teenage Dream", PopMatters, retrieved 2010-07-24Richard-San, Mark (2000) "IQU Teenage Dream EP", Pitchfork Media, August 15, 2000, retrieved 2010-07-24
Hartman left in 2000, forming Old Time Relijun. Over the next few years, Oiwa scored the soundtrack for The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and worked as a DJ, and Swiggs became more involved in visual arts.
Their fourth album, Sun Q, recorded as a duo, was released in 2004, and was regarded as their best yet by Allmusic, who described the album as "pretty, Asian flavored synth pop".Phares, Heather "[ Sun Q Review]", Allmusic, retrieved 2010-07-24 Pitchfork Media described Sun Q as "a mash of styles that can be generally categorized as "alien pop" - mutated top 40, broken disco, and hyperactive glam instrumentals that flow along at a stream-of-consciousness pace".
Discography Albums Chotto Matte A Moment! (1998), K Teenage Dream (2000), K - IQU and friends Sun Q (2004), Sonic Boom
Singles, EPs Despite The Smell Of Colors, Vol I (1998), N.E.W. Girls on Dates EP (1999), K - with Miranda July Dirty Boy (2004), Sonic Boom
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