We were lucky to catch up with Xtian recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi XTIAN, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on recently has been an original song that I created with some of my best friends. Inspired by my deep love for disco and funk—I wanted to produce something fun and groove-heavy to mark my return debut as an artist. But beyond just making a song, I had the opportunity to collaborate with the incredibly talented people in my life, and that’s what truly made this experience so special.

The process started with me diving into Logic and experimenting with different sounds until I landed on something exciting. Once I had a solid foundation, I hit up my brilliant friend Luna, and she immediately sent me a voice note with a melody for the chorus. The moment I heard it, I knew—it was the one. That melody became the heart of the song.

From there, the magic kept unfolding. In writing the remainder of the song, I could hear a guitar solo in my head for the bridge, so I called up my brother from another mother, Andres, who immediately jumped on board. He sent over multiple takes, and we pieced together our favorite takes and finalized the solo. Then, to elevate the rhythm section, I reached out to my good friend Toussaint, who reworked the drum loop I had in place, and he added dynamic fills that completely transformed the song. These personal touches—what might seem like minor details to some—truly brought the record to life.

Once the song was ready for mixing, I wanted to keep the collaborative spirit alive, so I teamed up with my friend Miguel. Working with him has been an invaluable learning experience as a self-taught producer. His attention to detail, creative input, and receptive approach made him an incredible collaborator, and I’m looking forward to working on more projects together in the future.

Now, here’s the thing—I’m a recovering perfectionist. I have an embarrassing amount of unfinished projects collecting dust because I always thought this could be better or something was missing; let me sit on it for a decade. But this time? I let go. I embraced the joy of creating, trusting the process, and sharing this experience with my loved ones. And honestly, that’s been the best part. I finally feel ready to release my first-ever record! I’m not just proud of this song—we made something special together. And that, to me, is what music is all about.


“You Just Got Me Started” will be available to stream very soon!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hey there! I’m XTIAN (pronounced Christian), a Miami-based performer, music producer, and K-5 music educator. My journey into music has been a lifelong adventure—one that began, like many young musicians, with a plastic recorder and a somewhat questionable version of “Hot Cross Buns.” I was also in my elementary school’s choir, though it wasn’t until much later that I truly began to take singing seriously.

Middle school was when I got a little more ambitious—I picked up the guitar, trumpet, and French horn. In high school, I stuck with the French horn, joined the marching band playing mellophone, and by my senior year, I had a breakthrough: I realized I could actually sing. That moment was a turning point, and it pushed me to fully commit to pursuing music.

After high school, I studied Jazz Voice at Miami Dade College – Kendall Campus, earning my AA in Music Education. Those years were packed with experiences that shaped me as a musician: I joined performance ensembles to develop my stage presence, worked as a singing server at Emilio and Gloria Estefan’s restaurant (yes, that was a real job), formed a band with my besties and gigged around Miami, and collaborated with other bands for weddings, parties, and special events.

Then…the pandemic hit. Like many of us, I found myself rethinking everything. I couldn’t ignore the voices telling me to pursue something “more stable and secure,” so I did what any panicked artist might do—I put music on the back burner and went back to school for psychology. I graduated with a 4.0 from Florida International University, gained a ton of knowledge, and had every intention of going to grad school. But despite all that, I still felt incomplete.

Little by little, I let go of the idea that I had to choose stability over passion, and my creativity started resurfacing. Now, I’m fully back to writing, producing, and performing—and I couldn’t be happier. You can catch me performing monthly at my residency at Georgie’s Alibi Monkey Bar’s ‘KINGZ’ show, hosted by Sin Silva. Being part of this show has allowed me to express my queerness in my performances in ways I never felt comfortable doing before, and I owe so much of that to the incredible community that has welcomed me so warmly. Huge shoutout to Sin Silva for seeing something in me, and the Haus of Delusion—Luna (creative director/stylist), Andres (musician), and SinAmen & Daisy Chainz (rising drag superstars)—for being my chosen family and creative partners in crime.

Musically, I’d describe my current sound as vibrant, groovy, and nostalgic with a fresh twist. But beyond making music for myself, I also produce, arrange, and collaborate with other artists to bring their visions to life. Recently, my best friends, Rashaud (SinAmen) and Kev (Daisy Chainz), have begun their drag journey, and I’ve been creating mixes for their performances, working closely with them to bring their visions to life. There’s something magical about transforming an idea into a fully realized moment, and I love being part of that process.

One of the things I’m most proud of is finally pushing past perfectionism and releasing my art into the world. For years, I’d sit on songs, tweaking them endlessly, convincing myself they weren’t “ready.” But now, I embrace the joy of creating and sharing, knowing that art is meant to be experienced, not hidden away.

For those just discovering me—whether you’re a fellow artist, a potential collaborator, or an admirer in the making—I want to create experiences that make people feel something, whether it’s joy, nostalgia, or pure, unfiltered fun. And most importantly, I want to continue growing, evolving, and making meaningful moments through music and self-expression.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Now more than ever, it is absolutely crucial to support local LGBTQ+ artists. We are living in a time where our rights, identities, and very existence are being challenged. The arts have always been a refuge, a form of resistance, and a way to celebrate who we are, and right now, those of us in the creative community are dedicating ourselves to keeping that spirit alive.

I’m honored to know and be surrounded by so many inspiring artists in our community. Creatives like Sin Silva, Ariesela, LinerBaddie, and Jellika Boom—just to name a few—are breaking barriers and creating spaces where queer voices can truly thrive. Their work not only keeps our culture vibrant but also ignites a sense of hope and empowerment, reminding us all of the incredible strength and resilience within our community.

The best way to push back against these dark times is to come together—to show up, amplify, and support each other however we can. That means going to local shows, streaming our music, buying our art, sharing our work, and uplifting queer voices. It means recognizing that art is not just entertainment—it’s culture, history, activism, and healing all rolled into one.

A thriving creative ecosystem starts with community. When we invest in our local artists, we aren’t just supporting individuals—we’re keeping the culture alive, giving people hope, and creating spaces where authenticity can flourish.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding part of being an artist is the collaboration—working alongside other incredibly talented creatives to bring something to life that truly resonates with people. There’s something magical about taking an idea, sharing it with like-minded artists, and watching it evolve into something greater than you ever imagined. Seeing people connect with what we’ve created—whether it makes them dance, sing along, or simply feel something—is the greatest feeling in the world.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: xtian.mp3
• Other: My Instagram is where you will find all updates on when/where I’ll be performing and soon-to-be-released music.

Image Credits

I attached the Instagram handle of the photographer on 2 of the 8 photos provided (first two photos). Please credit those photos to Gio, @batstatue on IG. Thank you!