April 18, 2024 • 20 mins
Embark on a musical voyage with Cornwall's indie sensation, Xavier Jay. His thoughtful strums and lyrical honesty paint a portrait of youth and yearning in his thematic album "Is It Just a Thought?". Our insightful episode journeys through Xavier Jay's formative years, where music festivals and melodic parents struck the chords of his artistry. He unpacks the tapestry of jazz, alternative rock, and folk that defines his sound, inviting us into the intimate space of growth and the echoes of unrequited love that resonate within. As a multi-instrumentalist and a visual artist, Xavier Jay elucidates his process of forging auditory and visual storytelling while poised on the precipice of university life and new beginnings.
In the realm of indie music, we confront the enigma of artificial intelligence and its dual role as a muse and a maze for creatives like Xavier Jay. The discussion untangles the threads of AI in music production, the Extended Project Qualification focusing on AI-generated music, and the eclectic strategies indie artists employ for visibility in the digital landscape. Xavier Jay and I engage in a passionate dialogue about the significance of radio play, the intricacies of self-producing, and the evolving canvas that indie artists master with each note. Through our exchange, we celebrate curiosity and the unyielding pursuit of refinement, underpinning the narrative with our shared zeal for music and the boundless genres that shape our artistic identities.
https://linktr.ee/deblamotta
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hi and welcome to the R2RB Indie Artist Podcast
Series.
Today I have Xavier J from theUK with me.
And Xavier J, thank you so muchfor joining me.
How are you?
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Good, thank you.
Thank you for having me on.
Speaker 1 (00:13):
Oh, you're welcome.
What part of the UK are youfrom?
I'm from Cornwall in England,which is like the southwest part
Okay, and we were talking aboutthe weather before we got
started.
You have the wind and not sonice weather, and I have lots of
pouring rain coming down herein the states yeah right, all
(00:35):
right.
So I'd like to ask twoquestions to get us warmed up.
Um, if you could have anysuperpower, which one would you
have?
Speaker 2 (00:42):
um, I think I would like to be able to freeze time.
Um, yeah I think it'd be goodto kind of have like be able to
freeze time to do like theboring admin sort of stuff.
So then, when I can unfreezetime, be able to like enjoy
myself oh, I like that.
Speaker 1 (01:02):
I like that perspective.
I'm gonna have to think aboutthat one myself.
What's your favorite app onyour phone and why?
Speaker 2 (01:09):
um, I think I'd have to say youtube.
Um, just because of the sheerrange of stuff there is on there
, because like I've used it forlike learning music theory, but
also for kind of comedy, butalso learning like science stuff
, it's just there's just a loton there so there is a lot on
there.
Speaker 1 (01:29):
You're right, and and I I do the same thing too.
Um so, who is xavier jay?
Speaker 2 (01:35):
I'm 17, from the uk.
Um, I'm a bit of an introvert.
I guess the main thing that youneed to know about me is that
I'm just very passionate aboutcreativity and kind of like
expressing myself, and a lot ofthat's through music, but also
through like visual art as well,so that's kind of my main thing
(01:58):
.
Speaker 1 (01:58):
I guess yeah, no, absolutely.
So what first got you intomusic?
Speaker 2 (02:03):
um, well, I've kind of music's been a part of my
life since I was basically ababy, because my parents are
both very much musicians, verymusical, and so I was kind of
brought up around a good rangeof music and I went to a lot of
music festivals.
I think my first one was when Iwas like six months old.
(02:24):
So it's just always been a partof my life, I think.
Speaker 1 (02:27):
Oh wow, so are both your parents musicians, you said
, or just in general, bothmusicians, okay.
Speaker 2 (02:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:34):
Oh, wow.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
Not by trade, but they both have music degrees.
Oh wow.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
Oh, that's cool.
And do you play an instrument?
Do you play an instrument?
Do you play the guitar?
Speaker 2 (02:44):
Yeah, so I play guitar and bass and a bit of
keyboard as well, but yeah, Ialso sing, so that's kind of my
main thing.
Speaker 1 (02:55):
Well, here in the States it's high school.
Where are you in your schooling?
Speaker 2 (03:00):
So I'm in sixth form.
I did do a bit of researchbeforehand and I looked at what
it is in the US and I think atthe moment I'm in the equivalent
of grade 12, which is year 13in the UK.
Ok, yeah.
I'm just about to finish.
Speaker 1 (03:17):
Oh nice, and so will you be going off to university.
Yeah yeah, I've got a place tostudy music, so I'm really
looking forward to it, oh it, ohvery cool.
Is it in the UK or are yougoing somewhere in the UK?
Yeah, oh nice.
Oh my gosh, that's great.
So who's inspired you to makeyour music?
Speaker 2 (03:34):
well, I think it's.
I've got a bit of a bit of astory going on there, um,
because obviously I've grown uparound music but I didn't, for
some reason it didn't reallyclick in my head that it could
be something that I do with mylife, I guess.
Um, and it was.
I started listening to a lot oflike sort of the soul scene in
(03:57):
the UK and I really got intothis artist called Leanne La
Havas and her.
She plays guitar and she singsand her style of guitar playing
was really new to me and that'skind of what got me into playing
guitar initially and then kindof led me down that path of
right.
I'm going to write my own musicand try and make my own kind of
(04:19):
expression and have my ownjourney.
Speaker 1 (04:22):
And that you've had.
Speaker 2 (04:23):
Now you have six releases right yeah yeah, and so
tell us about the six releasesand in the inspiration for those
um well, they're all songs offthis album that I'm working on
called is it just a thought?
And they're all kind of theysit in this sort of, I guess,
(04:44):
jazz tinged sort of vibe, butthen I like to kind of
experiment with incorporatingother genres into that.
So, um, so like 6pm, forexample, has kind of there's
more like alt rock elements inthere yeah and then I've also
got like rain, which has got abit more of a folk influence.
(05:06):
So I think a lot of my workskind of centers around like jazz
, harmony and like sort of Iguess, soul influences as well.
But then I like to experimentwith other genres as well in
there.
Speaker 1 (05:17):
Yeah, when I first listened to you, I had to go
back and listen to you and thenI had to put all the pieces
together and so, yeah, there'sthat jazzy, folksy rock, all
those undertones, into yourmusic, and I thoroughly enjoy it
.
So do your songs tell a story?
Speaker 2 (05:41):
Yeah, so the album itself has it's kind of like a
running theme of like.
The theme was kind of centeredaround like the summer, I guess,
and it's like following a dayso like 6am 6pm, and there's
(06:01):
definitely a story there withit's kind of following my
experiences from like age 16 to17, um, and a lot of it's kind
of struggling with growing up,and then also there's elements
of like an unrequited love inthere as well.
It's kind of those are like thetwo main themes, I guess, and
it's just very it feels quite itfeels quite like teenage angst
(06:26):
in a way oh my gosh, exactly.
Speaker 1 (06:30):
And yet, and you have this platform to be able to
express those feelings.
And you know there's there'salways somebody else that has
been where you are and theirstory's going to be different,
but it's always nice for you tobe able to connect with those
other people yeah, definitelyyeah and so what's your writing
process like then?
Do you write do the music, dothe music right, do both um, it
(06:57):
tends to start with a guitarline.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
Um, usually I'm like I'm not ready for how, but it's
kind of like starline sorthappens and I kind of play
around with it a bit and havesome sort of structure and then
at some point it will just kindof click and all these like
lyrics will come out and all theemotions will suddenly be there
and I'm like, oh, this is asong now, all of a sudden.
But yeah, it tends to startwith a guitar line and then kind
(07:26):
of I find the meaning and thestructure and the lyrics.
Speaker 1 (07:28):
Along the way have you found yourself in a peculiar
place, and all these thoughtsare running through your head
and you just have to like find aplace to sit and write yeah, so
it tends to be.
Speaker 2 (07:39):
I don't.
I think most of literally allof my songs have been written
just from my bedroom, justbecause it's like.
It's like I just kind of gethome like de-stress and then
it's just kind of all like poursout your sanctuary yeah, pretty
much yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (07:55):
And so what do you have?
What are you working on now?
Speaker 2 (07:58):
um, so I'm just finishing.
The last kind of touches of thealbum is pretty much there, um,
and then I've also got someother stuff on the side which
I'm trying not to focus too muchon because I want to get the
album finished.
But I've got some moreelectronic stuff in the pipeline
, um, and then some more kind ofsimilar sort of vibe to the
(08:21):
album, but I don't know whenthat's okay, if that'll go
anywhere, but it's just kind ofon the long on the side cool,
very cool um.
Speaker 1 (08:30):
Who does the artwork?
Speaker 2 (08:32):
uh, I do, um, I I always do.
I've kind of been a bit of apainter and a drawer as well
from a young age and it was kindof the only other thing I
considered pursuing other thanmusic, um, so yeah, 6 am and 6
pm, that was a painting I did,and then the cover for the other
(08:55):
ones are just kind of picturesI've taken and sometimes like
edited and played around with.
But yeah, I do oh, awesome.
Speaker 1 (09:04):
yeah, I was looking at that as well and I was
wondering if it might be you whodid the artwork.
I like them a lot, absolutely.
Thank you, welcome.
Let me ask you this becausethis is a question I've been
asking a lot of my guests abouthow do you feel about the music
industries these days,especially how streaming has
affected indie music, artistsand also ai, artificial
(09:28):
intelligence?
Um, a good thing or a bad thing, or we need to learn how to
incorporate it the correct way.
That was a lot, no worries.
Speaker 2 (09:39):
Um, I think, in terms of streaming, I think there
needs to be a shift in howartists are paid, particularly,
and kind of how indie artistsare supported, because I mean,
I've found particularly likeobviously I'm not making any
sort of money off of my music,but like there's just such a low
(10:02):
pay rate and it's so hard forindie artists to get in there.
I think there needs to be somesort of shift in the streaming
platforms.
Um, and then in terms of AI,that's kind of I've got.
This is a bit of a special areafor me because, um, alongside
my A-levels, I did this thingcalled an extended project
(10:24):
qualification, which is likeworth half an a level, which is
like a UK thing.
Um, and I did mine on AIgenerated music oh wow, um, and
from what I gather, I don'tthink in terms of AI generated
music, I don't think there'smuch of a threat there just
because it's not very good.
(10:46):
It's still quite lacking.
But I would say, in terms ofthe way like chat GPT can be
used, I think if it's usedcorrectly, it can be a great
tool, but then it can also be abit of a threat in terms of how
much it can do in terms of, like, retaining knowledge and yeah,
(11:08):
I think it.
If it could be, if it's usedright, it could be a fantastic
tool, but it's a bit scary yeah,I agree and and other people
have said the same thing.
Speaker 1 (11:19):
as long as the AI is used in to the right way to help
other people, then it will be agood thing, but of course
there's always the bad side ofeverything, right?
Speaker 2 (11:30):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (11:31):
Always, oh my gosh.
And then the streaming With theindie artists.
It's such a hard uphill battlewith making any type of money
from streaming and the platformsof money from streaming and the
platforms the other platformthat I find interesting that
some of the indie artists havesaid to me and perhaps something
you can look into as well isnow getting onto radio shows,
(11:56):
either terrestrial or onlinethat that's helping them also to
maybe not so much to make them,you know, make money from that,
but to get out there more to beheard to help them in their
endeavors as well.
So yeah, it's a tough industryyeah, it's not like it used to
(12:17):
be and everybody works so hardand so passionate about.
You know what you all do withyour music and artwork apps.
You know it's.
It's a shame that it's come tothis, but hopefully that shift
is coming yeah, I hope so yeah,absolutely, you know, especially
for somebody you know young,like you.
And well, do you want to do?
Speaker 2 (12:35):
you do your music full-time um, I thought I would
love to.
Um, I think I think that's partof the reason why I've tried so
hard to get started now ratherthan later, because I want to.
I do want to take it somewhereand I'm hoping that if I start
now, at like age 17, thenhopefully when I get to that
(12:58):
point where I'm a bit more grownup, it might be sustainable,
hopefully yeah, I mean, you know, as you know, they'll say you
do the work and it will show inthe end.
Speaker 1 (13:08):
So you know, starting out where you are and putting
so much of your desire tosucceed at it, you will Thank
you I hope so you will.
What famous musicians do youadmire or who's your influencer?
Anybody.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
Oh, I think I could think of so many artists.
I mean, I try to listen to asmuch music as I can because I
think I find sometimes there'san element from a completely
different genre that I'm like,oh, this would really fit here,
(13:53):
break those genre barriers.
So like artists like Radioheador like Bjork or I guess, leanne
La Havas, um, but yeah, I tryto take as inspiration from as
many artists I can really yeah,I I'm very eclectic in my music
as well.
Speaker 1 (14:03):
I'll listen to any genre, because otherwise you
don't, you might miss somebodyyeah, you know, in each genre,
you genre, you will findsomething you like.
I follow Santel and he was theone who had put that post up.
Don't not listen to a genrebecause you think you're not
going to like it, and thatincludes rap and all the way to
(14:26):
classical music.
Speaker 2 (14:27):
Yeah, definitely.
Speaker 1 (14:28):
Right, there's always something good.
So what's the best advicesomeone has given you?
Speaker 2 (14:35):
um well, I can't remember who gave me this advice
particularly, and it's reallysimple advice, but I think the
best advice I've had is just uhto ask um to do stuff.
Because I think like a greatexample would be like I didn't
think I could do music tech asan A-level subject because I
(14:59):
hadn't had the GCSE in music,which is the other qualification
in the UK.
But I asked and I could, and ifI hadn't asked I wouldn't have
taken it and then I wouldn'thave, uh, started learning how
to use, how to produce music andrecord music and then I
wouldn't have started, likereleasing my own music.
So I think asking is just suchan important thing to do because
(15:22):
no one's going to assume thatyou like know what's going on, I
think.
So just ask absolutely.
Speaker 1 (15:30):
I like that.
And what's the worst thatthey're going to say is no, and
then you just move on to thenext right yeah, yeah,
absolutely yeah, and, and so oneof the questions I was going to
ask you, you know, do yourecord, you produce, you
engineer, you master, you do all, the all the work yourself?
Speaker 2 (15:47):
yeah, I mean it's probably a bit rough around the
edges.
Speaker 1 (15:53):
You're doing it, thank you, yeah, you're doing it
and, as you said, being youknow where you are in your
career.
You're just and you're going tolearn and it's we're, believe
me, I'm still learning.
So it's always that continuallearning process and asking
questions.
I mean that's two greatattributes to have.
Speaker 2 (16:16):
Yeah, Thank you.
Yeah, I'm still learning.
Speaker 1 (16:22):
Yeah, don't worry, you'll be learning all along the
way, you and me, right Untilyou're ready to retire and if I
didn't keep asking questions andkeep learning, I wouldn't be
doing what I'm doing at thisstage of my life.
So, yeah, never stopreinventing or redoing or
whatever you love doing.
I just love this conversationwith you because, when I had
(16:46):
said in the beginning, when youpopped up on History Feed, it's
like oh, who is this young man?
And let me listen, because Ibelieve, and let me ask you this
question um, do you feel thatthe indie artists all over
support each other in a big way?
Speaker 2 (17:04):
yeah, I mean I'm I'm pretty terrible at um, keeping
up to date with social media,which is not great, but from the
stuff that I have seen, it'sbeen so supportive and
everyone's so nice and gone likethis is like welcome to this
really cool community that'sreally supportive of each other.
(17:26):
So, yeah, definitely.
Speaker 1 (17:28):
Yeah, I find that the indie artists are are the
biggest supporters, supportersof each other.
So what else do you like to dobesides your music?
I know you're really busy withschool and your music, and do
you have any other outsideinterests besides those two, or
do do those two things consumeyou right now?
Speaker 2 (17:46):
I mean at the moment, yeah, but um, when I have more
time, I do really like, uh,drawing and painting, um, and I
think I like to kind of expressmyself visually and by hearing,
I guess both ways, yeah, um, Ialso I think I'm quite
(18:07):
interested in just the worlditself.
I like I wish I had more timeto just kind of experience
everything in life have you doneit?
Speaker 1 (18:22):
have you done any traveling yet out of the UK?
Speaker 2 (18:25):
no, I'm in the process right now of trying to
get my passport applicationthrough and my photo keeps
getting.
Photos keep getting rejected,so really yeah, it's really
annoying.
I keep on taking new ones and Ispent like uh like six pounds
on like a proper like photobooth one and that got rejected
too are they telling you?
Speaker 1 (18:46):
what are they why?
Speaker 2 (18:48):
uh, the first time it was like my picture was too
blurry, and then the second timeit was like I wasn't looking at
the camera, even though I was.
But yeah, hopefully.
Speaker 1 (19:01):
I can get it sorted so I can have a bit of an
explore.
Well, Xavier, Jay, well, telleverybody where they can find
you, where they can find yourmusic.
Speaker 2 (19:11):
Well, I'm on most major streaming platforms,
platforms, um.
Find me on bandcamp as well,and then I'm on facebook,
instagram, tiktok and youtube,as like xavier j music, or just
xavier j, I think.
Speaker 1 (19:25):
Um, yeah, just most platforms pretty much yep, I
found you on bandcamp, so sofollow him.
Like him.
Comment share, because all theindie artists that just helps
them, uh, get bumped around andseen by everybody.
Um, xavier j, thank you so muchfor sitting down with me and
(19:46):
talking about you, and I lookforward to following your career
thank you, yeah, thank you forhaving me on here nice to speak
to you, thank you.
Yep, I'll have to check in withyou and and honestly, uh, keep
tabs on you.
Thank you.
Is there anything else you'dlike to share that we haven't
touched on?
Speaker 2 (20:06):
uh, no, keep an eye out for when I get my album
release sorted.
Um, yeah, do you have an idea?
I'll be soon okay, you do.
Speaker 1 (20:15):
It is going to be soon.
All right, cool, I'll keepeverybody updated on r2rb as
well and thank you, if you letme know we can do some promotion
for you prior to the release,so I have fun doing that, um
thank you yeah, yeah.
Well, thank you all right,xavier, I'm going to let you
enjoy the rest of your day and,uh, we will talk soon yeah,
thank you you're welcome, thankyou.
Hi and welcome to the R2RB Indie Artist Podcast
Series.
Today I have Xavier J from theUK with me.
And Xavier J, thank you so muchfor joining me.
How are you?
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Good, thank you.
Thank you for having me on.
Speaker 1 (00:13):
Oh, you're welcome.
What part of the UK are youfrom?
I'm from Cornwall in England,which is like the southwest part
Okay, and we were talking aboutthe weather before we got
started.
You have the wind and not sonice weather, and I have lots of
pouring rain coming down herein the states yeah right, all
(00:35):
right.
So I'd like to ask twoquestions to get us warmed up.
Um, if you could have anysuperpower, which one would you
have?
Speaker 2 (00:42):
um, I think I would like to be able to freeze time.
Um, yeah I think it'd be goodto kind of have like be able to
freeze time to do like theboring admin sort of stuff.
So then, when I can unfreezetime, be able to like enjoy
myself oh, I like that.
Speaker 1 (01:02):
I like that perspective.
I'm gonna have to think aboutthat one myself.
What's your favorite app onyour phone and why?
Speaker 2 (01:09):
um, I think I'd have to say youtube.
Um, just because of the sheerrange of stuff there is on there
, because like I've used it forlike learning music theory, but
also for kind of comedy, butalso learning like science stuff
, it's just there's just a loton there so there is a lot on
there.
Speaker 1 (01:29):
You're right, and and I I do the same thing too.
Um so, who is xavier jay?
Speaker 2 (01:35):
I'm 17, from the uk.
Um, I'm a bit of an introvert.
I guess the main thing that youneed to know about me is that
I'm just very passionate aboutcreativity and kind of like
expressing myself, and a lot ofthat's through music, but also
through like visual art as well,so that's kind of my main thing
(01:58):
.
Speaker 1 (01:58):
I guess yeah, no, absolutely.
So what first got you intomusic?
Speaker 2 (02:03):
um, well, I've kind of music's been a part of my
life since I was basically ababy, because my parents are
both very much musicians, verymusical, and so I was kind of
brought up around a good rangeof music and I went to a lot of
music festivals.
I think my first one was when Iwas like six months old.
(02:24):
So it's just always been a partof my life, I think.
Speaker 1 (02:27):
Oh wow, so are both your parents musicians, you said
, or just in general, bothmusicians, okay.
Speaker 2 (02:33):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (02:34):
Oh, wow.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
Not by trade, but they both have music degrees.
Oh wow.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
Oh, that's cool.
And do you play an instrument?
Do you play an instrument?
Do you play the guitar?
Speaker 2 (02:44):
Yeah, so I play guitar and bass and a bit of
keyboard as well, but yeah, Ialso sing, so that's kind of my
main thing.
Speaker 1 (02:55):
Well, here in the States it's high school.
Where are you in your schooling?
Speaker 2 (03:00):
So I'm in sixth form.
I did do a bit of researchbeforehand and I looked at what
it is in the US and I think atthe moment I'm in the equivalent
of grade 12, which is year 13in the UK.
Ok, yeah.
I'm just about to finish.
Speaker 1 (03:17):
Oh nice, and so will you be going off to university.
Yeah yeah, I've got a place tostudy music, so I'm really
looking forward to it, oh it, ohvery cool.
Is it in the UK or are yougoing somewhere in the UK?
Yeah, oh nice.
Oh my gosh, that's great.
So who's inspired you to makeyour music?
Speaker 2 (03:34):
well, I think it's.
I've got a bit of a bit of astory going on there, um,
because obviously I've grown uparound music but I didn't, for
some reason it didn't reallyclick in my head that it could
be something that I do with mylife, I guess.
Um, and it was.
I started listening to a lot oflike sort of the soul scene in
(03:57):
the UK and I really got intothis artist called Leanne La
Havas and her.
She plays guitar and she singsand her style of guitar playing
was really new to me and that'skind of what got me into playing
guitar initially and then kindof led me down that path of
right.
I'm going to write my own musicand try and make my own kind of
(04:19):
expression and have my ownjourney.
Speaker 1 (04:22):
And that you've had.
Speaker 2 (04:23):
Now you have six releases right yeah yeah, and so
tell us about the six releasesand in the inspiration for those
um well, they're all songs offthis album that I'm working on
called is it just a thought?
And they're all kind of theysit in this sort of, I guess,
(04:44):
jazz tinged sort of vibe, butthen I like to kind of
experiment with incorporatingother genres into that.
So, um, so like 6pm, forexample, has kind of there's
more like alt rock elements inthere yeah and then I've also
got like rain, which has got abit more of a folk influence.
(05:06):
So I think a lot of my workskind of centers around like jazz
, harmony and like sort of Iguess, soul influences as well.
But then I like to experimentwith other genres as well in
there.
Speaker 1 (05:17):
Yeah, when I first listened to you, I had to go
back and listen to you and thenI had to put all the pieces
together and so, yeah, there'sthat jazzy, folksy rock, all
those undertones, into yourmusic, and I thoroughly enjoy it
.
So do your songs tell a story?
Speaker 2 (05:41):
Yeah, so the album itself has it's kind of like a
running theme of like.
The theme was kind of centeredaround like the summer, I guess,
and it's like following a dayso like 6am 6pm, and there's
(06:01):
definitely a story there withit's kind of following my
experiences from like age 16 to17, um, and a lot of it's kind
of struggling with growing up,and then also there's elements
of like an unrequited love inthere as well.
It's kind of those are like thetwo main themes, I guess, and
it's just very it feels quite itfeels quite like teenage angst
(06:26):
in a way oh my gosh, exactly.
Speaker 1 (06:30):
And yet, and you have this platform to be able to
express those feelings.
And you know there's there'salways somebody else that has
been where you are and theirstory's going to be different,
but it's always nice for you tobe able to connect with those
other people yeah, definitelyyeah and so what's your writing
process like then?
Do you write do the music, dothe music right, do both um, it
(06:57):
tends to start with a guitarline.
Speaker 2 (07:00):
Um, usually I'm like I'm not ready for how, but it's
kind of like starline sorthappens and I kind of play
around with it a bit and havesome sort of structure and then
at some point it will just kindof click and all these like
lyrics will come out and all theemotions will suddenly be there
and I'm like, oh, this is asong now, all of a sudden.
But yeah, it tends to startwith a guitar line and then kind
(07:26):
of I find the meaning and thestructure and the lyrics.
Speaker 1 (07:28):
Along the way have you found yourself in a peculiar
place, and all these thoughtsare running through your head
and you just have to like find aplace to sit and write yeah, so
it tends to be.
Speaker 2 (07:39):
I don't.
I think most of literally allof my songs have been written
just from my bedroom, justbecause it's like.
It's like I just kind of gethome like de-stress and then
it's just kind of all like poursout your sanctuary yeah, pretty
much yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (07:55):
And so what do you have?
What are you working on now?
Speaker 2 (07:58):
um, so I'm just finishing.
The last kind of touches of thealbum is pretty much there, um,
and then I've also got someother stuff on the side which
I'm trying not to focus too muchon because I want to get the
album finished.
But I've got some moreelectronic stuff in the pipeline
, um, and then some more kind ofsimilar sort of vibe to the
(08:21):
album, but I don't know whenthat's okay, if that'll go
anywhere, but it's just kind ofon the long on the side cool,
very cool um.
Speaker 1 (08:30):
Who does the artwork?
Speaker 2 (08:32):
uh, I do, um, I I always do.
I've kind of been a bit of apainter and a drawer as well
from a young age and it was kindof the only other thing I
considered pursuing other thanmusic, um, so yeah, 6 am and 6
pm, that was a painting I did,and then the cover for the other
(08:55):
ones are just kind of picturesI've taken and sometimes like
edited and played around with.
But yeah, I do oh, awesome.
Speaker 1 (09:04):
yeah, I was looking at that as well and I was
wondering if it might be you whodid the artwork.
I like them a lot, absolutely.
Thank you, welcome.
Let me ask you this becausethis is a question I've been
asking a lot of my guests abouthow do you feel about the music
industries these days,especially how streaming has
affected indie music, artistsand also ai, artificial
(09:28):
intelligence?
Um, a good thing or a bad thing, or we need to learn how to
incorporate it the correct way.
That was a lot, no worries.
Speaker 2 (09:39):
Um, I think, in terms of streaming, I think there
needs to be a shift in howartists are paid, particularly,
and kind of how indie artistsare supported, because I mean,
I've found particularly likeobviously I'm not making any
sort of money off of my music,but like there's just such a low
(10:02):
pay rate and it's so hard forindie artists to get in there.
I think there needs to be somesort of shift in the streaming
platforms.
Um, and then in terms of AI,that's kind of I've got.
This is a bit of a special areafor me because, um, alongside
my A-levels, I did this thingcalled an extended project
(10:24):
qualification, which is likeworth half an a level, which is
like a UK thing.
Um, and I did mine on AIgenerated music oh wow, um, and
from what I gather, I don'tthink in terms of AI generated
music, I don't think there'smuch of a threat there just
because it's not very good.
(10:46):
It's still quite lacking.
But I would say, in terms ofthe way like chat GPT can be
used, I think if it's usedcorrectly, it can be a great
tool, but then it can also be abit of a threat in terms of how
much it can do in terms of, like, retaining knowledge and yeah,
(11:08):
I think it.
If it could be, if it's usedright, it could be a fantastic
tool, but it's a bit scary yeah,I agree and and other people
have said the same thing.
Speaker 1 (11:19):
as long as the AI is used in to the right way to help
other people, then it will be agood thing, but of course
there's always the bad side ofeverything, right?
Speaker 2 (11:30):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (11:31):
Always, oh my gosh.
And then the streaming With theindie artists.
It's such a hard uphill battlewith making any type of money
from streaming and the platformsof money from streaming and the
platforms the other platformthat I find interesting that
some of the indie artists havesaid to me and perhaps something
you can look into as well isnow getting onto radio shows,
(11:56):
either terrestrial or onlinethat that's helping them also to
maybe not so much to make them,you know, make money from that,
but to get out there more to beheard to help them in their
endeavors as well.
So yeah, it's a tough industryyeah, it's not like it used to
(12:17):
be and everybody works so hardand so passionate about.
You know what you all do withyour music and artwork apps.
You know it's.
It's a shame that it's come tothis, but hopefully that shift
is coming yeah, I hope so yeah,absolutely, you know, especially
for somebody you know young,like you.
And well, do you want to do?
Speaker 2 (12:35):
you do your music full-time um, I thought I would
love to.
Um, I think I think that's partof the reason why I've tried so
hard to get started now ratherthan later, because I want to.
I do want to take it somewhereand I'm hoping that if I start
now, at like age 17, thenhopefully when I get to that
(12:58):
point where I'm a bit more grownup, it might be sustainable,
hopefully yeah, I mean, you know, as you know, they'll say you
do the work and it will show inthe end.
Speaker 1 (13:08):
So you know, starting out where you are and putting
so much of your desire tosucceed at it, you will Thank
you I hope so you will.
What famous musicians do youadmire or who's your influencer?
Anybody.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
Oh, I think I could think of so many artists.
I mean, I try to listen to asmuch music as I can because I
think I find sometimes there'san element from a completely
different genre that I'm like,oh, this would really fit here,
(13:53):
break those genre barriers.
So like artists like Radioheador like Bjork or I guess, leanne
La Havas, um, but yeah, I tryto take as inspiration from as
many artists I can really yeah,I I'm very eclectic in my music
as well.
Speaker 1 (14:03):
I'll listen to any genre, because otherwise you
don't, you might miss somebodyyeah, you know, in each genre,
you genre, you will findsomething you like.
I follow Santel and he was theone who had put that post up.
Don't not listen to a genrebecause you think you're not
going to like it, and thatincludes rap and all the way to
(14:26):
classical music.
Speaker 2 (14:27):
Yeah, definitely.
Speaker 1 (14:28):
Right, there's always something good.
So what's the best advicesomeone has given you?
Speaker 2 (14:35):
um well, I can't remember who gave me this advice
particularly, and it's reallysimple advice, but I think the
best advice I've had is just uhto ask um to do stuff.
Because I think like a greatexample would be like I didn't
think I could do music tech asan A-level subject because I
(14:59):
hadn't had the GCSE in music,which is the other qualification
in the UK.
But I asked and I could, and ifI hadn't asked I wouldn't have
taken it and then I wouldn'thave, uh, started learning how
to use, how to produce music andrecord music and then I
wouldn't have started, likereleasing my own music.
So I think asking is just suchan important thing to do because
(15:22):
no one's going to assume thatyou like know what's going on, I
think.
So just ask absolutely.
Speaker 1 (15:30):
I like that.
And what's the worst thatthey're going to say is no, and
then you just move on to thenext right yeah, yeah,
absolutely yeah, and, and so oneof the questions I was going to
ask you, you know, do yourecord, you produce, you
engineer, you master, you do all, the all the work yourself?
Speaker 2 (15:47):
yeah, I mean it's probably a bit rough around the
edges.
Speaker 1 (15:53):
You're doing it, thank you, yeah, you're doing it
and, as you said, being youknow where you are in your
career.
You're just and you're going tolearn and it's we're, believe
me, I'm still learning.
So it's always that continuallearning process and asking
questions.
I mean that's two greatattributes to have.
Speaker 2 (16:16):
Yeah, Thank you.
Yeah, I'm still learning.
Speaker 1 (16:22):
Yeah, don't worry, you'll be learning all along the
way, you and me, right Untilyou're ready to retire and if I
didn't keep asking questions andkeep learning, I wouldn't be
doing what I'm doing at thisstage of my life.
So, yeah, never stopreinventing or redoing or
whatever you love doing.
I just love this conversationwith you because, when I had
(16:46):
said in the beginning, when youpopped up on History Feed, it's
like oh, who is this young man?
And let me listen, because Ibelieve, and let me ask you this
question um, do you feel thatthe indie artists all over
support each other in a big way?
Speaker 2 (17:04):
yeah, I mean I'm I'm pretty terrible at um, keeping
up to date with social media,which is not great, but from the
stuff that I have seen, it'sbeen so supportive and
everyone's so nice and gone likethis is like welcome to this
really cool community that'sreally supportive of each other.
(17:26):
So, yeah, definitely.
Speaker 1 (17:28):
Yeah, I find that the indie artists are are the
biggest supporters, supportersof each other.
So what else do you like to dobesides your music?
I know you're really busy withschool and your music, and do
you have any other outsideinterests besides those two, or
do do those two things consumeyou right now?
Speaker 2 (17:46):
I mean at the moment, yeah, but um, when I have more
time, I do really like, uh,drawing and painting, um, and I
think I like to kind of expressmyself visually and by hearing,
I guess both ways, yeah, um, Ialso I think I'm quite
(18:07):
interested in just the worlditself.
I like I wish I had more timeto just kind of experience
everything in life have you doneit?
Speaker 1 (18:22):
have you done any traveling yet out of the UK?
Speaker 2 (18:25):
no, I'm in the process right now of trying to
get my passport applicationthrough and my photo keeps
getting.
Photos keep getting rejected,so really yeah, it's really
annoying.
I keep on taking new ones and Ispent like uh like six pounds
on like a proper like photobooth one and that got rejected
too are they telling you?
Speaker 1 (18:46):
what are they why?
Speaker 2 (18:48):
uh, the first time it was like my picture was too
blurry, and then the second timeit was like I wasn't looking at
the camera, even though I was.
But yeah, hopefully.
Speaker 1 (19:01):
I can get it sorted so I can have a bit of an
explore.
Well, Xavier, Jay, well, telleverybody where they can find
you, where they can find yourmusic.
Speaker 2 (19:11):
Well, I'm on most major streaming platforms,
platforms, um.
Find me on bandcamp as well,and then I'm on facebook,
instagram, tiktok and youtube,as like xavier j music, or just
xavier j, I think.
Speaker 1 (19:25):
Um, yeah, just most platforms pretty much yep, I
found you on bandcamp, so sofollow him.
Like him.
Comment share, because all theindie artists that just helps
them, uh, get bumped around andseen by everybody.
Um, xavier j, thank you so muchfor sitting down with me and
(19:46):
talking about you, and I lookforward to following your career
thank you, yeah, thank you forhaving me on here nice to speak
to you, thank you.
Yep, I'll have to check in withyou and and honestly, uh, keep
tabs on you.
Thank you.
Is there anything else you'dlike to share that we haven't
touched on?
Speaker 2 (20:06):
uh, no, keep an eye out for when I get my album
release sorted.
Um, yeah, do you have an idea?
I'll be soon okay, you do.
Speaker 1 (20:15):
It is going to be soon.
All right, cool, I'll keepeverybody updated on r2rb as
well and thank you, if you letme know we can do some promotion
for you prior to the release,so I have fun doing that, um
thank you yeah, yeah.
Well, thank you all right,xavier, I'm going to let you
enjoy the rest of your day and,uh, we will talk soon yeah,
thank you you're welcome, thankyou.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist
It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com