XKota

I met Xkota aka Raven, in a warehouse in NYC at about two o’ clock in the morning. I was in the middle of a very intense trip, and she simply appeared to me in the middle of the dancefloor, as if it was the most natural place for her to be at that moment and that time.

The strangest part about my meeting her, though, is that we are both from the same city, Albuquerque, New Mexico. But that city was hundred of miles away from where we actually stood on that cold November night.

Later on, she’d mention how she could tell I was in the middle of something outrageous at that moment, and still she understood, which I appreciated immensely, even though we still always have a good laugh about it every time we see each other.

Who we are on the road isn’t always who we are back home, and when you cross paths out there you seem to remember the ones who value those brief moments as much as anyone you may have back home, which I suppose I learned from my interactions with Raven.

After that weekend I wouldn’t see her again until she agreed to let me interview her over a year later, and after that I wouldn’t see her for at least another year in El Paso. Or maybe it was in Santa Fe? Honestly, it’s so hard to say sometimes because part of this life revolves around the fact that everybody is always either coming or going, and Raven is somebody who always has something on the horizon, with her future as a DJ being the best example of that.

In my conversations with Raven, I have found somebody absolutely and completely committed to the underground sound that we value so much more as time goes on. Sometimes you hear a DJ, and you know they understand even without speaking to them, and that is the feeling I get when listening to Xkota. Whether its as one half of the Housekeepers or when she’s playing some bangin’ techno on her own, you can hear the commitment to playing the sound right.

She represents the next generation of quality DJs in New Mexico that are ready to take over because she is more willing to play the right sound rather than the one that tops the charts. A DJ must remain true to their sound, and Xkota knows what she wants to play, she just simply needs the rest of the world to catch up.

I feel I should also admit that even though that warehouse was the first time I met Raven, it was not the first time I ever heard her DJ, and I’ve always been a bit embarrassed to admit that to her face, so I will now in print.

The first time I heard Xkota play was at Somos, a local festival held here in New Mexico, that I went to with my wife and three kids. A friend had given us tickets and the kids got in free, so we really had no excuse not to go. Plus, it was a chance to support Albuquerque and New Mexico, while giving our children a taste of our music, so we loved the idea, which became a special moment when we got to the dance stage.

As I arrived at the stage with my two daughters next to me, they noticed something before I did.

“Dad, the DJ’s a girl.” They said with excitement and joy.

“Of course, she is.” I replied as her logo flashed across the screen behind her.

XKOTA

“Girl’s can be DJ’s too?” I heard them ask.

“Heck yeah, they can.”

Now, to the rest of the world, this is a pretty basic conversation to have, but I see so clearly looking back, my daughters had never seen a Woman DJ before. In fact, this may have very possibly been the first DJ they ever saw live, so it was so monumental that Xkota was the one behind the decks.

She gave them this moment. My response was secondary to them because they were seeing the answer right in front of them. I could sense this moment giving them the confidence to do it as well.

They smiled and we danced, and it was a moment I can still remember clearly to this day even after I now know this person and have spoken with her many times. She gave my daughters something that evening that I never could, and I appreciate her so much for it.

She showed them what a woman can do, and she stood tall and confident both then and now. I am in debt to Raven for giving them that moment, and I know it was about so much more than her just being a DJ and yet, because she was living her truth and her life, it carried over onto the dancefloor and it inspired those of us in the crowd.

I don’t want you to think she’s just this inspiration, though, because when I listen to Raven DJ, I hear an authentic sound that many other DJ’s will never have. It’s something you just can’t fake. I have never viewed the DJ profession as a competition and yet you can’t deny there are layers to it, like a song. Raven is one of the strongest and most powerful layers.

I hear her and I know House and Techno will be okay in New Mexico as long as they follow the DJ’s who know what they’re doing. Raven knows what she’s doing.

What I like most about her DJ style, is that it’s constantly changing, along with her sound. I actually managed to find a recording of that Somos set she played, and in it you will find her House side was still the major sound, and yet there is no denying the intent and confidence in what is being played.

I sense a sound inspired by some of my favorite Chicago house DJs like Gene Ferris and Green Velvet, but I also feel a connection to Night Bass as well. That bounce, and pop, and of course the drop we love so much. It’s funky and upbeat, but still keeping that solid rhythm that is needed to rock the dancefloor.

I know this is not how she plays now, though. She has evolved and where she is now is not where she will end up. The best thing I can say to DJ Xkota is stay true to your sound. Believe in your sound. Have confidence in your sound because that will always be a valuable contribution to the New Mexico rave scene.

I look froward to seeing where this DJ is going and I am excited to hear that she is even playing far more techno now, which is always going to be the sound that drives this, and many other typewriters around the world.

This summer will be very busy for DJ Xkota as she will be playing multiple shows across multiple cities and multiple venues. Find her somewhere and show some love, and until then listen to her mix and tell her what you think. House music is alive in New Mexico, go out there and feel it’s heartbeat for yourself. See you on the Dancefloor.