This post was updated September 7 at 3:49 p.m.

Xavier Paul explores risk while plunging into oceanic imagery with his song, “Captain Nemo.”

The alumnus graduated in spring 2025 with a degree in music performance and is actively working toward releasing his upcoming album “Lacquer.” His artist name, Xay Lavie, is both a play on his first name, as well as a variation of the French expression, “c’est la vie,” he said. Paul said the phrase, which translates to “that’s life,” exemplifies acceptance for him, and feels reflective of his artistry and way of life.

“I really loved the acceptance that the saying evokes … and how emotions are spoken in French,” he said. “I think it’s more passionate, so I thought the saying really encapsulated my entire message.”

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Paul’s song “Captain Nemo” was inspired by an image of a diver presented in his songwriting course. The song layers different oceanic sound bites – including field samples of underwater sounds and bubbles – with music recorded in the studio, he said. The song’s beat consistently mimics the pace of someone kayaking, Paul added. The chord progression was meant to demonstrate yearning, which he said he accomplished by using a major sixth chord.

The lyrics express the risk involved in relationships and embarking on a new romantic endeavor, he said. Playing off the concept of the ocean and the diver, Paul said he was inspired by the uncertainty that the ocean holds. Additionally, he said he was inspired by a Jules Verne character named Captain Nemo – who appears most famously in “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas” – who was presented as both elusive and unattainable, which connected to the song’s theme of someone taking a risk by pursuing what their heart wants. This plays on both the actual concept of diving into the ocean as well as plunging into the deep end of life, he added.

“(I) took from the idea of trying to dive deep for someone that you’re interested in, trying to take a plunge, to take a risk,” he said. “I thought it was a metaphor for the idea of plunging deep underwater for somebody.”

As he was working on releasing the song, Paul was also in his last quarter at UCLA. As graduation approached, he felt a lot of uncertainty about what life would look like post-graduation, and because of this, he said his real life and the song were both grasping at the concept of diving into the unknown. Specifically, as an artist, Paul said he usually writes and explores mentally challenging elements, as these feel the most authentic topics to explore.

Former roommate Vasili Magaziotis said Paul has a unique texture in each of his songs. Magaziotis added that Paul is able to emulate not only emotions but specific styles for each piece of music. Magaziotis, a music performance alumnus, said he has shared memorable experiences with Paul, being spontaneous and finding inspiration for songwriting out in the world. Magaziotis added that Paul has an introspective nature to his artistry.

Bryan Vazquez, who collaborated with Paul on “Captain Nemo,” said the musicianis open to different creative ideas, and as they worked together, they were able to learn from each other. Vasquez said something that contributes to Paul’s uniqueness is his ability to establish his own aesthetic. He said Paul makes his own cover art for his music releases, which is a way to differentiate his intricacies as an artist. Regarding this, Paul said he was inspired by his brother, who is talented in visual arts, and became specifically interested in the impasto painting technique, hand-painting all of his cover art in this particular style.

“(Paul) is very unique because he is forward with an aesthetic,” Vazquez said. “The first thing you develop as an artist is an aesthetic, and Xavier embodies that with the whole painting aesthetic … that cover art is potent.”

Paul said he has learned that there are challenges in artistry, such as critiquing your own work and doubting yourself. He added that the creative process challenges him to not overthink, teaching him to stop doubting himself and to accept what he has created.

As an artist, he said he hopes to release his debut album “Lacquer” inthe next few months. He said his time at UCLA opened him to a welcoming community, and his advice to fellow artists is to take the risks in life and push past fears, as in the end, it can turn into a good experience.

“I try to do something that’s uncomfortable for me in the moment,” he said. “I think you should go for it – that’s life.”