‘I enjoy the freedom of using whatever the hell you want to make a work of art’
Quentin Hiatus is soon to drop the excellent Passive Boycott ep via Translation. With a title like that it will infer quite a lot about the state of things, and one thing’s for sure: it’s a feat to be able to infuse D&B with powerful ‘real world’ issues which now seem to hit us every day. He talks to us about the thoughts behind the ep and about ‘170 and beyond’…
Passive Boycott is a great intro to people who may be encountering you first. Would you agree?
I agree! I think it’s some of my best work for sure. I really love the vocal dialogue and how it ended up fitting so well.
Of course, I want people to enjoy my music and have an escape but I also want to help spread awareness and knowledge. I think this ep does that.
There’s a lot of thought gone in to this release. It’s interesting: D&B can be simply ‘party’ music to some, but sometimes – as is the case with soul, hip hop and many genres – real world issues can be successfully infused. Is there room for social comment?
The inspiration is strongly rooted in American history – specifically the civil rights movement of the 60s. Not a very positive time in some respects, but so much progress was fought for and achieved in this time. As an African American, this period carries lots of weight and distinction.
I do agree that D&B has that party vibe and people relate to it for that reason but I also know the roots of D&B are strongly tied to urban culture and “the struggle” as I refer to it.
How does it tie in, to the title tune for example?
The title track ‘Passive Boycott’ was inspired by a speech Stokely Carmichael gave in the 60s about passively approaching civil rights and how that wouldn’t get us – Americans – anywhere. I wanted to include real, raw words from that period and get the message out.
Overall, the ep is inspired by social unrest and the endless pursuit of equality many face in America. I wanted to make something conscious and insightful.
What things in general inspire you?
I’m inspired by innovation and simplicity. I like when artists fuse styles in new ways. I’ve spent more time listening to the ‘Electronica’ genre – whatever that means – recently. I like this category as it seems to be a catch all for genreless tunes, which I love!
I find that tunes made specifically for DJing bore me a bit, sometimes.
I make many of my tunes for listeners, not DJs.
Can you take us through the wicked ‘Under It All’ off the ep? That’s a stunning tune.
‘Under It All’ features more Stokely Carmichael dialogue which happens to be my favorite snippet used in the ep
“I don’t have to be impatient: if all this generation, my generation can do, is to move from here to here, let’s do that perfectly. Let’s lay a perfect foundation. So that the children who come after us will be able to carry on the struggle that much further”.
Amazing words that speak to all of us. We all have a responsibility to help sustain a productive and peaceful way of life. This quote is specifically about moving civil rights along and making as much progress as possible while we’re here.
The tune itself is inspired by deep dub and techno fused with halftime drums. It features a Rhodes sample that rides through most of the tune and glitch mid bass stabs.
Speaking of, what’s your fave aspect of production? In the studio, I mean, what do you love?
I love arrangement and composition. I love the creative process. I’m much more of a creative thinker than engineer. I enjoy the freedom of using whatever the hell you want to make a work of art.
Making tunes is my way of being “me”. I get to do whatever I want. I try super hard to not worry about pleasing anyone else when making tracks. But, to answer your question, I love blending ingredients and putting them together ‘my way’.
Can I ask how the linkup with Translation happened? I feel that Brian is very chuffed you’re with them on this!
Ha ha, Brian is an amazing dude. Positive, appreciative and highly educated in the world of independent creative music. Brian and I linked up a couple years back. I started sending him music around 2011, right around the time I started my Free Love Digi label. My first release with Translation was the Zanj Rebellion ep… search Zanj Rebellion online.
I don’t work with many labels, I don’t really enjoy ‘shopping’ my music to labels. I find it much easier and more fulfilling to work with likeminded professionals that keep the spirit of music making intact.
Translation Brian and I see eye to eye on the direction of 170 music and beyond.
What’s another tune from Passive Boycott that you’d discuss with us.
I really like ‘Obsessive Nature’. The halftime drums, the bongo/conga layers, 808 bass and glitch stabs does it for me. It’s repetitive in an aware kind of way, a slightly obsessed way – hence the name. I think that one will sound really good in clubs.
Last let’s talk about the notion of a ‘Passive Boycott’; how do we do it day to day? I do it by ensuring that I don’t consume certain things or endorse aspects of what we read: what are some thoughts from you?
Man, I think you hit the nail on the head. Try your hardest to be aware of what’s really happening in the world and try not to support ideas that divide us even more.
I think the key to boycotting certain ideas and systematic issues is to remain graceful but firm on your position.
Anger and negative spiteful words rarely help. We need to be more empathetic. Empathy is the key to all equality issues in my opinion.
Any shouts?
The biggest love, respect and admiration to my wife Simone. Amazingly supportive of my music and art. Listening to the same Quentin Hiatus loops over and over must make her a little crazy. My Free Love Digi family, Atic, Aura, Thomas B, Ghast, Kaset, Wash, Dom Ridgway, Sinistarr and everyone else who has contributed to the process. Mentor and friend Jim Unknown Error, he saw promise in me from the beginning. James Example for all that he does. My Translation fam, Brian and Steph. My fave American D&B promotion group Recon out of Denver. Maggie, Shoe and the whole team really set the bar high for creating drum and bass culture in the states.
