DJ QU

From the moment we first heard Dj Qu’s ’Somethin’ Ta Feel’, it was clear the D3K office would become avid fans. The marriage between old skool house values and forward-thinking production had us hooked and thirsty for more. Qu’s label, Strength Music, has gone from strength to strength (sorry, we had to do it!), but on a serious note, it has been a label we’ve been checking on a regular basis, as you never know what's coming next. D3K hit Qu up to discover more about his promising future.

So, who and what do you stand for in this crazy world of independent music?

I stand for preserving underground deep house music. I am into different styles of music but right now my energy and efforts are all for the upliftment of deep house. It is the music that I’ve shown the most dedication towards in my lifetime thus far.

Where do you actually live right now? Does it influence your ethos on the label and your production?

Ethos (I like that word). I was born and raised in New Jersey (US). Been there all my life. Coming up in New jersey definitely plays a major role in my artistry. New Jersey’s had a major house music scene since the very start of the genre. In the late 80s, early 90s, house music was the sound of the urban culture. You didn’t have to go to clubs to hear house music ’cause it was being played right outside your doorstep and all over the neighborhood. I guess the best way to help people understand how much command it had is to reference it to what hip hop music has been for the last 15 years.

On to your new label. You have been pushing new artists on there; is this important to you?

Definitely. It feels good to give a helping hand and at the same time expose people to quality music. I’m truly grateful that today I'm in a position where I’m able to do so. It was done for me at a critical time so I’m always willing to open doors for others as long as their music moves me. Big thanks to Jus-Ed and the Exchange Place crew. They know the label's history.

Have you found pushing your label to the world market difficult, considering you’re a one-man band? Is it something you would recommend to up-and-coming producers?

If you truly believe in your music and you feel that it’s saying something and you’re willing to stick through the hard times along with the good, then yes. If you’re not willing to go through changes in the adventure of pushing a label or your music, then maybe the best thing to do is to shop your music to other labels. When I started recording tracks, I always had the intention of launching my own label. I never contemplated shopping my music to other labels. Never really wanted to listen to someone critique my music. I was always in it for the long run and I knew that I had a long story to tell with the music, so the best thing would be for me to have full control. If my story sounds like someone else interested in contributing to the scene then go for the goal.

So the question on the tech-heads’ lips is, what are you using for your sound? What is your general production set up?

I’m always asked that question by different people I meet, and I feel that it’s not an important factor because nothing analogue or digital or whatever you use is going to decide or shape your sound. Music is made from within. You can use pots and pans to make records and become a phenomenon. In short, the answer is my soul. I have analog pieces of equipment as well as digital and live instruments, but it means very little in the whole scheme of things.

We’re with you on that, but do you feel it is important to keep the analogue way of making music alive? Some people say the soul is in the old gear...

Analogue is a huge contributor to the sound and it will never die. It will exist no matter what the new way of making tracks might be. Older gear is great ’cause you can find elements that aren’t present in newer or more modern equipment. The soul will be wherever you decide to put your soul towards.

The D3K crew have managed to catch some of your DJ sets. Live they are a real eye-opener. How would you describe them?

My DJ sets can consist of a lot of different styles, depending on what mood I’m in, but for the most part I come from a big NY house dance scene. When I say ’house dance’, I mean real dance pros, not 2-steppers, if you understand. I came up playing for real dancers for the most part, so I’m always going into music that’s meant for the people who like to take dance to another level, like the competition or battle, as we call it. Straight vibe’n on the dance floor, sweating until the early morn. Big-ups to the whole underground dance scene in NYC. Thank you for making house dance global!

You’ve been playing all the key clubs on the circuit... Fabric, Panorama and Sub Club. Do you prefer playing the big room platform, or are you more of a secret small room lover?

I appreciate them both. I like blasting tracks in big clubs as well as small, intimate venues. They both have elements that are unique to their structure and are very satisfying to me in different ways. The only thing I expect in both areas is a decent sound system because that always helps.

Do you have plans to move into this now trendy live scene?

Not really. I’ve heard some live acts that did some amazing stuff, but for the most part it doesn’t interest me. I always get the sense that there's no real mixing or blending going on by ear or feel, and to me that’s what a DJ is supposed to do. If you hear a DJ mix, blend, cut or whatever artform they’re capable of with turntables or even CDJs, you know that the DJ has definite skills. I lean towards respecting that form over the trendy live act. No-one ever knows what the future holds, but for now I’ll stick to the turntables because that’s where the term ’DJ’ is derived from.

Finally, there’s alot of good music out there... give me your favourite artist, or record, from the past, present, and of course something to look for in the future.

Well, I’m a big mid 80s, early 90s house lover. That is my favorite era and that will always be in my heart. Today, I like the material that the crew is doing (Jus-Ed, Black Jazz Consortium, Exchange Place, Deconstruct crew etc). I also appreciate different artists from different parts of the globe, so I’ll keep my answer very general. Respect to the US, Europe, Asia and Africa for the majestic music that has inspired me so much and contributed to the development of my sound. Hope I didn't forget anyone. Also, look out for more material and collaborations coming out on Strength Music Recordings. We are here to stay, so get used to us!

Promotional links

http://www.myspace.com/strengthmusic http://www.discogs.com/label/Strength+Music