Daily Inspiration: Meet CeCe Xavier

Today we’d like to introduce you to CeCe Xavier.

Hi CeCe, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My career began in the 90s, when I worked with The Shamen as a live vocalist, touring the world and working alongside artists such as The Prodigy, Orbital and Moby.

I then signed to FXU Records (home to D:Ream) as a solo artist and supported D:Ream on their tour dates, releasing two underground trance tracks Dreaming and No Fear under the recording name X-Avia. During my time with them, I also headlined the Abraxas Stage at Glastonbury. However, I never really broke through and felt disillusioned at this point.

After a ten years break, I had the urge to start making music again. Since returning, I have worked on several collaborative projects, as well as briefly forming my own band Hemmingway, which gained support from radio stations across the world as well as playing festivals around the UK, before disbanding in 2018. Again, I returned to being a solo artist. In 2019, I released my debut solo EP Strong At The Broken Places, featuring songs about personal experiences. In 2020, I decided to do something different and produce a retro synth-pop EP, collaborating with Hollyanne, Charley Young and Sophie Barker. We released Synthgirl Squad and received lots of support from our fans, again, being played on radio stations across the world and performing live at festivals in the UK.

Now I’m living in a new city, which has a vibrant music scene. As an LGBTQ woman of colour, I’m excited to be part such a wonderfully inclusive and accepting community. I feel freer than I ever have before to explore many genres and topics to write about, and I feel I’ve finally come into my own as an artist.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
In the 90s, I found the dance music industry to be male-dominated, and women were often objectified and thought of as ‘product’. Being of mixed heritage also proved to be problematic at the time, as major labels didn’t know how to market me; I didn’t fit the black or white pop stereotypes at the time.

I saw so many injustices against women including myself, that it affected my mental health to the point that I had to walk away and didn’t feel ready to return until 10 years later. I was also in abusive relationships which meant I wasn’t supported through tough times. This lead to me giving up more quickly than perhaps I would’ve done had I been more secure. I realize there are many women who have been in similar situations and gone on to have phenomenal careers, but I believe we are all on our own path, and I’m happy to see where this one takes me.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My music is a mix of epic, lush soundscapes that have a cinematic quality to them, and thundering beats that make you move. There are definitely elements of my 90s sound that are still heard in the threads of my current music. Lyrically, I write from experience and hope that other people experiencing similar things will feel comfort knowing they’re not alone.

What were you like growing up?
I was always singing according to my parents. When I was very young, I was often lost in my own imaginary world, writing stories and singing little made-up songs.

My world changed when I was eight years old and my dad bought my mum a piano. I was pretty much glued to it until it was sold when I was 14. My dad then let me use his electric guitar and bought me a keyboard, which is when I began writing songs.

I was the kid who skipped PE to hide in the music practice rooms to play piano. I worked hard in English, Art, Drama and Music but had little interest in anything else. School productions were something I enjoyed immensely and was lucky enough to play the lead in many of them.

I’ve always been an advocate for the underdog and the same was true of me when I was young. I was pretty opinionated, determined and hated injustice and inequality and had friends who had a similar outlook. We once held a protest to allow girls to wear trousers to school and won. That was a good day.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @cecexmusic
• Other: https://linktr.ee/CeCeXmusic?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=7055737a-c629-4b52-b29f-4f07d4f23f8a

Image Credits
RCA Photography Psychic Visions