LA-based producer Xavage has had quite the breakout year in 2019. He kicked things off with a string of impressive self releases that included ‘Pull Up,’ ‘Strike A Pose,’ and ‘Make It Rain.’ His collab with Darkmark ‘If You Need Me, Don’t’ was one of the first singles in Quality Goods Records’ Quality Treats series. Capping off the exceptional year was his biggest release to date, his debut EP Stay Xavage which dropped on Circus Records. With a style that combines influences from trap, rap, experimental bass and DnB, it’s no surprise that Xavage has become a favourite with the team at FUXWITHIT. To kick off 2020 right, we thought it would be perfect to have Xavage bless us with a guest mix and interview. The mix features a ton of his exclusive edits, 2 unreleased originals and much more. This is primed to set the party and dance floor on fire. Listen below and grab Xavage’s edit pack here.
Tell us a little bit about your dance background?
I’ve been actively involved in dance since high school where I performed on a competitive dance team at UC Irvine called Underground. I have continued dancing and choreographing throughout college and currently take weekly dance classes at Kinjaz Studio.
I produce from the viewpoint of a dancer; I’m always looking for a groove and if I can’t dance to it then I know there is more work to be done.
How did your love for dance lead you to music production?
At the core of every dancer is someone who is always finding the groove of a beat to move to it. I produce from the viewpoint of a dancer; I’m always looking for a groove and if I can’t dance to it then I know there is more work to be done.
Your sound contains a pretty wide array of influences, from rap and trap, to experimental bass and drum & bass. What do you listen to on an average day?
Funny enough, my Spotify has hardly any electronic music. You have to understand that I spend 8+ hours a day producing electronic trap music. My ears need a refresh after that so honestly my Spotify is mainly throwback hip hop and podcasts. In this guest mix you’ll notice a trend of throwback hip hop tracks which are my absolute favorite. I also heavily fuck with Crime Junkies and The Office Ladies podcast.
The secret is all in the drums and its rhythmic pattern with the lead. Keep in mind the lead doesn’t have to be this insane sound design element in order for it to hit heavy.
You’ve frequently stated that you want to bring the dance back into EDM. What’s the secret to making tracks that hit heavy, but still maintain a level rhythm and danceability?
The secret is all in the drums and its rhythmic pattern with the lead. Keep in mind the lead doesn’t have to be this insane sound design element in order for it to hit heavy. As I notoriously said on Twitter, EDM producers nowadays are more concerned with impressing other producers rather than actual fans causing more brain melting music and less groove/rhythm based music. Don’t forget the word DANCE is in EDM.
What’s the last piece of music that you heard that made you stop what you were doing? What made it special?
Crankdat – Dollars (feat. Bryce Vine). It came up on my Discover Weekly and I immediately stopped what I was doing because I was blown away by the arrangement. The track gives you a drop without an actual drop. Rather then an electronic stereotypical drop it goes into a hard verse by Bryce Vyne. I thought this was very creative and ultimately very successful.
You said on Instagram that you’ve been producing 8 hours a day. How do you stay motivated to create for that length of time? How much music are you creating?
I consider myself a self-motivated person who is always working hard to achieve the goals I set. There’s no secret really. I just put in the work and stay consistent which is the biggest factor in my opinion. I have about ten unreleased tracks currently as well as a slew of hip hop beats.
I don’t think many people know this but you had the chance to intern with Quality Goods Records last year. What was the experience like? What was your biggest learning?
Hell yea I did and it was great! Shout out to the QGR fam <3. The experience I learned while interning under UZ and Mouna was invaluable. From studio sessions with UZ, to having a mentor like Mouna to help me out on the management side, I couldn’t be more thankful. The biggest thing I learned is how the industry works from a label side.
What was it like attending Icon? Do you have any wild stories from your time there?
Icon is a producers heaven, no joke. If there is anyone reading this and considering attending Icon feel free to hit me up. I can answer any questions you may have as someone who attended. Crazy Stories? Hmmm .. Well for two levels every week I had to sing on songs. If you know me, I’m not much of a singer so having to step out of my box and sing is pretty crazy for me.
This year has been one of exceptional growth and milestones, from a string of independent releases, to a single with Quality Goods Records, and capping off with a full EP on the prestigious Circus Records, what are you most proud of achieving in 2019?
Damn yea what a year! I would easily say that I am most proud of my dance video for ‘In The Trap’. That video is so fulfilling to me because it comes full circle of me producing a track that I then danced to. I always push the motto ‘Putting dance back into EDM’ so it’s important that I practice what I preach.
What are looking forward to in 2020?
The quality of music I am currently sitting on is in my opinion a drastic leap above what is currently out so I am excited to release the next chapter of XAVAGE music.
Best White Claw flavour and why?
Ruby Grapefruit because it just hits different than the rest.
Some resolutions take more than a year to achieve and rather than making new ones I’m going to keep grinding out the goals I originally set out such as continuously release quality electronic trap music.
Any New Year’s Resolutions?
Not really to be honest. Some resolutions take more than a year to achieve and rather than making new ones I’m going to keep grinding out the goals I originally set out such as continuously release quality electronic trap music.
Tracklist
1. TroyBoi – ili x Lil Pump & Kanye West – I Love it (XAVAGE Edit)
2. Cali Swag District – Teach Me How To Dougie x Party Favor & Baauer (XAVAGE Edit)
3. XAVAGE – In The Trap (feat. DARKMARK)
4. Childish Gambino – Sweatpants x Kill The Noise – Mine [Getter Remix] (XAVAGE Edit)
5. Tynan – diggid (scullion flip)
6. Childish Gambino – America x ATLiens – Witch Doctor (G-REX & PEEKABOO Remix) (XAVAGE Edit)
7. T-Pain – Apple Bottom Jeans x ISOxo & Knock2 – Radial (XAVAGE Edit)
8. DA BABY – Suge (NXSTY Remix)
9. GRiZ & Subtronics – Griztronics x XAVAGE – Give Me All Your Love (XAVAGE Edit)
10. XAVAGE & Barely Great. – ID
11. Gorillaz – Feel Good Inc. x TYNAN & thook – Voidless (XAVAGE Edit)
12. XAVAGE – If You Need Me, Don’t (feat. DARKMARK)
13. XAVAGE – Pull Up
14. Skrillex & Diplo – Mind (feat. Kai) [Ekali & Gravez Remix] x Tinashe – 2 On ft. SchoolBoy Q (XAVAGE Edit)
15. Hex Cougar – Hexifornia
16. 2 Chainz – Momma I Hit a Lick (feat. Kendrick Lamar)
17. MIMS – Like This (XAVAGE Unreleased Remix)
18. J-Kwon – Tipsy (Petticoat Remix)
19. XAVAGE – ID
20. XAVAGE – Make It Rain
21. XAVAGE Strike a Pose
