Queenie – The Playground Mix + Interview

Singer, producer and DJ, Queenie is one of London’s music gems. With her music background and diverse range of influences, she’s now one out of the mass, with a string of unique productions bridging the gap between bass, house and garage music. Her ‘And Every: Remixes’ EP is out now, featuring Maddslinky/Zed Bias, Walter Ego and a self VIP remix. Looking forward to Queenie’s set at Proud Galleries on this Saturday next to Surkin, Canblaster, Cause & Affect and more, we grabbed few minutes for an exclusive interview + The Playground Mix to give you a little taster of what to expect.

Hi Queenie, how are you and what are you up to today?

Hello! I am good thanks. Today I am in the studio, working on some tracks, heating on, drinking some pineapple and coconut juice.

To those not familiar with you, how would you describe your sound?

I would say my sound consists of elements of House and Garage, Bass and my vocal, with one eye on the past and another on the future.

Your first approach to music was as a pianist, violinist and singer. How did you get into electronic music?

When I was growing up my brother was a DJ and whilst I was doing my violin practise he was making music in his home studio and DJing Frankie Knuckles, The prodigy, Rave, House. Growing up in North West London, electronic music such as UK G, House, Grime, Bassline was the music you heard at house parties and on pirate radio and I thought, I want to make music like that.

What are the 5 albums and artists that have influenced you the most?

Bjork, Basement Jaxx, The Prodigy, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson.

What other artists do you really like at the moment and why?

I’m really into Tessela at the moment. He is releasing great bass driven music which always provides that moment in your sets when the crowd goes mad! Also Medlar, real vibes on his tracks and great production and Paul Woolford’s alias Special Request is another producer who can do no wrong in my eyes.

What are some of the key pieces of gear you use to write your tracks?

My SM7 Vocal Mic. A lot of the time I’m singing in my studio writing around hooks so the SM7 is my favourite piece of equipment. It is the same mic which was used to record Michael Jacksons thriller!

What’s the best gig you have ever done and why?

Probably Secret Garden Party, the Pagoda Stage. The crowd were going mental, the sun was going down, perfect moment.

What’s the worst gig you have ever done and why?

Maybe the one where a certain someone poured beer all over my CD’s!

What can we expect from your performance at Proud Galleries for The Playground on the 18th of October?

Vibes.

What are your thoughts on the following music genres?

Classical – Rachmaninov, Saint Saens, Bach. I am classically trained and grew up listening to classical music. Its always a good source of inspiration.

Blues – Who doesn’t love the Blues.

Soul – I grew up listening to old soul records and you cannot help but be inspired by the vocalists who made the genre what it was.

Hip-Hop – I love Hip – Hop and used to listen to it all the time. Public Enemy, Pharcyde, De La Soul, Jazzmatazz.
Folk – I lived in Manchester for a while and there is a big Folk scene there which lots of my friends were involved in, so I have a big soft spot for folk although I think for me its to listen to sometimes, not all the time.
Dubstep – I would say I am probably more of a fan of the older style of Dubstep. My personal taste is more along the Hessle Audio and Deep Medi lines. Mala – Alicia – amazing track.
Trap – No comment on Trap!

As a Londoner, what do you think will be the next big thing musically speaking?

I hope it will be something out there and crazy.

If you could choose any place in the world, where would you be now?

In LA with my film composer brother and his family who live there!

Tracklist
About you – Palace
Jaguar Shark – A1 Bassline
808 – Low Steppa
Super Shady – Tom Garnett and Chris Lorenzo
Crackle – Animal Youth
Swarm – New York Transit Authority
Deep Inside – Hardrive ( Pearson Sound Edit)
And Every – Queenie (Maddslinky remix)
Club Lonely ( Nice n Ripe Dub) – Groove Connektion 2
When I come through – Moet and Benson
Red Alert – Bassement Jaxx (Steve Gurley mix)