Mariano Xavier is not a familiar name in the Boston music scene by any means, and that is a damn shame. Since graduating Berklee, the DC-native has used his considerable keyboard talent to foster a style he describes as “psychedelic soul fusion,” putting together a funk-drenched sound that throws back to the classics while sounding incredibly fresh. Though the bookings haven’t been coming through like they should, he has certainly made his live dates count.
Opening for BadBadNotGood back in June, Xavier and his cadre, dubbed simply The Mariano Xavier Experience, put on a wildly entertaining and very polished set, incredible since it was their first time together as a band. Stringing together covers of popular songs like Outkast’s “Roses” and Disclosure’s “Latch” with a host of infinitely danceable original numbers, the group’s mix of funk, soul and hip-hop made for an epic hour that had the entire crowd on their feet and nearly eclipsed the headliner.
The Experience will be opening for BBNG again tonight at The Middle East Downstairs, and in anticipation AP sat down with the man himself. As Pusha T inexplicably blasted through Refuge, Xavier told us about Berklee, some great experiences busking and what’s in store for the future.
On Berklee:
“Berklee was interesting. I didn’t know what to expect going in, but I ended up just going there and meeting people who showed me so much music that just changed me as a person. Berklee is the place where you go and discover yourself, where you want to be and where you don’t want to be. I wouldn’t say that for a performer it’s a place to get all your degrees and everything, but more of a place where you can really develop yourself, network, and find a place in the world.”
On Berklee people:
“Berklee kids never want to come to your show! They’re kind of jealous and act like they’re busy. They want you to support them, but they won’t support you. Getting your Berklee friend to come to your show is one of the hardest things to do. I usually have to put all the Berklee kids on the guest list for a show!”
On busking:
“Busking has been amazing. We play a lot around Copley Square and have tried in Union Square, NY, though the cops have shut us down there. We’ve had crowds of more than a hundred people. Ridiculous things would happen: extreme sports and people taking their clothes off, people starting parties and buying alcohol for everybody. Starting circles, dance mobs. Animals have gotten involved…
I think it’s great for publicity, but it depends how you do it. If you’re going out with the mentality that you need to make some money, you’re not going to do a good job. But we’re there, we’re vibing out; we’re just playing a show and having a good time. We’re talking to people, we’re networking, it’s an amazing thing. Just keys and drums. We made $300 each once. That’s way more than playing a show around here.”
On the Boston music scene:
“I like Boston a lot. However, I don’t know if I like this music scene. I think it’s a good way to develop and practice, but I don’t think it’s serious. It’s very competitive, but I wouldn’t say in a healthy way. I think it’s a little messed up and the best thing to do coming out of here is find someone to tour with and you might be able to skyrocket from there.You have to work so hard to build a fanbase here and then you have to go out and do the same thing. It’s almost not worth it. All those page hits you can get, all those fans, you could get them in one day with one really good promoting event.”
On the band:
“We have Brian, he’s the guitarist and we play at his place. We do a different kind of thing- I’m playing the bass and the keys, so I’m trying to get him to fill more of the middle. He does something different that’s not expected. He’s doing a lot of effects and filling in the sound and middle chords. He’s got some solos this time.
We added a new member recently, Tasha, who does some Pink Floyd, “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” sort of vocals. She’s got some epic climaxes.
We still have the main rapper Kadahj, and Eugene who’s on background vocals and sings a few hooks. He’s the middle range that fills in for the harmonies and stuff.
We round it out with Hadrien on drums and Alex on saxaphone. Then, of course, I’ve got the two keyboards, the bass and basic keys.
I linked up with everyone organically. I tend to ask people who I know are the best and are good to be around. I don’t want people who see it as another gig, I want people who put their heart into it.”
On the BadBadNotGood support slot:
“We had a connect at Crush who had been promising us a big show for a long time. I had found out about BBNG when I was at Berklee, and when I saw the name I jumped on it.
This show was more word of mouth. As soon as I saw the promotion I hit them up. They weren’t necessarily trying to give us that main support slot because a lot of the other bands had more likes and reviews on social media, but they ended up giving it to us based on the word of mouth from last time.”
On future releases:
“We’re working on getting the EP done. We’ve recorded a single- “Spankalicious.” “Cloud 9” is almost done.The songs are so complicated its hard to get them right. Every time I record them, I realize they could be better and better.
I produce most of the songs myself. I record the bass and the keys and some of the effects and then we’ll do the drums live, the guitar live, the vocals live. To me, the live sound has a better sound to it.”
On tonight’s show:
“We’re going all out for this one. The music is so serious we’re going to add a fun element to it. We’re going to have some balloons with logos on them throughout the audience. We’re doing a Flying Lotus cover, too. Everything is really polished and the whole thing is going to be sound great. We also might be releasing a live EP from this one!”
The Mariano Xavier Experience will be opening for BadBadNotGood tonight (12/03) at the Middle East Downstairs. Make sure to get their early and check them out!