Xander Pages doesn’t approach music as a single-genre exercise, but as a living record of where he’s been and what he’s processing in real time. On his new project, Do Not Lose The Plot, that approach comes into focus across a body of work shaped by movement—between neighborhoods, cities, influences, and emotional states. Blending jazz, soul, reggae, hip-hop, and bossa nova with an instinctive sense of cohesion, the project reflects a year defined by both uncertainty and clarity, where personal reflection and creative experimentation run side by side.
Originally taking shape as demos recorded in his childhood garage, the project gradually evolved into something more intentional: a narrative thread connecting moments of ambition, doubt, growth, and renewal. It’s a project that feels deeply personal without being insular, grounded in lived experience but shaped with an awareness of perspective and progression. We spoke with Xander about the environments that influenced his sound, the emotional range behind the record, and what it means to stay committed to your vision when the outcome is still unfolding.
For people just discovering your music, how would you describe who Xander Pages is, both as an artist and as a person?
I’d say I am a sensitive soul who tries to view the world in a positive light. My music is full of stories from my experience as a human, and I try to stay very authentic to who I am in my art. I am someone who cares deeply about the people and things I love. I’m laid back and chill on the surface, but beyond that, I have a very deep presence and philosophy for how I try to live my life, and that come through in my music and creative endeavors.
You grew up in different neighborhoods around Los Angeles. How did moving around and experiencing different parts of the city shape the way you make music Today?
I think moving around has shaped my sound a lot. Growing up around venice beach and the marina, I got influenced by the ocean and artists that I associate with the calming presence of the beach, including Jack Johnson and Bob Marley. Going to the beach and listening to these positive voices as a kid was very formative to my personality and who I am as an artist. Living around Inglewood and going to school in Baldwin Hills during the peak of the soundcloud era put me on to Trap music and my generation’s iconic rap music. Moving to the south bay and biking around hawthorne, I’d listen to a lot of tyler and imagine I was living in his shoes when I was growing up. There are a lot of different cultural and sonic influences inspired by the west coast and LA. Listening to Tupac and learning about him as a poet, bumping To Pimp A Butterfly, and being a kid during the Black Lives Matter Movement, learning the political power of music and the way it inspires change in the world was something really inspiring to me. Then moving to the East Coast for College and experiencing a different environment in Philly and NYC also impacted the way I move as a person and artist. The East Coast definitely gave me confidence to speak my mind, raise my voices, and move forward with tenacity.
Your new project, ‘Do Not Lose The Plot’, started as demos in your childhood garage. At what point did you realize those songs were telling one bigger story instead of just being separate tracks?
The moment I realized what I wanted this project to be was when I freestyled the chorus of the intro track, “the plot thickens.” I was just having so much fun creating, and I said the line, “Since I’ve been chasing this chicken, the plot thickens,” which is kinda a funny way of saying, the more I create and the more I do, the more serious and realistic this path of creativity feels. Then I got the idea for the EP, “Do Not Lose The Plot,” as an amalgamation of the things I experienced this past year, in order, like a story. And it’s funny because once I started to lock in and finish creating this project, I saw these patterns of emotions and experiences manifest in the same timeline that they were created in, starting off hungry and hopeful, going through the storm and hitting a low point, then aligning and heading back to a place of light and inspiration.
You’re blending jazz, bossa nova, reggae, soul, and hip-hop in a way that feels really natural. What draws you to mixing genres instead of staying in one lane?
I have been a die-hard fan of music since before I ever dreamed of creating it. These different genres have motivated me and been there with me on my journey through different parts of my life, and with my ability to create music, I love to experiment with different forms of expression through these different mediums. During the winter, Jazz really speaks to me, so when it got cold in Philly, that’s what I wanted to make and was the best genre to describe my energy during that time of year. Reggae reminds me of summer and sunshine, so when the sun was out, I was spending a lot of time outside bumping Reggae, and I got the idea to sample a song I really liked. Soul and Hip Hop have been two of my favorite genres since I was a kid, so I used that as my throughline for the project. So I think the multi-genre nature of this project is a result of my love for listening to music.
Songs like “Answer” and “Company” come from a much heavier place, while tracks like “Flying High” and “Eternal Sunshine” feel lighter and more hopeful. Was it difficult to be that open about the highs and lows of the past year?
I don’t think it was difficult for me to be open about the highs and lows of the year. I think it was necessary. One of the ways I understand myself is by being vulnerable in my music. Opening up on a track is very therapeutic to me. It’s kind of a way to feel seen and heard by both the people close to me and people who might not know me. I get to say things I usually wouldn’t say out loud and express myself in ways I can’t always do in real life. Music gives me the freedom to be the version of me that I want to be in that moment.
The title ‘Do Not Lose The Plot’ can mean a lot of different things. What does that phrase mean to you personally?
“Do Not Lose The Plot” means following your north star. For me, it is a dedication to my passion for music and my aspirations to really do this thing and keep chasing my dreams. It means overcoming obstacles and always seeing the bigger picture, no matter how much life tries to dilute it. It means being yourself unapologetically and not giving a f*ck about what someone else has to say about your dreams, BECAUSE THEY ARE YOUR DREAMS. And I hope that this project reminds people to follow whatever it is that makes their soul feel free, whether that’s a person, a goal, or a passion. We must stay focussed and NEVER LOSE THE PLOT.
Your music has a really nostalgic feel, and the project leans into old-school TV and coming-of-age visuals. What is it about nostalgia that keeps inspiring you creatively?
I feel like nostalgia is a really powerful feeling. It gives you butterflies in your stomach and is sort of a melancholy feeling of gratitude for a moment in time and sorrow for the passing of time. I think that my music always feels like a timestamp in the history of my life, and I use it to capture moments and feelings that are the most important and formative for me. For the visual world, I was really inspired by the movie mid 90’s because I feel like that movie truly encapsulates the spirit of DNLTP, of a young boy overcoming his obstacles through something he loves, and not being afraid to try even if he’s not the best at it at first. I really relate to that and feel like I am in a coming-of-age stage of my life where I am truly becoming a man and learning the type of person I want to be in this world.
When someone finishes listening to ‘Do Not Lose The Plot’ from start to finish, what’s the one feeling or takeaway you hope stays with them?
I want them to feel inspired to follow their dreams and work towards something that will fulfill their mind, body, and soul. I want them to feel free and give themselves permission to dream big, no matter what anyone says. I want them to feel confident in themselves and know they can do anything they put their mind to. Your Potential is LIMITLESS.
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