LA-based singer, producer, and DJ XIE (pronounced “Shay”) is ready to shake up the electronic scene with the release of her vibrant new EP Kick Drum Heart, out April 25 via UK label Lady of the House. Blending pulse-racing beats with a colorful, genre-defying edge, XIE is proving herself to be one of the most exciting emerging voices in house and techno.
A former UCLA soccer player, XIE channels the same high-octane energy from the field into her music. Whether she’s crushing a set at Coachella’s DoLaB Stage or mixing underground aesthetics with athletic flair in her wardrobe, everything about XIE pulses with kinetic intensity. Her live sets are a blur of movement and mood—fueled by an intuitive connection to rhythm and crowd dynamics.
The first single from the EP, LOVE LANGUAGE, is already out now and offers a hypnotic, flirtatious taste of what’s to come. The track blends her classically trained musicianship (she’s a violist, too) with her pop-savvy songwriting and magnetic stage presence.
Kick Drum Heart is as much about emotional resonance as it is about club-ready beats. “I wanted this EP to feel like what your heart does when you’re falling in love on the dance floor,” XIE says. It’s an apt metaphor—her tracks are equal parts vulnerable and fierce, soft touches wrapped in rave armor.
After standout releases like 2023’s C’est La Vie and Birds In Paradise (via Thrive Music), XIE has already made waves with her kaleidoscopic sound. With Kick Drum Heart, she’s ready to sprint further into the spotlight—on her own terms, and at full speed.
For fans of playful pop, glossy house, and moodier techno cuts, XIE is one to watch—and with Kick Drum Heart, she’s not just dropping beats, she’s staking her claim.
Your upcoming Kick Drum Heart EP drops on April 25—what’s the story behind the project, and what do you hope listeners take away from it?
This group of records is my love letter to house music. Each one is a creative display of my infatuation with the beat, the feeling, the lifestyle. I hope listeners deep dive into each track’s world and appreciate my ode to the genre.
The first single, “LOVE LANGUAGE,” is out now. What inspired the track, and how does it set the tone for the rest of the EP?
It’s like the track says “I only speak in Electronic” – sometimes music is the greatest way to communicate. House music is there for me anytime, anywhere, and through everything. Each track on the EP represents my gratitude for it in a unique way.
As a producer, singer, and DJ, you wear a lot of creative hats. How do you balance these roles in your music-making process?
A lot of the time it feels inherent to kind of do all three at once, meaning I’m subconsciously thinking with each hat at the same time. Or maybe it’s one main hat (producer) with two little hats on top lol. The cool part of production is that I’m constantly also thinking about vocal elements & how everything translates in a club setting simultaneously.
Your background as a classically trained violist is unique in the electronic music world. How does that training influence your sound today?
Mainly in the training and experience my ears have had through life, developing both my musical skills and sonic taste.
From Coachella’s DoLaB Stage to EDC Las Vegas, you’ve played some major festivals. What’s been your most memorable live set so far?
I’ll never forget playing DoLab at Coachella. That tent is so iconic and being in the desert playing one of the greatest festivals in the world was an unreal feeling. I love the crowd too at these multi genre festivals because they’re so open and receptive to many styles of music – the crowd’s energy is insane.
Your style blends athletic influences with underground edge. How does fashion play a role in your artistic identity?
I think of fashion like authenticity, I have to feel comfortable in what I wear. Everything I do I want to be true to me, just like the music I make using the full palette of my taste, I pick my flavors of outfits based on what I love & how it makes me feel.
You’ve released music that fuses house, TECH HOUSE, and pop elements. How would you describe your signature sound, and how has it evolved over time?
I’ve been working with vocalists more and focusing on my production, continuing to fuse my favorite elements of different sub genres of house music from UK to Latin styles. My sound is rooted in tech house, which most excites me, and blends classic & organic drums/instruments for a worldly sound.
You’re signed to the UK-based label Lady of the House, which champions female artists in dance music. How has that partnership shaped your journey?
It’s been amazing to be supported by Lady Of The House. Most female roles in this industry from producers to women driven labels are so few and far between, that it’s a super special experience.
You bring high energy not just to your performances, but also to your fitness lifestyle. Do movement and physical activity influence your creativity?
I believe that a healthy mind goes with a healthy body & life. So yes, being physically well directly affects my ability to perform mentally and creatively. I try to sweat everyday, take a lot of walks while I listen to music, stretch and recenter often, fill the well!
With Kick Drum Heart marking a new chapter, what’s next for you—more music, collaborations, or live performances fans should be excited for?
I’m beyond excited about the music & collabs that’re currently in the pipeline. I constantly try to focus on the now so I can create the best music and live sets as possible..so while I can’t say too many specifics about what’s to come just know that it’ll be great!!;)
