Xan Tyler’s singing career began at 17 when she joined South London’s cult band Death Bang Party at the Rock Garden in Covent Garden.
With Death Bang Party Xan visited every corner of the UK. The band had a huge and loyal following (The Scumbag Posse) and they headlined some of London’s most prestigious venues including The Marquee, Clapham Grand, Shepherds Bush Empire, The Town & Country Club (now The Forum) and The Mean Fiddler. The band also played The Gilded Balloon & The Pleasance as part of The Edinburgh Fringe Festival two years running and won ‘Best New Comer’ in 1997 – which resulted in their appearance on ‘Julian Clary’s Best of The Fest’ show on Channel 4.
Xan also worked as a music agent for Fruit Pie Music and as a session singer at various studios around London.
Technique
It was around this time that she met Kate Holmes and together they formed Technique. They were signed first to Alan McGee’s Creation Records (home of Oasis, St Etienne, Primal Scream etc) and then to Poptones. Technique’s album, Pop Philosophy, was produced by Stephen Hague (New Order) and Owen Morris (Oasis). There were also contributions to the album from Tim Wheeler (Ash), Kirsty Hawkshaw (Opus III) & Youth (Killing Joke & The Verve). The girls received widespread press and media attention and toured the UK, Spain, Germany, U.S.A and Japan. To support the release of their single ‘Sun is Shining‘ and then ‘You + Me‘ Technique performed live on ITV’s CDUK and appearances on The Big Breakfast and MTV followed. They also appeared on the cover of Dazed & Confused (beautifully photographed by Rankin).
Mission Control
In 2000, as a side project, Xan hooked up with the Mad Professor and AriwaStudios. As Mission Control they released one album, Dub Showcase and received critical acclaim. The album featured a guest vocal from reggae legend Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry. Xan later toured Eastern Europe with Mad Professor.
Orinoko
In 2001 Xan was signed by Positiva Records and teamed up with German DJ & Producers Timo Maas and Martin Buttrich releasing Ibiza hit ‘Island’. This pairing brought more collaborations with electronic music producers and labels (see credits here). During this time Xan collaborated extensively with Grammy Award winning songwriter and producer Bruce Elliott-Smith.
The Joys of Sound
In 2008 Xan formed The Joys of Sound with old friend and multi instrumentalist Tam Saunders (Solar Quest). The Joys of Sound are currently working on their eclectic 303 enhanced offerings. TJOS perform sporadically round the UK.
In 2014 Xan collaborated with producer Stuart Crossland to create a 6 EP, Into the Blue recorded at Artspace Studios London.
In 2016 Xan released Golden Hues a 3 track single which was produced by legendary producer Kramer. The pair began recording an album together in Amsterdam late 2018 and will release in 2019.
Xan collaborated with Naomi and Paul in 2017 and 2018. She provided them with BVs on their studio album ‘Songs My Ruiner Gave To Me’. Xan also supported them at their album launch in Glasgow and their TV appearance on STV.
Glasshouse
2018 saw Xan collaborate with David Liddell on their orchestral / electronic offering ‘We Are The Light And The Dark’. The 6 track EP is out now.