When you’re an NBA fan, chances are high you’ve heard “Luka Magic”—the viral anthem that lit up the Dallas Mavericks 2022 season. The artist behind the observe, Exel, shortly turned a recognizable identify within the NBA. However since then, he’s pivoted into performing, touchdown roles in Walker, Landman, a number of indie movies, and the Amazon Prime sequence, BandMates.
We caught up with Exel to speak about his transition to performing, his new sequence, ‘BandMates,’ and his wonderful rise to stardom.
First off congrats on all of your success. The soar from music to performing isn’t simple, however you’re doing it. How’s that journey been?
Exel: Thanks a lot, meaning lots to me. Performing has been rewarding! I’ve been very fortunate each in music and performing to all the time be surrounded by such gifted folks and a terrific inside circle that I can be taught from and be motivated by. Something that I do know got here from somebody displaying me. As with music; performing has had enormous studying curves to it. I’m nonetheless fairly inexperienced in comparison with most actors that I work with who’re simply really unbelievable at what they do and I couldn’t do it with out their steerage.
Let’s discuss BandMates! Amazon Prime is a big deal and the drumming scenes seemed legit! Did you could have prior expertise behind the equipment, or did it’s a must to be taught? Any humorous rehearsal tales there?
Exel: Thanks! Oh, wow, yeah, I’ve been taking part in the drums since I can bear in mind. I began out on the drums as a bit of child after which went to the guitar, bass, keyboard, and realized to sing. The entire devices have all the time been an enormous ardour of mine, however I believe I’ve all the time loved the drums probably the most. Haha, so far as rehearsals, for positive…I’m a extremely heavy handed drummer and it’s all the time been one thing I’ve wished to work on. I slam on drums and cymbals approach too rattling arduous. It seems cool and all, but it surely simply doesn’t should be finished, haha. I stored attempting actually arduous to carry again on slamming as a result of it might find yourself peaking the recording mics an excessive amount of and simply completely destroy any audio the movie crew was attempting to get. I positively bought in bother a couple of instances there. Hopefully my apology was accepted as a result of I gave it an actual go at being quiet, haha.
You play the character, Chris, who’s the drummer of the band and seemingly the chief. There’s a rawness to him by way of the sequence…virtually like he’s carrying unstated tales. Did you and the creators construct a backstory for him past the script?
Exel: Chris was somebody actually heavy to play. Particularly as a result of he had a lot emotion simply packed inside him. Chris is that this presence however actually so damaged inside. The writers did such a improbable job with the entire characters and the actors actually introduced all of them to life. I used to be fortunate to get actually good course from everybody on set to faucet deep into Chris’ demons. Some scenes bought so heavy that I’d be mentally exhausted afterwards and simply lay on the sofa for some time. It was arduous to close Chris off typically as a result of they only had a lot depth. Chris’ backstory involves life by way of the sequence and I believe folks will likely be shocked by some revelations about them. It was very pleasant and splendidly difficult.
Chris looks like the sort who feels the whole lot however says little or no. Did that problem you as an actor, or did it come naturally?
Exel: Man…Yeah, Chris had moments of being talkative, but it surely was all the time in fairly intense bursts and garnished with some type of emotional heaviness. To your level, Chris did quite a lot of letting the face and physique motion do the speaking between these moments. It was difficult at instances. I’d need to assume “Okay, as a drummer, all of us need to be shifting and tapping always, so I assume I’ll be continually bopping round and tapping my fingers or drum sticks on my chest or my knee or another a part of my physique.” That was robust as a result of on the identical time you’re attempting to pay attention for queues and bear in mind strains. It’s a must to act pure and fluid the entire time such as you’re not attempting to recollect what’s coming subsequent or when it’s your flip.
How would Chris describe the remainder of the band in a single phrase — no filter?
Exel: Nincompoops.
You’re large into health, and it reveals. How does coaching assist you to stability the strain of performing and your artistic course of?
Exel: Thanks! At this level I believe health has change into such part of my every day routine that I discover an enormous distinction if I don’t prepare for a few days. I do MMA, Muay Thai, boxing, and bodybuilding weekly. My days simply don’t really feel full with out figuring out and even one thing as small as going for a run, so I continually guarantee that I’m shifting round. I believe it’s all simply behavior now which helps me to remain centered.
So what’s subsequent for Exel? Extra performing, new music, one thing completely surprising?
Exel: Nice query, and I want I may additionally reply it and be appropriate, haha! I can say that I’ve been engaged on music each solo and with a great pal of mine, Raf. When will one thing be launched in that division? Tremendous arduous to say. With the mission I’m engaged on with my pal, Raf; we each play all the primary devices, so we change from guitar to drums to bass to singing and writing backwards and forwards and that’s been a extremely superior dynamic to be part of. He’s one of the gifted folks that I do know. I’m fortunate to know the man. He’s a primary instance of somebody I all the time be taught one thing from. For performing? I did a spot on Landman and am being introduced again out for it, which is absolutely greater than I can ask for, in order that’s (hopefully) most likely the place you’ll see me subsequent for performing. I’d love to start out doing intense roles or horror roles, however I’m a continuing scholar to all of this, so I’ve a bit extra studying to do I really feel. For something surprising? Oof…I believe I’ve about 100 plans a day about what I’d like to do subsequent, haha. As of now, I’m actually falling in love with performing.
As we ship you in your approach, is there anything you’d prefer to say?
Completely – thanks to everybody who has helped me alongside this journey and have supported me in any capability. It’s one thing that I all the time take into consideration and admire. Make sure that to be taught from everybody round you as a result of each individual you meet is aware of one thing that you just don’t know. Be grateful and grateful each day. Do one thing good each day. Give again to your group. Stand for what you imagine in.
Comply with Exel on Instagram and catch him on Season 1 of “BandMates,” now streaming on Amazon Prime.
