Meet XERKXES III | DJ/PRODUCER

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

Hi XERKXES, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I generally have a background of working in the entertainment business all my life. I don’t think I would know how to work a job or do anything else with my life. For the most part, I think it is a lot like a calling. Sometimes you just know. Creating music is a lot like therapy. You just have to get it out of your system, I suppose. Once you get an idea, you pursue it until you finally listen to what the final piece feels like and then you just know that it is ready to go out in the world. I don’t really care much about what happens to the song after I released it. I remember when Leonard Cohen released “Hallelujah,” it was pretty much ignored by the industry and the audience at large. You can’t really predict how or when something will perform—well, unless you are Taylor Swift. If you are, then you can predict pretty accurately.

An artistic career is not really a choice, I guess. It just happens to you, often when you don’t expect it or see it coming. Most of us usually connect it with fame and fortune. Call it the buzz, but I don’t think they are the same thing. You create a piece of art and set it free. You hope it finds the people who need it.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am just a DJ/Producer, but I think of myself more like a frequency manipulator. I enjoy experimenting with new sounds and testing the waters without being confined to a single musical space. My approach is to let the art find its audience organically. I don’t promote my music or spend any money creating a “buzz.”

I want to thank Mike Bhand and his team at The Shoutout for reaching out to me and creating a platform for indie folk. Honestly, I think my audience is a lot like me. I can’t tolerate anything mainstream—I’ve never been able to. Mainstream music often feels like bad productions with almost no emotional identity. I couldn’t do it even if someone put a gun to my head.

This year, I finally released my music on my own, without a record deal or any connections to the industry. I knew this approach wouldn’t necessarily lead to “popping” off, but that’s okay. Not everything needs to be a hit; it doesn’t mean it shouldn’t exist. I believe it’s necessary. The best music I’ve heard this year is from a band called MYTBE from South London, my former home. They have about 300 listeners on Spotify as of July 2024, but they are beyond spectacular. She is a force of nature. Big shoutout to her.

What sets me apart is my heavy use of artificial intelligence in my production process. This is extremely controversial, and my social media is loaded with hateful DMs. But I believe AI is the future. For the longest time, I’ve wondered what could break the monopoly of the gatekeepers at record companies. AI is the answer. A kid in the middle of nowhere with a laptop and an internet connection can now produce, mix, master, and release music without spending the crazy amount of money it would have cost five years ago. The future is here.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
As an East-LA artist, I believe the best place in the world is Silver Lake/Eagle Rock. I’m pretty much always in Highland Park, and there are several amazing spots in the area that I love to recommend to visitors. When my best friend comes to town, I make sure they experience the best this vibrant area has to offer.

We start the week with breakfast at Joy on York Blvd. This cozy spot offers delightful dishes to kick off the day. Then, we stroll around Highland Park, checking out the local shops and street art. For dinner, we head to Tennessee Hot Chicken (THC), a little hole-in-the-wall spot that serves the best hot chicken in LA. It’s a great introduction to the unique flavors of East LA.

The next day, we head to Silver Lake for a relaxing walk around the reservoir in the morning. For lunch, we enjoy the fusion dishes at Pijja Palace, a unique treat that showcases the innovative spirit of the local food scene. In the evening, we visit The Wolves in DTLA for some of the best French/Canadian food, including a spectacular ratatouille. Big shoutout to Chef Laurent Quenioux for his amazing work. The cocktails there are also top-notch, making it a perfect spot for a memorable night out.

To soak up some arts and culture, we visit the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). It’s a wonderful place to get inspired by creativity. Afterward, we grab a bite at Grand Central Market in downtown LA, where a variety of food options can be found. We finish the day by catching a live show or music performance at The Echo in Echo Park, which always offers a great atmosphere and fantastic music.

For outdoor adventure, we hike up to Griffith Observatory for stunning views of the city and a bit of astronomy. A picnic at Barnsdall Art Park follows, where we explore the historic Hollyhock House. For dinner, we head back to Highland Park to dine at Otoño, a modern Spanish tapas bar with a great ambiance.

We spend the next day shopping and relaxing. Browsing the vintage shops along York Blvd is always a fun experience. Lunch at Kitchen Mouse, a delightful vegetarian café, is a must. We end the day with drinks at Highland Park Brewery, enjoying their selection of craft beers.

One of the hidden gems we visit is the Heritage Square Museum, where we explore preserved Victorian homes and learn about LA’s history. For breakfast, we stop by Café de Leche for excellent coffee and pastries. Dinner at Hippo in Highland Park follows, where we enjoy contemporary American cuisine with a creative twist.

On the final day, we have brunch at Homestate for some of the best Tex-Mex breakfast tacos. A leisurely walk through Elysian Park allows us to soak in beautiful views. We cap off the trip with a farewell dinner at Speranza in Silver Lake, known for its cozy atmosphere and delicious Italian dishes.

There are another hundred or so places I love in East LA, but these are just a few of my favorites. Each spot has its unique charm and contributes to the vibrant, eclectic vibe that makes East LA so special.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to give a big shoutout to God. Just kidding, there are a lot of people I want to thank. Honestly though, my father, when he was alive, supported me when I had to survive on one potato sandwich a day. The early years are extremely brutal, and nobody wants to talk about it. You have to choose between a train ticket to the “next” big opportunity and dinner.

I have made a lot of friends and mentors along the way, from couch-surfing comrades to people who were kind enough to buy me a beer. There are too many to mention. Without my father, I would not be here. He passed away unexpectedly due to a hit-and-run incident back in 2017, right before his 60th birthday. So, a big shoutout to him. And I am sorry for being so expensive to raise. He would often joke about adopting an elephant because it would have been cheaper.

Website: https://linktr.ee/XerkxesIII

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xerkxesiii/

Youtube: https://music.youtube.com/channel/UCMJFxqzUB5aN8bpTdfTXVxA