Soul Harmony's Podcast

Welcome I'm giving the podcast a twist for the holidays. We are treated to a nice serving of DJ XL. Get that towel ready and dance that turkey off with these grooves.

As early as age 10, XL (a.k.a. Khristaan Hillard) was captured by the deep grooves and beats of the underground. Listening to the Hott Mixx 5 from his bedroom on the South Side of Chicago, he would practice his dance moves and feel the music in his soul. As the House Music movement grew, so did XL. By the age of 16, he was sneaking into the music box to watch early legends like Farley Jackmaster Funk tear up the party. This fueled an uncontrollable passion within him to take to the decks himself. In addition to various DJ's that inspired him, XL also attributes other musical styles like R&B, Jazz, and Gospel as having deeply influenced his own sound. Over the years, XL has played at various venues throughout Chi-Town, including: Big Wig, Harry's Velvet Room, Slicks Lounge, Copa, Bar 13, Buzz, Red No. 5, Star Gaze, Betty's Blue Star, and Beviamo. In his own words: "House Music first touched me through the Spirit of Dance. It was through the spirit and the vibe that made you feel like no matter what was happening in your life you always felt like you were a part of something special. That's what influenced me to go deeper into the Movement, not just through dance, but also by playing the music; expressing back the love that was given to me through the sounds of House Music. Musically my life was affected many ways through artists such as Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Prince and Roy Ayers. I also have been inspired by turn table legends Gene Hunt (Gene, by the way, is responsible for my first major gig), Mark Grant, Dimitri From Paris and Malcolm Charles. "I have been 'in this' for almost 20 years now and over that time have been touched by many beautiful things, beautiful people and beautiful music, and by this feel truly blessed. I hope in the next 20 years I can give back all that House Music has given me."

XL's Myspace: www.myspace.com/xlhousemusic

**HEADS UP!!!...FOR THE XMAS HOLIDAY I WILL HAVE DJ RICARDO TORRES from WEST COAST COLLECTIVE mixing it real nice and soulful for all of us with an interview as well. KEEP IT LOCKED my beauties.