We had the good fortune of connecting with Xander Currin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Xander, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking

I believe that risks are absolutely essential in growth and life. Think about any one who has ever discovered something. There was no blueprint set for them, no rules to follow to come up with a conclusion to a question.

 So yes, I had to take a risk on myself to develop myself into not only a person who is an ambassador in the lgbt community in my city(okc) but the world with a growing fanbase. From developing as a musician, to a philosopher, to a leader, I’m constantly pushing myself to become an individual one day a queer kid decided to take a chance on themselves because I didn’t give up.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

Welp, I’m a Trans Musician out of Oklahoma City. It may be goofy, but I think the moment I was like wow, people know my name is I Google myself( lame I know. I do it for the seo and what not) and my face popped up and had hip hop artist under that. I was like wow, Google knows me. Lol

I have always been in music my whole life. I believe 7 or 8 is when I really took an interest. Was in choir, played viola for a bit. But vocal is where I really gravitated towards.

I was a military brat so when my dad was stationed from Bremerton, WA to North Carolina when I was 12, I really got alot more interested in it. Didn’t know anyone, whole life was uprooted, but music is exact. In middle school my school went to state each year, always placing high.

 When I got into HS, I was in concert, honors, and show choir. My music teacher Mrs Kelley was BRUTAL but looking back, she really shoved music theory down our throats. Trained our ears, our vocals, learned piano scales, learned instruments, learned how to dance. I cannot say thank you enough to her.

This absolutely has not been an easy journey at all. Funny how musicians have stage fright huh. Lol I’ve always had it, growing up I was very shy. When I was 24, I got in drag here in okc.

Yup, im drag king as well. I got big into this primarily to help with that fear. Never goes away,  it just gets rechanneled.

Did that for years, earn some titles in pageantry, built a fan base who still knows me even though I haven’t really performed in years. But in hindsight, I guess I was training myself without realizing what it was for then.

I’ve learned that not everyone has your best interest in heart, but there are a few good ppl you’re meant to meet along the way they have a purpose in your life.

I want the world to know that trans, queer, pocs have a place in this world. We have every adversity in the world to over come, and yet look at xan go.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

Come to okc and we’ll go to the paseo(art district) not only the buzz of the city, but the atmosphere. The best sushi bars to go too. Once we’re done, let’s go to the retro arcade bar in Bricktown.

During the day we can go to the art museum. If is ball season let’s catch a thunder game.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people who have helped me along the way in my career. To single them out is difficult for sure but 4 individuals that stick out to me is my Music Partner/Mentor recording artist Wardale Wilson. My cinematographer/director Jason Everette and my photographer Travis Zackery, and my boo thang Melissa Denney. Not only are they my family just in life, but every single person has in one way or another helped me break through personal mental blocks. They have always been my biggest fans when I wasn’t even one. Saw my potential before I ever did.

Website: Xantheartist.com

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Twitter: Xantheartist

Facebook: Xantheartist

Youtube: Xantheartist

Image Credits
Travis Zackery Melissa Denney

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.