Hsu-nami to release new effort

www.hsu-nami.com / www.myspace.com/hsunami

The Hsu-nami is one of the year's rising stars after their music was featured at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and on MTV.

Their hit, Rising Of The Sun, was played at the Beijing Olympics Basketball Arena as the entrance theme for the China national basketball team last August. They've also been featured on MTV Iggy, mtv2 and mtvU, a division of MTV networks available on more than 750 colleges and university campuses in the US, and through MTV channels in Korea, Japan, Asia and Australia.

Formed in the fall of 2005, the New Jersey-based Hsu-nami consists of Jack Hsu (Er-Hu - Chinese violin), Brent Bergholm (lead guitar), Tony Aichele (guitar), Derril Sellers (bass) and John Manna (drums). They're the first rock group in America to incorporate the er-hu, a two-string bowed instrument often used in Chinese classical music and folk ensembles.

The eagerly awaited follow-up to their debut album Entering The Mandala sees the signature Hsu-nami sound developing into a more mature one.

"I'm very proud of The Four Noble Truths. We took a lot of time arranging the tunes to perfection and used our instrument abilities to the fullest. I'm really excited for people to hear this album, it is truly an experience from anything you have ever heard before," says Jack, the band's founder.

"This album shows a more confident Hsu-nami. On Entering The Mandala, we found our sound and on The Four Noble Truths, we expanded our sound," says Brent.

"It represents how the world is changing and becoming smaller, how styles and cultures are becoming one. It's a tribute to the past with a look forward into the future. It touches on many themes – war, suffering, hatred, sorrow, love, joy, longing and companionship. It's life. To live is to suffer. Great creations come from suffering, and it shows how much we've been through."

Derril adds: "This record captures more of the energy and intensity of our live shows than anything we've done before. With our second self-produced CD, Hsu-nami is learning to use the studio as an instrument. The recording process is inspiring us to innovate, whereas it used to be a struggle to capture our music without losing too much excitement."

The Four Noble Truths Track Listing:
1. Snake Skin Shuffle
2. Jubei Chan Theme
3. Temple
4. The Four Noble Truths
5. Moonlight
6. Luxy NYE
7. Beautiful Night (2009 Rearranged Version)
8. Passport To Taiwan
I. 天黑黑
II. 丟丟銅
III. 望春風
9. Rising Of The Sun (2009 Rearranged Version)