In the world of indie electronic music, few artists captivate audiences quite like Xavier Damon, the creative force behind Stereolux. With the upcoming release of his debut EP Who Told You on April 26, 2024, Damon invites listeners into a world where melody, emotion, and introspection take center stage. We sat down with Damon to discuss his musical journey, his philosophy on creativity, and the deeply personal influences behind his latest project.
- Your music with Stereolux has a very atmospheric and introspective quality. What drives you to create music that’s so focused on emotion and mood?
I’ve always been drawn to the idea of music as a way to express emotions that words alone can’t capture. With Stereolux, I don’t necessarily aim to tell a story with a beginning and an end. Instead, I want to offer listeners a space where they can let their imagination take over, to create their own narratives. I find that freeing music from a specific storyline allows the emotion to come through more powerfully. It’s like a canvas where everyone can paint their own experiences.
- You started playing in rock bands during your school years. How has your musical journey—from rock with The Cure and Sonic Youth influences to electronic soundscapes—shaped the way you approach your music today?
It’s been a very organic evolution for me. I started out playing in rock bands with my brother, like Dress and Les Cactus, which were heavily influenced by the sounds of the 80s and 90s, bands like The Cure and Sonic Youth. Over time, my interest in electronic elements started to grow. I love the way electronic music allows you to build layers and textures. With Stereolux, I wanted to explore this space, where I could blend the organic energy of rock with the precision and atmosphere of electronic music. It’s a continuous exploration, really.
- Your previous projects, like Jabberwock, allowed you to explore both electronic and rock elements. How did those experiences influence your current work with Stereolux?
With Jabberwock, we were really playing around with the fusion of electronic and rock. We released two albums, and each was a learning experience in terms of balancing tension and release in music. That’s something I’ve carried into Stereolux—this idea of building a soundscape that’s both cathartic and introspective. I want the music to evoke something personal in the listener, to act as a mirror for their emotions. Each project has given me tools to refine that balance.
- Who Told You is your debut EP with Stereolux. Can you tell us about the creative process behind it? What emotions or themes were you exploring?
Who Told You is all about embracing change, vulnerability, and growth. The title track, for example, is about shedding the weight of expectations and realizing your own strength. I wanted to create music that could feel like a safe space—an invitation to let go and move forward. The EP as a whole is a journey through different emotional landscapes, from hope to fear and everything in between. It’s all about the interplay of light and shadow, which has been a theme in both my music and my photography.
- Speaking of photography, you’ve exhibited your Polaroid work internationally. How does your experience as a photographer influence your music?
For me, photography and music are two sides of the same coin. They both capture fleeting moments, emotions that are often hard to describe. With photography, I’ve always been fascinated by the abstract, by the way light can transform the ordinary into something dreamlike. That sensibility definitely seeps into my music. I approach composition like framing a photograph—I’m always thinking about how the different elements (the melody, the rhythm, the harmonies) interact to create something that evokes a feeling. It’s less about telling and more about showing.
- The first single from the EP, Who Told You, carries an empowering message. How do you hope listeners will connect with it?
Who Told You is about liberation, really. It’s about realizing that you don’t have to follow the path that’s been laid out for you—you can create your own. I hope listeners feel that sense of release when they hear it, that they can let go of whatever burdens they’re carrying. The lyrics are minimal, which leaves a lot of room for personal interpretation. It’s not about prescribing a certain feeling; it’s about creating a space for whatever emotions need to come up.
- In addition to Who Told You, the EP includes tracks like Not Afraid and Please, both of which explore darker, more complex emotions. Can you share a bit about the inspiration behind those songs?
Not Afraid is about facing your fears head-on, even when the future feels uncertain. It’s a track with darker undertones—there’s a sense of trying to reassure yourself that everything will be okay, but also an acknowledgment that it might not be. It’s about finding strength in that ambiguity. Please is more introspective, dealing with the push and pull of relationships, particularly in moments of separation or loss. Both songs represent the emotional complexity of life, the light and the dark coexisting.
- How do you envision Stereolux evolving in the future?
I see Stereolux as a continually evolving project. I’m already working on new material that will push the boundaries of what I’ve done so far. I’m really interested in collaborating with different vocalists and instrumentalists, bringing in new textures and ideas. The goal is always to stay curious, to keep experimenting with sound and emotion. I want each release to feel like a step forward, both for me and for the listeners.
Conclusion: A Journey Through Light and Sound
With the release of Who Told You, Xavier Damon invites us into the ethereal world of Stereolux, where music becomes a vessel for introspection and emotional exploration. Through haunting melodies and evocative soundscapes, Damon creates a space where listeners can confront their own emotions and experiences. As both a musician and visual artist, his work transcends traditional storytelling, offering a more abstract and deeply personal way of engaging with art.
As Stereolux continues to evolve, Damon remains committed to pushing creative boundaries and illuminating new paths for both himself and his audience. For now, we can close our eyes, listen, and let the light of Who Told You guide us through the journey ahead.
The debut EP Who Told You is out on April 26, 2024. For more information, visit www.stereolux-music.com.
