From Grunge to Galactic: Leo XIV Opens Up About His Musical Evolution, Creative Healing, and Upcoming Projects
- STAFF
- Nov 14, 2025
- 6 min read
By: Staff
“Feel” is an electrifying masterpiece that showcases the unmatched creativity and passion of Leo XIV
In a world where vulnerability collides with artistic transformation, Leo XIV has just dropped his latest track, "Feel." A bold step forward in his journey, this song taps into the raw depths of self-destruction and self-discovery, inviting listeners into a visceral soundscape where pain and catharsis coexist. The hauntingly beautiful melodies and hypnotic grooves set the stage for an exploration of identity, healing, and the tension between light and darkness.
We spoke with Leo XIV about the making of Feel, the powerful emotions that fueled it, and the larger narrative he’s creating. The track marks a pivotal moment in his evolution as an artist, serving as a cathartic release after a long creative hiatus. It’s not just a song, it’s a statement. But what’s behind that statement? What does it mean to feel in a world that often demands emotional restraint? Leo XIV opens up about the process that brought this song to life, the way he navigates his own vulnerability, and the sonic choices that make Feel so uniquely his.
As we dive deeper into his journey, Leo XIV reflects on the dualities in his music, the delicate balance between bold experimentation and minimalist sound, the pull between cosmic inspiration and personal trauma, and the intense creative flow that fuels his work. Every answer sheds light on his artistic vision, revealing layers of introspection and ambition that promise an exciting future for this alternative pop/R&B artist.
Scroll down to dive into the full interview to discover the heart and mind behind Feel.
Here’s how it went:
Begin Interview:
Hello Leo XIV, we’re thrilled to have you here for this interview! We've had an amazing time exploring your music and diving into your creative journey. Now, we’re even more intrigued to get a deeper look into both your brand and your personal and professional inspirations.
Q. We absolutely loved “Feel”! The pounding bass was hypnotic and created a riveting vibe; it was the perfect opening for the track. When your lyrics came in, it was exhilarating, completely drawing us in and making us ask, “Who is this Leo XIV?!” Now that we’ve just experienced you for the first time, we want to learn more about your story. How has your personal musical journey brought you to this point? Did your evolution into a professional career happen gradually, or was there a pivotal moment or event that set everything into motion?
A. Thank you for such kind words! I’ve been singing and playing music in some capacity for most of life. When I was 14, my best friend and I started a two-piece grunge band in my grandma’s basement (much to her chagrin, I’m sure) and made some of the most absurd recordings you could possibly imagine on an old 4-track tape recorder. We evolved into a four-piece stoner rock outfit called Source of Influence and later reformed as a progressive rock/psychedelic funk band called The Infinity Complex. In later years, I started DJ’ing a lot of EDM – mostly tech house, electro, dubstep, trap, drum n’ bass, and moombahton – and promoting shows all over the Midwest, and eventually started producing hip-hop, trip-hop, and alt-R&B tracks for some of my friends, which ultimately laid the foundation for Leo XIV.
Q. What is “Feel” about for you personally, and how does it reflect your journey of self-discovery?
A. It’s the highly-emotional culmination of ten years of feeling lost, misaligned, unfulfilled, and helpless. I finally started giving myself permission to immerse myself in the creative process again, and this was the first song I wrote to end the hiatus and start anew.
Q. Why did you choose the name “Feel” for the track, and how does it encapsulate the song’s essence for you?
A. Because it’s OK to let yourself just feel your emotions – whether positive or negative – rather than try to rationalize or fix them in the moment. It’s a glimpse into how I felt while I was writing the song and having lived through the things I wrote it about.
Q. What was it like to reconnect with your creativity after such a long pause, and how did that moment of inspiration feel?
A. Cathartic. It was like rediscovering who I’d always been and coming to terms with the fact that I had essentially lied to myself for half my life and avoided the very thing I loved the most.
Q. How do you see art serving as a conduit for others through difficult times, and is that something you consciously aim to achieve?
A. I think it’s a profound way of connecting to others without personally knowing them. If music can travel the quantum field just like our thoughts and intentions, then it’s somewhat of an invisible communication channel that can be used for healing purposes, among other things.
Q. How do cosmic themes and sacred geometry influence the way you write or produce music?
A. I’ve always been fascinated by the spiritual and metaphysical, and more recently the extraterrestrial and interdimensional. I’m increasingly convinced that consciousness permeates everything we currently know and understand. As far as sacred geometry goes, it’s just so beautiful, natural, and pure. All of my tattoos are sacred geometry-themed. Some people believe it’s the “code” that forms the matrix of our perceived reality.
Q. You have some incredible and unique ways that you process and create music. Do you view the light, darkness, and void in your storytelling as separate entities, or as interconnected forces that shift throughout your music?
A. Again, I really appreciate such a great compliment. These are interconnected, for sure. Despite being a perfectionist, which is one of my most painful and debilitating characteristics, I understand that nothing is or ever can be perfect. We are constantly being polarized and told things are black and white when, in reality, they’re more grey than anything – this concept analogizes a lot of the themes behind my music: inner-conflict, identity crisis, and learning to navigate the space between.
Q. What do you hope listeners take away from the journey from darkness to light in Feel?
A. There’s a saying I like that sums it up pretty well: “The darkest hour is just before dawn.”
Q. When writing, do you focus more on your own catharsis or on how your music will be perceived by listeners?
A. When I write my material, it’s 100% for me; personally, I think that’s a no-brainer. I realize it’s a different story for a professional songwriter or work-for-hire musician, but as an artist, creating for anyone other than yourself just wouldn’t make sense to me. That said, when I perform those songs and deliver them to a wider audience, I'd say it’s equally about the listener because I do become interested in how it makes them feel, what types of feelings are evoked, etc.
Q. In what ways has music helped you heal through dark times, and do you feel it offers a unique language compared to words alone?
A. Music, and sound in general, can have immense healing powers. The science around sonic frequencies and their physiological effects is pretty compelling and I’d encourage anyone to explore it as a form of therapy.
Q. How do you approach the vulnerability of sharing your personal struggles through your music, does it feel liberating or uncomfortable?
A. I have zero problem being vulnerable with others, and sometimes to a fault. I suppose it is liberating in a way and I think if more people felt comfortable being just a little more open and a little less guarded, we’d approach each other first with kindness and empathy rather than defensiveness or cynicism.
Q. Outside of music, who or what has had the biggest influence on your personal growth or artistic perspective?
A. Existentialism, nature, and animals – especially my dogs!
Q. We love your artist name. Can you tell us the backstory behind how you chose Leo XIV?
A. Thanks! It started as a play on the name of King Louis XIV, the infamous French monarch who was known for being flashy, extravagant, and charismatic, and having a strong affinity for the arts. He was also known as the “Sun King” and was the first to establish a permanent Persian consulate in France. My middle name is Leo, my astrological birth sign is Leo, I’m half-Persian, the old Persian flag features a lion and the sun… oh, and I just might identify with a few of those aforementioned personality traits, for better or worse (probably worse). So, there’s a TON of cool symbolism behind it.
Q. We can’t thank you enough for sharing these intimate details! So, what’s next? Can you give us the inside scoop on your upcoming projects and what fans should be excited about? We’d love for the readers to hear the news directly from you!
A. I appreciate your interest! I’ll be releasing the music video for “Feel” and a biopic-style short film – both on my YouTube channel – as well as a (surprise) cover song before the end of the year. Then, I plan to release my debut album “Cold Open” in March 2026. Check out my website, stay tuned, and thanks again for the support!
Leo XIV, thank you so much, we appreciate you taking the time to talk to us!
End Interview
