Exposed Vocals Interviews Exzavier Whitley

Exzavier Whitley is an American Singer, Songwriter, composer, and musician that grew up in Denver Colorado and Raised in Denver. Though following his dreams, Exzavier continued writing and wrote short poems on his past times. Exzavier started to participate in song writing contests year round, and stayed up long nights finding different and unusual tunings for his guitars. He first started working with American rock band Crown of Thorns bassist Michael Paige, where he recorded his very first single “This Way”. Though it was never released, Exzavier keeps it as memory. After many years of dedication and hard work Exzavier Whitley is a now a profound Contemporary Folk Artist and on top of having 1 introductory album and EP completed Exzavier now is working with a brand new upcoming Singer-Songwriter, Acoustic Folk and blues Album titled “Oppressed” featuring folk and acoustic rock artists Lee Nelson, Lisa Von H, and Folk Artist John Bilyk alongside Exzavier Whitley coming up.

 He spent his early childhood with grief, pain, and tears. In 2005 he won an award for best poem in his elementary school and writing. He then began making short stories that tied in to his haunting past and used writing as a outlet. In his later years he began turning writing into lyrics for songs in 2006. He also kept some of his songs to himself for personal reasons. In 2008, Exzavier got his first guitar. He did not want anything to with it but after a few days he decided to learn how to play it in hopes to fulfill its use instead of letting it sit there, After 2 months of practicing he found himself to love playing. He is self taught on all the varieties of instruments he plays. in 2010 he recorded tidbits of his songs on his phone that he wrote in the past to let out the personal connections between his present day and his past. He has also done theater and film work in his early years. Starting with work and a completed play at the Inside Out Community Arts Program in Culver City, California in 2008 to 2009 and graduated with honorary awards.  His first serious  acting role being in a short pilot named “Movies 4 yo broke a** alongside his uncle, Professional Comedian Vargus Mason. He also has a brief passion for cooking and attended Katie’s Cooking School based in Encino, California which he completed a successful 5 months.

Following his dreams, Exzavier continued writing and wrote short poems on his past times. Exzavier started to participate in song writing contests year round, and stayed up long nights finding different and unusual tunings for his guitars. Following his dreams, Exzavier continued writing and wrote short poems on his past times. He first started working with American rock band Crown of Thorns bassist Michael Paige, where he recorded his very first single “This Way”.  After years of hard work, writing, feelings, and mastering his craft, Exzavier Whitley is a now a profound Contemporary Folk Artist, Exzavier has released a 4 song EP called “Gone West” which features two great female UK Singer/Songwriters alongside him,  Lisa Von H and Helen Rae Glindemann. And a standalone introductory album “Backroads” and now an upcoming album “Oppressed”.

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

Exzavier Whitley :
I grew up in the east side of Denver, Colorado  and moved to South Aroura around 3. I felt I could do much more with my time since growing up wasn’t easy at all and I’ve struggled for most of my life so the only way I could ever feel any better was to read, write, and study. I had received my first Guitar at the age of 9 from my mother who had bought it at a local Walmart at the time.  I didn’t know how to play at all so most of the time it would sit there and collect dust. Throughout the time, I saw many musicians playing it so well,  and aside from feeling horrible about my mother buying me something and not appreciating it or using it struck me in my heart alot, so I decided to finally take the time to teach myself how to play and struggled with playing for 3 years and by 2012 I had perfected most of the Guitar as well as 20 different instruments including singing and decided I wanted to be a musician for the rest of my time.

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

Exzavier Whitley : Well, this name was given to me at the time of birth and is similar to my little brothers name Isaiah so maybe my mom wanted it to be similar.  My first name is spelled a bit differently than most so alot of people mistake my name for being spelled “Xavier”.  From the research I have done about my name it is considered a French name deriving from the almighty French ruler Excalibur and sword. I have been adopted over three times and at the age of 3 to 5 years old my name was changed to Suhn “Sunny” Shyne Miller but in 2006 I had legally changed my name back to my original name Exzavier Shakur Whitley.

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

Exzavier Whitley : Online music sharing is definitely not a bad thing and is one of the best ways of getting your music out there if it’s hard out in the real world.  But playing shows, and hand to hand Digital CD selling is the best way to go about getting yourself out there.  I do give out free songs and artwork because I understand that not everyone has money to just throw away even at original beautiful art such as music and times are changing with the way people get music, unfortunately alot of it is Illegally downloaded for free and doesn’t support the artist behind the music but when someone does pay and appreciates your hard work,  it is one of the best feelings you can feel. But overall I think everyone deserves good music so handing out a few free song downloads is a way of saying thank you to everyone who listens or even cares and a way to get your music to people at ease. But never sell yourself short and give it all away for free.

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?

Exzavier Whitley :
What I can say is, believe in yourself to fullest extent and always dream big. Never get off track with high hopes because you will be let down more than you seeing any progress but never let it stop you because when you allow that negativity from yourself and others you lose focus on what you really are trying to achieve.  Never be afraid to submit music anywhere, just buckle down and put it anywhere you can.

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

Exzavier Whitley : Most of my writing comes from my current and past feelings and thoughts, mainly negative but I do my best to write them all out to avoid being saddened by any of it.  Sometimes I get inspiration from my surroundings such as mountains, certain areas that I’m in. Aound in the beautiful state of Colorado there is a lot I feel you can be inspired by.  Some of my writing also comes from my past which I don’t want to get too much into but I relay most of it on paper. The process to my Songwriting is based on how I feel or what I am thinking at the moment and if that resonates with whatever I have on the guitar, I write it down.

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

Exzavier Whitley :
Yes,  I do have a music website created with Wix. All of my recent dates and photos are available there and is the most important to have when being a musician. I also use Facebook, Twitter, YouTube,  Reverbnation,  Soundcloud,  LinkedIn and much more!

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

Exzavier Whitley : First get some Mary Jane, a new house probably in Canada, buy up half of the mall and whatever is left goes to the bank.

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

Exzavier Whitley : The use of the Internet, live shows, word of mouth, Facebook, Twitter, Soundcloud, Reverbnation, ad services all work really well for me when pushing new material.

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

 Exzavier Whitley : I have a  upcoming Folk Album titled “Oppressed” which was due to release April of 2016 but due to distribution issues I was unable to release it at that time but hopefully by the end of this year I can put it out. After the release of “Oppressed” I plan to release 10 new lyric and visual videos apart of the “Oppressed” Album. After the online release of “Oppressed” I have plans for another acoustic album titled “Page 1” which will include cuts from “Oppressed”  and I have 18 songs ready for that next cd. I also have recently worked with a great local Denver band called 3Piece Special and recorded a new single titled “Never Fails” which was recorded by band engineer Joe Gallardo and his bassist Luis Higa in Littleton, Colorado along with studio footage as well so that’s coming soon.

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

Exzavier Whitley :
I don’t think I can see myself doing anything else than music really. Maybe flipping a few burgers at mcdonalds.

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

 Exzavier Whitley : Mainly take care of my responsibilities first, then try to gain something out of it whether it be a positive message or inspiration while I take care of business then use that to find writing material.

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

Exzavier Whitley: Alot of original music, two albums, 10 lyric and visual videos,  Exclusive photo content, artwork,  and a new Exzavier because everyday I do my best to make sure I better myself and learn new things because knowledge is certainly power.