Getcha Shades as X Rises to the Sky

January 20, 2012

“My first real recording in late 2007 but in 2008 I made my first album,” says Xavier Toscano, local recording artist and performer. He had the desire to sing since he was a child but took lessons and began singing after high school. “I built up the courage to do it.” In November 2007, he recorded his first song and then was approached to do a video that was played on Logo. “I submitted some songs to Wild 94.9 and they gave me a dedicated space for my music and videos, but because they are part of Clear Channel, I am on other stations like iHeartRadio.” His latest album was submitted Pandora since August 2011 and can be heard there too. He writes his own lyrics and says the music inspires his writing. Xavier has two CDs recorded and some digital remixes. His first CD, Mighty Real contains songs like “Dimelo” a hip bilingual song, and “Moving On,” his personal favorite. The second CD is titled X, with songs like “I’m Sinking” that is about addiction, and “Awake” which he says, “The song simply reflects my perception of the chaos in the world.” His current inspiration is Top 40 radio, loves the simplicity of pop music and it's catchy, in the sense that it is simple. “It (Top 40) is basically the soundtrack of everyone’s life even if you don’t like it, because you hear it everywhere.” He expresses his high appreciation for the producers because they are the backbone of the music industry. His parents, both laborers, moved to San Jose from Mexico. Xavier was raised in East San Jose since age 5 and grew up with the desire to sing. “My dad is a big Vicente Fernandez fan so I listened to him.” His family, including eight uncles that also resided in San Jose, had an extensive collection of vinyl records in English and Spanish especially funk and hip-hop in the 1980s. “I picked up English really fast and a lot of the kids I hung out with spoke English, so I listened to a lot of hip-hop, so that was huge for me.” Xavier shares, “Anyone who is interested in getting into music and the arts should treat it as a process and to not give up.” “I was petrified of performing so I didn’t start performing a lot but March 2008 I recorded the album so I literally pushed myself to start performing. He approached local bars and open mics, as I got more comfortable it switched and people started asking me (to perform).” Xavier overcame his biggest challenges as a shy person, petrified to perform on stage and of being booed off-stage by facing them. “That was my biggest fear, but when it happened, it felt awful but I didn’t get off stage. I finished my 30 minute set.” He tells, “I still get nervous but it’s not as bad. People respond better when the performer seems to be having fun.” “Seeing him perform on stage inspires me to someday perform on stage,” adds his nephew, Carlos Toscano age 16, an aspiring vocalist. “My biggest goal is to sign a record deal.” His current focus is on performing and is holding off on recording for now. He is performing at Oscar Night in Sacramento on January 26, 2012. He also has additional initiations to perform in some out of state festivals. Has also filmed commercials and acting is fun but I prefer singing to acting. Xavier Toscano featured Video Threw Me Away from the CD titled X Visit Xavier Toscano's website http://www.xaviertoscano.com/ for his performance schedule and see his latest videos like To the Sky and Do It All Tonight. Written by Eydie Mendoza | Photos by Patricia Ruiz