Exposed Vocals Interviews XVVIXR

Xavier stylized as ‘XVVIXR’ is a rapper and performer from Toronto, Canada.

Born in Toronto XVVIXR’s appreciation for music and performing began at an early age. From watching electric circus on Friday nights, to staying up to watch metal music videos during Beavis & Butthead on MTV, he gained an appreciation and understanding for music that would develop into the sound you hear today. With a style and sound all his own, XVVIXR is ready to make his mark on the charts and global music scene.

With the release of his first full-length album ‘Daemones Angelis Meis’, in June of 2015, XVVIXR asserted himself as a trailblazer in Toronto’s music scene. After his albums’ release, XVVIXR hit the ground running and took his marketing overseas to Australia & the United Kingdom, giving away over 500 copies of his project in order to build his fan base and network on a global scale. “If I give away 500 plus CDs and gain only one genuine fan. I’m satisfied because I know one life I’ve changed for the better.

It’s quite evident that XVVIXR isn’t afraid to humble himself, bringing both the joys & pains of life into his music making way for his dark yet energetic presence, cunning flow, and witty delivery to shine through on every track. Drawing on both EDM and Trap, XVVIXR is definitely bringing a new, creative sound that is currently missing on the urban music scene.

When asked what his motivation was XVVIXR simply answered, “I do this for the love, but more for that one person who was always afraid to be true to themselves and succeed. I’m the living proof that it is possible [to succeed], and no matter how alone you feel someone understands, and that someone is me.”

Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?

XVVIXR: I don’t know where I grew up cause I’m an old soul. Physically I grew up in an area known as Jane & Finch, in Toronto, Ontario, then later on moved to Brampton in my teens. I decided to become an artist because I set a goal for myself in my younger years that I wanted to have a career where I can be myself all the time. I wasn’t solely thinking of music but music turned out to be a talent I didn’t even know I had.

Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?

XVVIXR: Xavier is actually my given name, I decided to stylize it XVVIXR to give it more of a cabal type feel. That way it’s fitting to my sound and brand.

Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?

XVVIXR: I think online music sharing is great, it’s the modern day boom box when you think of it. You hear a song, you download it, and then if you like the follow up single you still buy the album. Just like when you would hear a song on the radio dub it and then later go to the shop and buy the album. It’s just a much faster process now.

I do give away music for free, quite a bit actually. I don’t have millions of dollars worth of marketing, and I’m on my come up so sometimes I have to suck it up to supply and create a demand. Yea, it’s a good feeling to be paid for your work; but no one wants to spend money on something their unsure of. I give away free music because I know the listener will turn around and purchase my music in the future.

Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?

XVVIXR: For bands I would say get a few cover songs under your belt but make sure they have your bands style to it. Use the covers to do stage shows and build your fan base meanwhile you work on your original material. Artists I’d say make sure your confident in your sound and then find a producer who fits your sound, and you have chemistry with. It’s also really important to build relationships with promoters and radio personalities, and just plug your music, tastefully.

Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?

XVVIXR: I gather my inspiration from my life, yea it’s sounds cliche, but it’s the truth. Inspiration comes from my interests, to life experiences, and thoughts combined. My song writing process varies based on the project. My upcoming project “Nocturne” was written in the early hours after 3am, the witching hour. “Daemones Angelis Meis” was written while my favourite horror movies were playing muted on the TV, I’d look up occasionally probably laugh or geek at the scene and get back to writing. I do these things because of the overall sound and concept I’m trying to achieve. That’s a whole other convo though.

Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?

XVVIXR: My website is being redesigned, but I’m XVVIXR on all social media platforms. This includes, Soundcloud, Yungcloud, Youtube, Vimeo, Bandcamp, Facebook, Logamp, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, and Tumblr.

Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?

XVVIXR: Easy, go to Bora Bora with kate, belly, short stop, rainbow & punt. Then I’d spend all my time making music and look into getting Tarentino and Zombie (Rob Zombie) to direct videos for me.

XVVIXR – Reign (Official Music Video) from XVVIXR on Vimeo.

Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?

XVVIXR: The best way I’d say is word of mouth and live performances. I always get people saying days or sometimes weeks after ”my boy told me about your performance he said it was sick.” or “yooo I remember that performance you did that was tight”. If you can get people talking about your music without you having to actually be there, then your on the right track. Although, I find social media does help to a degree, but it’s tricky.

Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?

XVVIXR: Want to talk about yes, able to talk about, not as much hahaha. Well lets see I got my Orientation Mixtape coming up, a joint project called Nagasaki with Frank “Mr 100” Douglas, Nocturne is set for release in May, and a few other things that they haven’t allowed me to disclose as of yet.

Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?

XVVIXR: I’d probably be an architect, or doing something within the arts.

Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?

XVVIXR: With both hands and feet, and a couple druids to help carry the weight. It’s a lot of work because it’s a full time career that takes 26hrs a day on top of your regular life. I try to capitalize on every chance I get to work on music and stay ahead. My work ethic is so unorthodox. but I like it ’cause it means I’m always 3 stages ahead of of current stuff, musically speaking.

Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?

XVVIXR: Fans should look forward to me being the voice of EDM Rap in Canada, and a whole lot of music that is unlike anything they’ve ever experienced.