Getting To Know...
X.ARI
Toronto-born electro alt-pop artist/songwriter X. ARI has released her new single 'Break-Point'.
It is X. ARI’s mission to not only raise awareness about mental health but also to focus on using her platform to empower others to turn their pain into power. Musically, X. ARI deftly dances in and out of genre lines, from entrancing alt-pop to gritty hip-hop to electronic elegance. At the same time, her visceral lyrics transmit messages of hope as often as they ponder tragedy. It is the mixture of those two elements when X.ARI’s sound and voice come to life.
We had a chat with X.ARI all about her journey thus far, the story behind 'Break-Point', her future plans and more. Read the Q&A below.
You've had a crazy couple of years since you started releasing music back in 2016. What has your journey been like so far?
"I'd definitely call it a crazy couple of years. Two years ago, in November, 2016, I had a mental health breakdown and then I had a relapse in May, 2018. Having two psychosis episodes in a year and a half qualifies to me as a wild ride. It's been a lot of adjustment and transformation. I'm very grateful that I've found my healing conduit through music and sharing my story to inspire others to find their healing and power. Despite my challenges I've released two EPs since 2016 and I have another one lined up for release early summer. It's a concept record based on yin yang duality and I'm very excited about it."
You've just released your new single 'Break-Point'. What is the track about?
"Yes, that's right! The song is about the spiralling down that happens right before you lose your mind. I'm telling the story of my meltdown in 2016 and my experience with PTSD at that time. Writing this track was really cathartic for me."
You spend much of your time on your Pain Into Power campaign. Can you tell us a bit more about why you started the campaign and why it's so important to you?
"After I went through a breakdown I had no idea how to find my light again. I think creating my Pain Into Power campaign spawned out of my need to find healing and empowerment. For a while I felt disabled by traumatizing experiences and I had no idea how I'd recover. I just couldn't accept them as part of my life story. Once I created this campaign and dove deep into it I found it very therapeutic to share my journey and connect with people on that kind of level."
What do you hope listeners will take away from your music?
"That's a hard question. I hope my shows are a healthy escape for people and that they feel empowered at all times."
Finally, what's next for X. ARI?
"My 3rd EP titled Uni-Fi is in post production right now. It's a concept record based on dichotomy, contrast, and the emphasis of an internal split and universal need to unify inside. I have a performance art video for 'Break-Point' coming out on Jan 31 in support of Bell Let's Talk Day, which raises money for mental health initiatives in my home, Canada. I'm coming out with a new character who's my alter ego and I'm really pumped to present him to the world."
