Interview by Ratha Gud
Quentin a huge welcome back to DMCWORLD towers – where in the world are you today?
Thanks! I am currently sitting in my basement/work space at home in Upstate New York.
It’s been a while since we’ve heard any new music from you, you have been missed! What have you been up to and why the long silence?
Well, let me address the long silence first. Since my last album “Sacrifice” I have been dealing with all of the emotions that I kinda had to put on the back burner when Sacrifice was released. During that time my sister and father passed away within 5 months. Also, a few months later my good friend Arron Carl passed away also. He and I were in the process on working on an album together. So music was kinda not really on the front burners life was and music was on the back burner. But I still made and created music I just wasn’t the kind of music that most people know me for. I honestly needed to feel challenged and feel growth and I wasn’t feeling that.
House Music trends have changed considerably in recent years, are you a fan of the current deep house and tech-edged spin on things or the heavy sampling & re-edits that’s currently all the rage, or are you still a fan of the quality classic House sound? Where do you position yourself in the midst of all this chaos?
Music is all relative to me. If I like it, I will play it. No matter what new name they are coming up with for the same music style of music that was playing last year. I love a lot of what going on now. If I had to complain about anything it would be that I would like to hear more songs and a little bit more creative sampling (I guess that is my hip hop side coming out). I position myself right in the center of the chaos.
You’re finally back with a the awesome new single ‘Stronger’ with Jason Walker, tell us about the song?
Well, it’s a foot stomping, musical, horn laden opus to emotional growth after someone whom you loved took off the mask and showed you the real person who was wearing it.
You’re now part of the giant Def Mix family, how did that all come about?
Well, David Morales and I had been friends for a while and two summers ago we just seem to be in the same places at the same time a lot! And he knew that I had left my previous management and was doing everything myself and he asked me if I wanted to join the legendary Def Mix family. I said yes. And it was made official at ADE 2012.
And having David remix your new record must be a trip?
Yeah, but it really didn’t dawn on me until I saw this question. lol
You have worked with a lot of artists over the years, who has been the highlight collaboration so far?
Hands down Ultra Nate!
How’s the New York club scene at the moment, who and where is rocking it?
The New York club scene is in this strange transitional period I think. I moved upstate two hours away from the city so I wouldn’t be the right person to give you an accurate observation as a whole. But I do know that Shorty’s new club Analog is MAJOR!
What’s you’re favourite piece of studio kit right now?
My favorite piece of gear right now has to be the Waves NX plug in which virtually turns your headphones into a virtual room. So now you can get better mixes out of headphones.
Have you got a set formula when writing tracks in the studio?
Not really, it’s different most of the time.
What’s your tip for any young producers just starting out?
Learn to play the piano and don’t be afraid to mix things up. It’s much more fun that way.
What are your 5 big tunes of the moment?
Raury – Devils Whisper
P-Diddy – Finna Get Loose
Black Stereo Faith- SNL
Quentin Harris & Jason Walker – Stronger
Cassis ft Cat Power & Mike D – Action
Musically, what has been the biggest bump in the road for you and what has been your biggest achievement to date?
I would have to say that my biggest bump in the road for me is all the crazy new hats I have to wear which seem to get in the way of making music. My biggest achievement to date is still being able to do what I love.
We come round to your house and are looking through your tunes. Which record do you hide before we arrive?
I don’t hide anything because if I bought it I liked it.
Not many people know this but Quentin Harris is really good at…
Cooking.
And finally, what else is coming up from you studio wise we can look forward to. Any plans for a new album?
Besides the release of stronger that comes out in May, Ultra Nate and I will be releasing our album. We are a duo, sort of like a Eurythmics. We are called Black Stereo Faith. I am very proud of this album, I got a chance to really use all of my musical and production skills with this project that has taken us almost 10 years to finish – because, ya know life does show up every now and then.
‘Stronger’ will be released on Traxsource promo May 16th and worldwide on May 30th 2016 on Def Mix Music
