Join us as we thrust into house music...

Week of 10 11 04

Xavier: XXX.

The club scene in New York has been generating stars for decades. From Madonna to DeeeLite to RuPaul.. but it's been a while. One wonders, who's next?

Enter Xavier.

This rising star has been making a name for himself recently performing all over New York.

(Yes he used MY Jersey girls on that flyer!)

Will Xavier be the next big thing? If you haven't heard his music yet, well.. you're missing out. We're delighted to give it to you now, along with an interview with the enigma himself...

--

When I think about great dance music I don't think about the original 'Give Me The Night'. Perhaps this is against my credit; but your version redeems the song in my mind. Was I missing something from the original that you got?

The original version is the shit, make no mistake, although the Quincy Jones jazzy pop production polish could cause it to slip under the radar. I was just a toddler in the early 80's, but I remember when this song first hit the airwaves I pooped myself, sat in it and felt warm all over. That's how I knew it was something special. The author of the tune, Rod Temperton had written a number of hits for 70's rock group Heatwave ("Boogie Nights"), and Michael Jackson ("Rock With You", "Thriller", "Off The Wall", and "Baby Be Mine"). George Benson's original vocals are wonderful; I just wanted to put more of an aggressive spin on it.

That you did, expertly I might add. Where did the Madonna/'Get Into the Groove' part come from?

Well, that Madonnalude just sort of popped in there while I was performing at Webster Hall. It even surprised me. Prior to the show, I had my first Red Bull drink ever, which literally made me tremble with energy and according to my dancers, I would not "shut the fuck up". So that's the headspace I was in.

Does Madonna's Kabbalah fix annoy you?

Oh, that Esther! I'm sure whatever that former insurance SALESMAN turned rabbi has to say is very compelling. My mormon wife Prudence and her radical faerie brother Sunbeam and I are waiting for the price on those red strings to drop once the new magic beans become available. Sorry, I meant to say KABBALAH magic beans.

There aren't many male vocalists who've made it in house music. Why not and what makes you so different?

Most men in house music sing in their falsetto and have a history singing in the church and deliver their vocals in that style. I didn't grow up singing in church. I'm a classically trained singer and I have more of a pop sounding voice. My melodic sensibilities when I write are also more rooted in 70's and 80's r&b and synth-pop than in gospel.

I think also that some male house/dance artists go for phony "drama" in their intonation.. and it comes off as silly and non-musical to anyone not on drugs. You completely avoid that trap. Instead of "dramatic", you sound sweet; and instead of "fierce" (such an overused, dead idea by now), you sound enthusiastic. This is refreshing to hear from a boy.

You used to be grouped into the now-dead electroclash "movement", which never made sense to me since your voice, your lyrics and your attitude are so non-cynical. Are you still the "soul of electroclash"?

I'm grateful I got the chance to perform as much as I did, but I never felt like I fit in. I felt like an undermining presence, somehow, which made me very frustrated and uncomfortable.

Well I for one am glad that you outlived that non-trend.

'The life you long for
is on the dancefloor.
Don't let the moment pass.
Now you have your chance.'
- Xavier, 'Disco Twilight'

'Disco Twilight' is fantastic. It's bouyant, innocent and lively and recalls the best of non-MTV 80s club music.. i.e. what would have been played at the Saint, or the Paradise Garage. This could be your equivalent of Madonna's 'Everybody'. 

You are too damn kind... I wrote the song after I became really disillusioned with NYC nightlife. In short: drugs + bad music sucks.

Tell that to Junior Vasquez.

There's good music out there, and that's where the magic happens. So put the crack pipe down and dance motherfucker.

Your lyrics, your tone of voice and your melodies express a lot of heart, ala early Stevie Wonder. I can't imagine that he isn't an influence on you.

Stevie is my hero. There is so much truth, consciousness, presence and purpose in his words and his voice. His melodies are transcendent. Stevie's not singing to make a quick buck, he really has something to say. He possesses a level of artistry that is severely lacking in today's popular music. If I can make people experience just 1/10th of the emotions that run through me when I hear Stevie Wonder sing, I've done my job.

Do you forgive Stevie for his 80s soft-rock?

There are some kick ass songs amongst the other less stellar ones from that period, you know: "Go Home", "Love Light In Flight", "Overjoyed", etc.
But yes, when you've had a career like his, it makes any missteps trivial.

To Stevie's credit, he's never turned to a former insurance salesman for wisdom. That's something I cannot forgive.

'From where I stand I can see everything I want clearly
The reason I was put on the earth,
everything I'm supposed to be,
to do my best to see sunrise in Tokyo.
That'd be cool.'
Xavier, 'Sunrise in Tokyo'

 
I love that little throwaway addendum - 'that'd be cool.'
In fact it would be. I'm impressed by someone with such an articulate, simple dream.
As for myself, I've always been afraid of going to Japan because at over 7 feet in heels, I would tower over the populace. I'm afraid their military would mistake me for a large radioactive creature and strike. No similar fears for you?

No.. *geisha giggle*

Any final thoughts for the readers of the House of Diabolique?

Let’s put an end to circumcision.

Amen, Xavier. The House of Diabolique thanks you for bringing some freshness back to NYC's club scene. NYC is not dead because of upbeat, energized performers like you, and anyone who thinks less is some kind of fool.

We're counting on you to once again bring a taste of NYC club culture to the masses.

'You got something I don't want nobody else to get..'
- Xavier, 'Reconsideration'

For more on Xavier and his new EP XXX check iTunes or visit his online abode. Xavier's bio is especially worth reading. Needless to say, he's not a virgin.

until next week, remember..
when you dance, we are a part of what you feel.

---

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