Today we’d like to introduce you to Lai Xu
Hi Lai, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m going to be so unenthusiastic, I’ve just been doing what feels right to me.
I started rapping as a hobby in college (a medical college) and did a few songs and realized I was doing pretty well, then I kept doing rap for a few years, went on China’s biggest rap TV show, then found out that I don’t like making music in the Chinese, so i went to London and studied experimental and electronic music.
Last year I started studying at Berklee College of Music in NYC, now I’m starting to grow my music in New York, playing shows.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s not, but it doesn’t feel sad because I’m doing something I love.
The hardest part is probably adjusting my mindset between what I expect and what I’m capable of, and what I actually do.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m an artist, experimental music producer, rapper, interactive sound installation designer, and a graduate student at Berklee College of Music NYC. My stage name is “x u,” and in China, I go by Xu Lai.
I started making music around the age of 17 when I was hanging out at a friend’s place. We were just having fun, and I decided to try rapping over a beat. My friends thought I was really good, so I kept going and haven’t stopped making music since.
As music, I’m a hyperpop artist and producer, I coined the term “emo-glitch” to describe my music, putting sound design as the centerpiece of songwriting. I’m skilled at using sound design to evoke emotions, blending elements of hip-hop, electronic, glitchcore, ambient music, and contemporary music concepts.
In sound design, I focus on creating interactive installations that generate music through body movements. My work has been exhibited at well-known experimental venues such as Iklectik, 100 Years Gallery, and Goldsmiths Great Hall.
The concept behind my music is to create an alternate world that runs parallel to the one we live in today, the structure might remind you of the popular music you know, but with many extreme or interesting sound designs woven in. Next year, I’ll be releasing my debut album, “That Kid,” in the US.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
It’s been a relatively lonely road for me so far I guess, but of course there are a lot who are still around and working with me.
Thanks to Andy Lee for helping me book music venues all over New York for the last two months for me to tour and even paying for it out of his own pocket when we lost money, and then thanks to my ex-ex-girlfriend for making me believe that I am worthwhile as a musician.
Pricing:
- my show- around 15$-30$ per ticket
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mr.x__u/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@laixu8142
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-294306962
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0ZgpWxhCzWWDscvNxSKWm1?si=2x7eRWC8SHGkjw0DPUKynA
Image Credits
andy lee, ailin, yoo bee, Christy peng