He’s one of the most incredible DJs on the South African music scene at the moment. He has had a variety of hit singles over the past two years and as he prepares for his upcoming album, DJ Qness has just released another banger titled ‘Fire Lighter’. This week, he opens up about the new single, his upcoming album and South African dance music.
You’ve released hits such as ‘My World’ and ‘Can You Feel It’ over the past year and a half. Why do you think South Africans have identified with your music so much?
I think it’s not just South Africans but the world. I’ve actually been informed that there are people as far as Greece, UK and Nigeria that are vibing to my tunes. I suppose it all stems from the fact that I make universal music – there are really no boundaries hence it resonates so easily with people from all walks of life.
The local dance space is blowing up. Why do you think dance music is such a popular genre in South Africa?
It must stem from the fact that South Africans are people who love to dance and enjoy themselves and dance music just happens to be at the very forefront of fueling that. More and more people are finding solace in good music and just having a great time and this has thus led to the dance industry becoming bigger than it has ever been before – it’s really a great time for people like us.
What do you think it is about the music that you release that makes you different?
I would be lying if I say I knew. I’ve never had a formula or strategy as to how I make my music. It’s always been about how I feel and what is influencing or inspiring me at the time. So I suppose my uniqueness may come from there.
Your new single ‘Fire Lighter’ is something different from you. What inspired the song?
My transition from being a simple DJ to an electronic live act. We are no longer just DJs spinning decks, we are now performers. “Fire Lighter” is not the type of song that you just play on the decks, but it makes you want to experience it live and that’s where the Qness brand is now.
Berita is the featured vocalist on the track. What was it like working with her?
It was amazing to watch the song grow to be so different from how it was initially written. Berita wrote the track behind an acoustic guitar and we made it a dance track. That’s what made her amazing to work with because she was so flexible to watch her idea grow and let the “new age” producers do their thing on her original work.
You’ve explored sounds of a Spanish guitar on the single while blending it with a variety of African and international dance sounds. How important is experimentation in your music?
Experimentation has played a vital role in my music – especially my last few singles. From the melodic synths on “My World” to the rhythmic guitars on “Can You Feel It” and now the magical guitars on “Fire Lighter”, it’s the experimentation that has helped the music stand out more than ever before.
The song will be on your upcoming album. What can you tell us about that release?
My album is set for a March 2017 release. It features some great collaborations with some really amazing vocalists. I can’t mention who some of the features are just yet but there will be lots of surprises. What I can say, however, is expect a few surprises. There are some vocalists you would never expect me to collaborate with and that’s what makes this release so exciting.
Now that the single is picking up, what’s next?
I am putting the final touches on the upcoming album while playing a few gigs around the country. I might also do a tour for the “DJ Qness Live Experience” so expect me in your town soon!
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