The Ssion

Ssion
Ssion performing in Chicago, 2014.
Background information
Origin	Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Years active	1996 – current
Labels	Dovecote Records, Sleazetone, Version City
Website	ssion.com

SSION (pronounced "shun") is a multifaceted creative project spearheaded by Cody Critcheloe, consisting of music, videos, art and live performance. It began as a punk band in Kentucky where Critcheloe is from, spent formative years in Kansas City, where it grew into the New York and Los Angeles based project it is today. Working with a rotating list of collaborators, Ssion has been sporadically releasing records for over 10 years while directing music videos for other notable artists. Ssion has also created artwork for Yeah Yeah Yeahs "Fever To Tell" and more recently art direction for Charli XCX's "Doing It" video. Ssion's 2012 release "Bent" garnered huge amounts of international attention and was accompanied by critically acclaimed music videos for "My Love Grows in The Dark", "Earthquake", "Luvvbazaar", and "High" – all produced and directed by Critcheloe. Critcheloe currently lives in New York City.

The musical group was formed in Kansas City by vocalist Cody Critcheloe. Ssion self-released their first album "Fucked Into Oblivion" in 1999. In 2003, Ssion made their label debut, releasing the EP "Minor Treat" and the album "Opportunity Bless My Soul" on Version City Records. In 2007, the group released their album "Fools Gold" accompanied with "Clown", a remix EP, on Sleazetone Records. 2011 saw the self-release of “Bent”, which was later re-released by Dovecote Records. The release of "Bent" coincided with a 3-day performance at MoMA PS1.

Ssion's releases have been well received by mainstream press, having appeared in The New York Times, Village Voice, Huffington Post, Interview Magazine and Dazed and Confused.

Critcheloe, known for extravagant shows, performs with a live band and as a DJ. He has toured with Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Gossip, Fischerspooner and House of Ladosha among others.

Critcheloe directs videos under the Ssion moniker. He has directed commissioned works for Kylie Minogue, Robyn, Peaches, Santigold, Perfume Genius, Liars and CSS among others. He also directs videos for the Ssion musical project.