Meet Xerkxes Iii

We were lucky to catch up with Xerkxes Iii recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi XERKXES, thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.

Optimism, I’ve come to believe, is a deliberate act of will—an act that, while deceptively simple, often feels like the hardest choice to make. Looking back, I remember the shadows I wrestled with in younger years: waves of depression and anxiety that crept in, tugging at every corner of my mind. I was caught, as many artists are, in the web of others’ opinions, feeding a need for validation that felt inseparable from the creative act itself. But somewhere along that journey, I realized a profound truth: if you truly want to create, there comes a time when you have to release all that weight, all those tangled threads of ego, expectation, and self-doubt. It’s in that letting go that you start to glimpse the essence of pure creation. If—*and only if*—you arrive at that place, optimism becomes something that flows naturally, almost effortlessly, because the work is no longer about you.

To reach this point, a certain ego must die. It’s the kind of shedding that frees you, makes room for something larger, something beyond the self. Bob Dylan once said he didn’t write all those songs himself—that it was as if a force greater than him used him as a vessel to deliver ideas meant for others. That’s exactly what I’ve come to understand: it’s freeing to remove myself from the center, to step aside so the art can be what it wants to be. This is partly why I’ve chosen to remain unseen, to keep my face and identity out of the limelight. Fame, followers, and the adoration of crowds feel like pale imitations of real freedom. I prefer the simple joy of standing in line at In-N-Out, ordering a #3 without a second glance from anyone. That anonymity, that ordinariness—it’s worth more to me than any stage or spotlight.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I produce electronic music, but when it comes to marketing or promoting what I create, I’m at a loss. The “music business” feels like this labyrinthine system that’s daunting and, honestly, uninviting. To be straight, I’m not impressed by the “Hollywood” scene or the people I’ve met here in LA. Many of them seem driven by a calculated agenda, with a hunger for recognition that often feels hollow. Their aspirations—what they chase, who they’re trying to become—it all feels alien to me.

For me, music has always been about freedom. It’s an expression that should feel boundless, not molded to fit some commercial mold or mimic the latest trend. I genuinely don’t understand the point of trying to sound like everyone else. And I struggle to listen to most popular or mainstream hits; they often sound like someone wrung the life out of them, leaving behind only the faint, dying echo of something that might have had a soul. It’s bizarre, really. It’s like hearing a memory of music rather than something alive, something that stirs.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Persistence, patience, and an almost blinding faith—these are essential. You’ll encounter countless people telling you “no,” especially at the beginning. And truthfully, you won’t be that good at first. So, the real challenge is to keep going, even—and especially—when discouragement seems constant.

It’s wise to let go of unrealistic expectations of what success will look like. Focus on honing your craft; that commitment will serve you more than anything else over time. Remember, much of what you think is happening is only in your imagination. Our minds tend to amplify both hopes and fears, but neither should drive your actions. Keep moving forward regardless; that’s the best advice I can offer anyone starting out.

Don’t expect to become an overnight success. Those who seem to have “made it” often have thousands of hours of unseen work behind them. The so-called 10,000-hour rule isn’t just a theory—it’s a commitment worth taking seriously. Talent might open a door, but sustaining a career is something else entirely. Be humble, be cautious, and above all, be grateful for your gifts.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

*The Fountainhead* influenced me profoundly because it framed art and creation as deeply personal, as acts of integrity and vision. Howard Roark’s dedication to his architectural ideals, his willingness to sacrifice everything to stay true to his vision, resonated with me on a visceral level. His relentless pursuit of creation for its own sake—untethered from the need for approval or recognition—felt like a call to embrace a form of purity in my own work.

It’s the idea that art should be uncompromised, untouched by trends or the expectations of others. *The Fountainhead* taught me that to be an artist isn’t just to create but to stand firmly within one’s own ideals, to channel a vision that goes beyond self, ego, or fame. That vision, and that freedom, continue to fuel why I do what I do.

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