Ones to Watch: XIE, The Lucky, & Ren Martinez
- By: Adriana Bolanos
April Edition…
Spring’s in full swing, and so is a whole new wave of artists who are flipping the script and making music on their own terms. At Loop Mag, we’re always tuned in to the ones pushing boundaries—and this month, we got to sit down with three names you need to know: XIE, The Lucky, and Ren Martinez. From producers to storytellers to a band built in the dorms, these are the names to keep on your radar. What do they have in common? A fearless sense of self and a clear vision for where music is going next.
XIE
The Chinese-American Female Producer/DJ, XIE, went from classical music to global dance floors, she’s mastered the art of turning emotion into sound. Her latest single, LOVE LANGUAGE, is a groovy UK tech house track that pulls you into her electronic world. “Talk to me in electronic, I only speak in electronic,” she teases—a challenge and an invitation in one.
Her upcoming EP, Kick Drum Heart, dives deep into her love for house music. The title track says it all: “I gave my heart to the kick drum, just need that beat let me get some.” Dark, underground, and full of UK influences, this project transforms dance music into a true experience.
With classical training and an ear for detail, XIE trusts her instincts when it comes to production. “I let the feeling and sounds guide me,” she says. This approach has earned her spots on major festival stages like Coachella and EDC, where her high-energy sets leave crowds hyped. Whether she’s rocking a festival or sharing a quiet moment with Bob Sinclair in Miami, XIE is living every beat.
A career highlight? Creating Birds In Paradise, inspired by the flower. It turned into a powerful story about serenity and connection. XIE’s storytelling style adds depth and meaning to her music, setting her apart in the scene.
Beyond the music, XIE is pushing for more female representation in electronic music—not just on stage but as producers, label heads, and industry leaders. “There’s so much room to blow people away with great music and performances,” she says, hoping to inspire young girls to embrace their creative power. Merging music, fashion, and fitness, she’s building an artistic identity that goes beyond the decks.
What’s next? More music, bigger stages, and a dream collaboration soon to be announced. With her eyes set on Ibiza and the UK, XIE is proving that electronic music isn’t just a genre—it’s a lifestyle, a language, and a movement.
The Lucky
The Lucky started in a dorm room—just a few Berklee students writing songs for fun. “A month in, we grabbed a few more buddies, slapped a band name down (Hand Made House), and started playing shows,” they recall. Six years, a lineup change, and a fresh start later, The Lucky was born. “It started with just us three, back in the dorms, and…” well, the rest is history.
Their sound? A mix of pop, rock, and hip-hop, but really, it’s just them. “We let the song write itself,” they say. Tucker’s bold vocals, Maison’s sharp guitar, and Josh’s tight drums and production are what make The Lucky, The Lucky.
Growing up, they were hooked on NSYNC, the Backstreet Boys, and early 2000s pop-punk. But for Tucker, one influence stands out: “I love a good choir background vocal. That’s what stuck with me.”
That love for harmonies shines in Sweet Talker, their latest single—a catchy, technical, and, let’s be real, a little sexy track. “We just wanted to write something really fun,” they admit. “Fun to listen to, fun to play live, fun to dance to. It’s the fun one.”
And that 80s funk vibe? Totally intentional. “We’re old souls,” they say. “Even Hand Made House had some 80s influence. Maison has a Pat Benatar poster in his room. That’s where we’re at.”
As for what’s next, Sweet Talker may or may not be part of a bigger project. “We look at all our songs as one giant project,” they explain. That nonstop creativity has led to some unexpected hits—like the time a painting at the Museum of Fine Art inspired one of their most-streamed songs.
But for The Lucky, nothing beats the rush of live shows. Their most unforgettable moment? “Our Viper Room set. So much time and effort went into making that night happen, and it went absolutely perfectly.”
Looking ahead to 2025, expect new music, bigger shows, and some surprises. “We can’t say much yet, but there’s a lot coming.”
And in five years? “Touring. That’s the dream,” they say. “We love playing live. Hopefully, we’re on the road in any capacity.”
With their energy, chemistry, and one-of-a-kind sound, The Lucky isn’t just an indie band on the rise—they’re the band you didn’t know you needed.
Ren Martinez
For Ren Martinez, music and storytelling have always been inseparable. Raised in a creative household where movies were practically religion, she grew up absorbing stories from every angle. “We saw every movie in theaters—every genre, every rating,” she recalls. “I joke that I saw everything between 1999 and 2007. Some definitely not age-appropriate, but my parents had great taste.”
That early exposure to cinema helped shape the narrative quality that defines her songwriting today. “Good stories give me catharsis,” she says. “They help me process. That’s what I’m trying to do with my music—bring people into a world where feelings are big and worth exploring.”
Though she’s been performing since childhood, Martinez never had a “big moment” of deciding to pursue music. “I just always knew,” she says. “It was slow and steady—but always the path.” Encouraged by her parents to follow her own rhythm, she found her way through community theater, school choirs, and eventually writing her own songs.
Her music has since found its way into shows like New Girl and Hacks, and her latest single, Bad Days Too, marks a more personal chapter. Written in the aftermath of a mental health low point—and inspired in part by the 2018 Woolsey Fire that hit her hometown—it’s a song about surviving when things fall apart. “I hadn’t written in months, but I sat down and forced myself,” she says. “What came out ended up being one of my favorites.”
Strangely, the song’s release came just days after new wildfires swept through LA. “It felt surreal,” she says. “But I ended up feeling grateful that I had something to offer. I don’t have a lot of resources in this life, but I do have vulnerability. That’s something I can give.”
That drive to connect—through emotion, honesty, and vivid storytelling—powers everything she does. “The more specific I get, the more people seem to connect,” she says. “And then I feel less alone too.”
With her debut album Fingers Crossed rolling out through 2025, Martinez is just getting started building the emotional universe her songs live in. “I want people to step into it for a little while,” she says. “For the good days—and the bad days too.”
Read More
