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Interview with
QUEENCY

(23rd November 2022)

Interview with Dave Bruce

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Photo credit Jeff Ettridge

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Have you always wanted to be a musician? When did you get the song writing bug? 
I have a very clear childhood memory of watching the music video of “Wannabe” by the Spice Girls and telling myself, “That’s I wanna do” and that feeling never went away! I started making music with my cousin who had a bedroom studio in our early teensin Reunion Island, and then started writing songs on my keys in my late teens after a break-up… Pretty cliché… But music started professionally with me joining Soukouss Internationale as their front guy, which introduced me to Perth music industry and later saw me start my personal project as Queency.

How would you describe your sound? Why do you think people resonate with your music?
I would say that my music would fall under rnb/soul/pop genres. But never say never! It’s about what I’m feeling at the moment. And the people who do resonate with my music do because I write about real stories and intense emotions, which they can recognise in their own journey.

Which artist’s music and/or performance, past or present, inspires you today? 
My holy trinity is Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder and Prince.

Your new single Purple Diamonds has just been released! Describe its origin and evolution. 
Purple Diamonds is a shameless synth heavy and vocally stacked retro pop track modernised to 21st century’s flavours. It’s definitely an ode to 80s pop, but I wanted it to be seasoned to the taste of today! And I like it extra spicy. So we turned the heat all the way up! I wrote Purple Diamonds’ melody and lyrics without an arrangement or chords, just knowing exactly what I wanted the final product to sound like. This track saw a lot of workshopping before reaching its final stage. It’s an ode to 80’s pop and my tribute to the late and forever incredible Prince. And what better way to pay tribute to Prince than writing a heavy-synthed, vocally-stacked, explicitly phrased and shamelessly unapologetic pop track? We turned the temperature all the way up on this one! Purple Diamonds is a metaphor for giving your most intimate self to someone you can’t resist, without inhibitions. We all remember the best sex of our lives. Well, that’s what Purple Diamonds is about. The song was arranged by Ethan French and produced by Kruger James, and we dropped a couple of sound easter eggs in it, like the cowbell after the first chorus referencing Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody”. Can you find the others? 

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Is there an EP or Album on the drawing board?
My debut EP, also named Purple Diamonds is dropping this week!

Any tours or events coming up soon? What are you looking forward to, and what can the fans expect?
No tour plans in the near future as I’m going back home for a 2 months holiday for the first time in 3 years (thanks miss rona…), but I’d love to organise a full tour next year! In the meantime, you can catch me at the Nannup Festival in March 2023! :)

How has COVID affected you to date? What have you introduced to balance the losses from missed events?
Like every other musician I guess… Dates cancelled, loss of income and just an unhealthy amount of uncertainty. But I have a day time job which remained stable throughout the pandemic, so I’m thankfully not in a position to complain.

If you could perform with any music artist, Alive or Dead, who would you choose? And why? 
I would’ve loved to be one of Whitney Houston’s backing up vocalists. She’s the OG powerhouse vocalist, the GOAT!!! Oh to be gracing the same stage as her would’ve made my entire life and the next. And the next… And the next!

Do you have any long-term aspirations as a music artist? 
I would love for my music to be heard and appreciated not only in Australia but back home and across the globe! I’ve always told myself, one day I’ll tour the world! I’m also the biggest stage whore so my dream would be to play l’Olympia in Paris one day. I would legit die!

What is the best thing about performing to a live audience? 
Not gonna lie, I’m an absolute stage whore… haha! Nothing beats the thrill of performing for a large crowd and sharing that connection, that space where time disappears with people. There is no energy like the one you can receive from a crowd. The highest lived moments of my life occurred on stage. There’s nothing like it and nothing can beat it. 

What’s been the career highlight so far?
Performing the Telethon on national TV this year! It was an incredible experience! :)

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Finally, a few questions for some quick answers –
FAVOURITE:
Album – Songs in the Key of Life by Stevie Wonder
Artist – Whitney Houston
Movie – Le fabuleux destin d’Amélie Poulain 
Place to visit – Cilaos in Reunion Island
Venue to play – Mojo’s in North Freo
Food – DIM SUM OMG
Drink – Amaretto Sour (with a shot of whiskey in it)
Person in History – Harriet Tubman (American abolitionist and social activist)
Tattoo – I don’t have one and will never get one. I’m forever changing my mind and do not want yesterday’s fad to look at me in the mirror for the rest of my life. But piercings? Bring them on!!

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Follow QUEENCY
YouTube – Instagram – Facebook – Spotify

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Press Release 27th October 2022 (below) HERE

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QUEENCY
shares new single
PURPLE DIAMONDS

+ Announces debut EP
PURPLE DIAMONDS
for Nov 24 release

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AMNPLIFY – DB