Xavii Matisse...There Goes The Neighborhood!

The Fabulously Talented Xavii Matisse

Xavii Matisse is one of those people who just exudes positive energy! This contagious energy is apparent in his music and the creative choices that he is making as the current editor in chief  ( as well as  creator ) of  Revolutionary Gay Magazine. Xavii Matisse is passionate about life, music, the arts,  and is working hard to realize his dreams...all while trying to maintain a balance of both the personal and professional. He has a drive to create and is helping to give a voice ( through his magazine and lyrics) to those who may not otherwise have one. I was honored and humbled when he asked to interview me for Revolutionary Gay Magazine ( link here : BCNY REV GAY )  and pleasantly surprised at how genuinely nice and down to earth he is. His talent for music goes beyond these " fly by night wannabe artists " just looking for fame and wanting  to make a buck off of  a song where you can barely hear them over the robotic autotune. Behind that handsome face and warm smile Xavii Matisse is a genuinely gifted singer with a unique sound that will  provoke thought  while captivating his listeners.
I was excited to have the opportunity to turn the tables on Xavii and ask him a few questions of my own...below are his  answers and I am sure you will find him as equally entertaining and fabulous as I do . That is the way I see it!  Xx Billy Charles  

BC: Where are you from ?

XM: I was born in Jersey City, NJ and and was there until I was 6, then I moved with my parents and 2 sisters to Camden NJ. Yes, rough. I spent the rest of my childhood there and left when I was 25.

BC: What is your nationality?

XM: My nationality is Puerto Rican & Brazilian. 

BC: What role , if any, do you think your culture plays in your creativity?

Xavii giving " good face" 

XM: I don't ever let my culture consume me like some people. They are sooooo proud of who they are that they need to shout it from the roof tops. Good for them. As for me, I cannot change my skin color. If I was African or French or Chinese or any culture, I would be proud. Culture is beautiful. It doesn't define my creativity but it does affect some of my decisions. I do appreciate when minorities stand up for themselves and become something in life. Anything. We are pre-destined to fail in many people's eyes. They only see our worth when we prove it to them. That's not how it should be. You can be a rapper and be important just like you can be a Doctor and be important. Culture is important.

BC: What were you like growing up and in which ways have you change the most?

XM: Oh my God! I was squeaky and quiet like a mouse. I had 2 sisters so I didn't have anyone to play with. I was good, pure, and innocent. Until 18. I thank my mother for not allowing me to be like these kids nowadays who are terrible! ( laughs) . They are consumed in technology, they don't respect and they are all about themselves. My mami taught me to love God first. She taught me morals and values. As a 32 year-old, well Hadamnnn! I am completely different. I'm very opinionated, outspoken, gutsy and I don't let anyone step on me. But I'm still respectful and kind.

BC: When did you first know you were gay? When did you " come out " and what was that like?

XM: My uncle Carlos asked my mother one day if I was gay, and we happened to be at my sister's house where she was ready to come home from having my first nephew Nathaniel. I could have said no and kept it moving, but I decided it was now or never (I was 17) and she did not take it well. We didn't talk about it for a year, and when it came up again she stopped talking to me for a while. We lived in the same house and didn't speak. It was horrible. I lost about 2 years of my bond with my mother. But now she's great. We've both grown. I had to understand she was going through it as well. 

http://revolutionarygaymagazine.tumblr.com

BC: How did you become involved with Revolutionary  Gay Magazine and what is your role there?

XM: I am Editor In Chief of RevGay Magazine. I have always been a writer. I went to college for Journalism with minor is theater. I can act, and be funny as hell and I'm super creative, but when it comes to singing and writing it just fits. So I decided in December 2012, I was going to start a magazine. I was going to put my name out there, and the name Revolutionary Gay came from seeing all these magazines who were either afraid to put the word Gay in their magazine, or would display sexuality to sell a book on the stands. I was going to use my experience in diversity to put out articles, interviews and pictures that represented  not giving a fuck and putting every word in. And not a month in, I was already being retweeted by RuPaul, Dylan McDermott, Nicki Minaj, Nelly Furtado and Miguel. And I said, "This is gonna POP." And it did.


XM: When did you first become involved with music?
BC: I decided to be professional two years ago. I started working with my production partner and let me tell you it wasn't easy. It is hard as hell to get what you want the way you want it. I'm a perfectionist. So all my music is screened by me. 

BC: How would you describe your sound?

XM: I think nobody has my sound. I'm very unique. I know allot of people say that, and then you hear their music and its crap. ( laughs)  But my music is all written by me, and I am there when the music is done, and like I said I am there through the whole process. If it has reverb or too much base, or autotune then it was done purposely. If it's raw and real it was done purposefully. My music by people have been compared to Gwen Stefani, Nelly Furtado, Santigold, MIA, Maria Mena, Lady Gaga. I mean, it all depends. But I describe my sound as the future. It's so fun and cool and easy to listen to. The lyrics are strong and the message is always easy to understand. I'm not a Brian McKnight but dammit I am an artist and I stand by my work. All of it.

BC: What music projects are you working on currently?

XM: Currently I'm working on writing for a few clients, and producing. I am finishing my first album "Somebody's X." The songs are all done. Sometimes my production partner gets nervous when I write a new song. ( laughing) . I love new music. I get tired of shit real quick. But my album is very NEW. The sound is current, and it can really make you go, "Hmm, I like this."


https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/there-goes-the-neighborhood/id622727398?i=622727402&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

BC: Where can we hear your music?

XM: My new single "There Goes The Neighborhood" is out now everywhere (Itunes, GooglePlay, Amazon.com etc) and you can hear unreleased tracks on my YouTube account. There are a few there actually who will be on my new album like "Meet Me On A Train" "The Hunger" "In Love With My Photo" & "Here."

BC: Which artists inspire you?

XM: To be honest, everyone inspires me. If I listen to it I go, "Hmm, I like this." But the pioneers that molded my brand, I'd say are Madonna, Gwen Stefani, Nelly Furtado, Imogen Heap, Maria Mena, Lady Gaga of course, MIA and Alanis Morissette. All women because I feel women convey more in a song message wise than a man. And these women to me are all brilliant pioneers in music. Gaga and Madonna for being Brave bitches who don't give a fuck, Gwen Stefani for bringing the cool to pop music, Imogen Heap for being a brilliant inventive mind, Maria Mena for her haunting ballads, Alanis for being Alanis, Nelly Furtado for using culture to infuse pop, and MIA for being the future of music.

BC: What do you like to do for fun?

XM: I actually don't do much for fun. I love watching a good movie, drinking wine with friends and dinner, spending time with my mother.

BC: Name 5 things you love and five things not so much....
XM:

I love:

1. Coffee. (Can;t live without it)

2. My laptop (I need it!!)

3. My music.

4. My magazine.

5. RuPaul's Drag Race. It's genius.

 5 things not so much...

People who are passive aggressive and talk down to you.

Gay bashing in the Gay Community.

Bullying.

Corrupt Government.

A 9-5 job.

Just a great guy with a lot of talent!

BC: Describe your personal style to me?

XM: I'm a red black and white guy. I love prints and basics. I am very Comme De Garcon mixed with Vivienne Westwood (& L.A.M.B.)

BC: Are you seeing anyone ? If so care to share?
I am currently in a relationship with my production partner. He's amazing. He is responsible for my hits and my covers. He's my heart.

BC: What advice would you give to others hoping to follow in your footsteps?

XM: My advice is to be yourself and don't bully or hurt anyone to get to the top. You don't need to belittle an employee to get production. Be fun and free. Don't be a whore or a follower. It's fucking boring and you can get those at any online store. Be one of a kind. And be a good person. And stand up for yourself always.

BC: Where do you see your self going both personally and professionally in the next few years?

XM: I'm afraid to say it because I get overwhelmed, but I just might hit it big time and be on your television screens and new stands and in your pop culture. I really believe fame will catch up to me. It's already creeping by.

BC: Thank you for taking the time out to talk with me!

XM: Thanks Billy for having me! 

BC: The pleasure was all mine! 

Follow Xavii Matisse on Twitter @XaviiMatisse

Follow Revolutionary Gay Magazine on Twitter @RevGay

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