Biography
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Born
21 June 1958 (age 66)
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Born In
Hamburg, Germany
An iconic musician and a hugely talented, successful contemporary artist.
Anja Huwe can be seen as Germany's answer to Siouxsie. Just as Sioux led the Banshees into the bleak terrain of gothic rock, Huwe ventured into ominous landscapes with X-Mal Deutschland. Along with bassist Rita Simon, guitarist Manuela Rickers, keyboardist Fiona Sangster, and drummer Caro May, Huwe formed X-Mal Deutschland in 1980 in Hamburg, Germany. The band's unsettling 1982 single "Incubus Succubus" echoed Siouxsie & the Banshees' gloomy dance music as Huwe howled over death march drums, scratchy guitars, and sampled human screams. X-Mal Deutschland also toured with the Cocteau Twins in England in 1982. Like Elizabeth Fraser of the Cocteau Twins, Huwe uses her voice as an instrument; even when her lyrics are unintelligible to listeners not versed in German, her vocals sway with the chaotic energy of the music.
X-Mal Deutschland released three albums in the '80s - Fetisch, Tocsin, and Viva - that are generally considered classics among goth cognoscenti. However, by 1989's Devils, X-Mal Deutschland shed the horror film stylings and shifted to pop; Huwe is nearly unrecognizable in the bouncy love song "I'll Be Near You." In 1990, X-Mal Deutschland entered the studio to record another LP, but nothing ever materialized. Because of her similarities to Sioux, Huwe's contributions to the evolution of gothic rock haven't acquired much recognition; nevertheless, her influence can be heard in groups such as The March Violets and Identity Crisis.
Anja now lives between Hamburg and New York, although her artistic work takes her all over the world. Now her art is music on canvas. She describes her art as an explorations into the sound of different colours, rhythms and harmonies. She has also worked successfully as an editor and producer for a German music channel, shooting films about music, people and art.
After 35 years since last Xmal Deutschland album, Anja Huwe is back with new solo album "Codes" released on 8 March 2024
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