A Chat with K C Q (24.03.24)
Filled with raw energy, infectious enthusiasm and a vibrancy to knock any kaleidoscopic socks off, K C Q is truly something special. From trip-hop to alternative pop and even a slight hint of indie-rock, K C Q pounds her way into your heart with exceptional diversity, innovativeness and originality. We speak with the UK-based artist about her EP Former Teen Model, opinions on tattoos, crazy performances and plans for the future.
OSR: What made you decide to become a musician?
K C Q: Me dad was a musician, so I was raised with music surroundin’. Then I heard a bunch of trip hop like Tricky and Massive Attack at fourteen and was like, this me jam, innit?
OSR: What does music mean to you?
K C Q: It’s magic. One sec it’d be silence and next it’s a tune out of nowhere made by yer soul. People don’t appreciate that it’s hard to fill the spaces with creative thought. Don’t take it for granted. And give an artist a compliment from time to time. It really is like a desert out there and they just crossed it. Kids need the water, like. I played a fit fine geezer one of me songs and he said nothing at all, talked over the whole thing, and I was like I’m totally not gonna bang you now, so, boy, you missed out.
OSR: You only began performing as a solo artist last year. What sort of stressors or challenges have you had to face in the past year and how have you dealt with them?
K C Q: I like to put on a good show and sometimes that’s not possible in a small pub. I like to climb the speakers and strut around and sit on the bar. Since I’m not playing guitar, just singing, I can get real mobile-like. And this helps ‘cos I’m not as nervous just standing on stage and having people look at me tits and bum. I’m working on getting a large enough crowd that I can stage dive, but not yet, not yet. Soon!
OSR: You recently released your debut EP Former Teen Model. What can you tell us about it?
K C Q: Former Teen Model isn’t my debut, Broken Stays Broken is – that EP came out a couple of months before FTM. Both together would be me first statement. I’m only 20 so I’ll make a bigger one somewheres in the future. BSB was done on spec with this American producer I liked and it’s a real banger, but in the gap between finishing and release I had more songs and a proper band so we quickly did four more songs that became Former Teen Model. So BSB is more polished and pop and FTM is more live-soundin’ and rough. I really was a teenage model, btw.
OSR: Do you have a specific creative process and what is it?
K C Q: Not as of yet – I’m different as I figure my shit out. One thing I do is record lots of me raps to a click track and then maybe some beats and some claps and I also have a piano. Those get sent off to me band, or me producer, who adds and subtracts until I give me blessin’.
OSR: What do you hope people take from your music?
K C Q: Me rhymes get pretty dark. I talk about myself and that wee evil voice in me head a lot. I hope people take that it’s all right to speak up about yer feels, even when it exposes you as a mad hatter.
OSR: What do you take from your music?
K C Q: Not sure I can answer this one. Ask me again in two years.
OSR: Random questions: What is your opinion on tattoos?
K C Q: I’m bare – no tattoos. But me friends are covered and that’s fine, too. I ain’t found an image I’m that attached to yet to put the ink in me. But I do like the NEARLY GOD track ‘Tattoo’ if that checks the box!
OSR: What’s the most interesting conversation you have had?
K C Q: This one! No one’s ever asked me opinion on ink before.
OSR: What can we expect from K C Q in the future?
K C Q: Catch me at a pub near you this summer. I’m driving all over England with me band. Announcements soon.
OSR: Do you have a message for our readers?
K C Q: Vote Labour! Cheers to Arsenal! Long live Tricky! God bless Bexley!
Many thanks to K C Q for chatting with us! For more from K C Q, check out her YouTube channel and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
Discover more trip-hop tunes on The Other Side Reviews Trip Hop playlist:
