The Way I Work... Singer/Songwriter LSDXOXO
Born in Philadelphia and based in Berlin, LSDXOXO, whose real name is Raushaan ‘RJ’ Glasgow, is a techno maverick known for his unconventional, genre-blurring club edits on SoundCloud. The singer/songwriter has just released a new single, Bloodlust, along with a high-tempo ‘VIP mix’ version. This release follows last year’s acclaimed EP Delusions Of Grandeur and pulses with the same sensual energy and lustful intensity characteristic of the artist’s previous work.
The music video for Bloodlust matches the track’s freaky allure. Directed by Griffin Stoddard and produced by Liam Battat, the video features the musician in an online power-play dynamic with a lover, set against a backdrop tinged in vampire red.
From their incredible onstage wardrobes to conceptual music videos, LSDXOXO exudes creativity. But what fuels this artistic fire? The artist sits down with Service95’s Pia Brynteson to reveal the behind-the-scenes of their creative process…
My Morning Routine… In my early twenties, this consisted of an hour or two of video games and wake-and-bake-ing. Now that I’ve ‘graduated’ to a more adult phase in life, I typically start my day with a round of supplements or vitamins, followed by a quick sunbath (if possible). I like to get any physical training done in the first few hours of my day as well. That really sets you up to take on whatever’s thrown your way on any given day.
What I Need To Feel Creative… Usually, I can’t create unless I’ve sequestered myself away at home with my phone on silent and my mood lighting on (violet or icy blue). But lately, I’ve been travelling so much for work that I’ve noticed that any morsel of downtime generally goes towards laying down new ideas. I guess my process isn’t as precious as it used to be, but I’m thankful for that because I’ve been quite a bit more productive these days.
I generally go on vacation to spark new creative flames internally. Vacationing in Tokyo somehow always feels like a life-altering experience. Maybe it’s the part of me that’s titillated by extravagant visual displays and attention to detail, but that city does so much for me as an artist whenever I’m there.
The Music That Inspires Me… Maybe not a shock to those who already know me, but I am gay and my taste is inherently just as queer. Whenever I need a bit of stimulation, I turn to the catalogues of Björk, Deee-Lite, Madonna and Kylie Minogue. Björk’s music video repertoire alone is enough to feed me for days on end. My obsession with music videos probably stems from my being a cinephile. I often look to the cinema for artistic inspiration as well, even in sonics. Tarsem Singh, [Pedro] Almodóvar, and Gregg Araki are some of my personal pop stars.
On My Performance Uniform… It’s not a uniform per se… a performance silhouette, perhaps? I go for more structured garments, as tight as possible up top and then boyish and flowy below. People remark on my posture often, I guess because I’ve worn corsets as a main element in my look through my twenties. I think performers should always be comfortable enough in their dress to move freely and remain present, but never so comfortable as to lose the mystery or excitement in costuming.
The Creatives Who Inspire Me… Music producer William Orbit. I’ve always marvelled at the stories he’s able to tell simply through sonic landscaping sans vocals. It’s a dream of mine to somehow work with him one day. I’m also inspired by the work of the director Chris Cunningham. His exploration of sound through visual media is something I’ve always been drawn to. The first work of his I consumed (or that consumed me) was the music video for Windowlicker by Aphex Twin, and I’ve dreamed of bringing my artistry into his world since then. The marriage of sight and sound that happens in his works, coupled with the weirdness of it all, truly resonates with me.
The Best Career Advice I’ve Ever Received… There is so much power in saying ‘no’ to whatever doesn’t serve you in the grander scheme of things. I’ve learned that while gratefulness and excitement are essential in building a sustainable career as a creative, there is a line to walk between that and preservation/selectiveness. One must always be ready to take on the biggest opportunity ever presented to you, and how can that be if you’ve burned out from accepting every offer that comes your way?
My Most Prized Possession… Not to be highfalutin, but I’d say my voice. I’ve owned many things in my lifetime, and nothing has served me more than that. My voice can’t be owned or usurped by anything or anyone else, and it’s something that I earned over time, so there’s pride in that. I’m naturally quite a shy and reserved person, so I’ve had to do quite a bit of work over the years to amplify myself. I remember not wanting to be heard as a child, perhaps in fear that I’d be seen for the flamboyant person that I am. Now, shutting me up is next to impossible.
My Favourite Ever Performance… One that I did in 2022 in Panorama Bar, upstairs in Berlin’s Berghain. It signified so many things for me. Upon my moving to Berlin, it was THE goal I set for myself after seeing some of my favourite acts perform there (Kylie Minogue, Róisin Murphy, Miss Kittin). Having it happen, and being able to be surrounded by the family I accumulated in my move to Berlin, is something I’ll truly never forget.
How I Create… Sometimes I’m beginning ideas by myself in my home studio. My production is always driven by melody, so that’s typically the starting point. I’ll tap out a melody on my keyboard, or if sampling is involved, I’ll take a bit of sound – maybe from a film, video game or even another musical artist to reinterpret. I begin writing and song structure once I have the meat – melody – of the song. I’ve recently discovered how much faster I can write a song when another producer is at the keys, and it’s quite exciting. As I am essentially a one-man band, my process can sometimes take longer than I, or my label, would like, and this feels like I’ve happened upon a sort of hack that allows me to be more fruitful.
What’s Next For Me… I’ve just recently finished and submitted my debut album after what seemed like a never-ending process, because of all the self-discovery that needed to happen in its creation. I anticipated there might be a bit of artistic fatigue afterwards, but that is certainly not seeming to be the case – I’ve already begun working on the project that should come after this LP’s release. I used my debut as a showcase of range, and now I’m just having fun applying all I’ve learned in that process to something a bit more expansive. I’d love to try my hand at creating a concept project tied more specifically to one genre, without losing the playfulness and exploration that’s become a signature part of my sound.
If I Wasn’t A Musician I’d Be… An anthropologist or a therapist – the human condition absolutely fascinates me. I feel like a student of life and all that’s happened before me.
Pia Brynteson is Content Editor at Service95
