// Exclusive interview with . . . Qzen //

Hailing from San Fran, Qzen has been perfecting her art over the last 10 years from throwing parties, hosting radio shows, working at Apple’s ITunes as dance and electronic programmer, co-producing with 40 Thieves on Permanent Vacation, creating, performing and debuting her live set at Decibel Festival in Seattle and MUTEK in Buenos Aires and Montreal, smashing it all over North and South America and Europe and has recently re-located to Berlin. We have been digging this broad for a some time now, in fact Qzen’s mixes have been the soundtrack to many an activity over the last couple of years here at the Sound Canvas ranch.  This week we caught up with this fine human female specimen for a cheeky interview . . . 1. Which party have you enjoyed DJing at this year? I really enjoyed my last date in Buenos Aires, at Cocoliche, and live, it was a blast to play with Mossa and friends at MUTEK in Montreal. 2. The earth is about to explode . . . you have time to retrieve 3 pieces of prized vinyl and make a sandwich to take into your emergency evacuation vessel, what records would they be and what filling would you have in your sandwich? Since I have to make it, it would be a proper grilled cheese, in the style of my father — otherwise, it would be what used to be called the "Veggie Backstabber" from Ike's Place in San Francisco.  I dream of that thing!  As for the records, Fortran 5 "Heart on the Line (Moby Bassline Mix)", Kirsty Hawkshaw "Leafy Lane (Matrix Remix)", and Q "The Voice of Q".

3. If we could take care of all your commitments this weekend and you had unlimited funds, where on the planet would you go and what would you get up to? Unlimited funds!  I'd want to take a boat and a helicopter, get out into nature to somewhere I'd never been, somewhere remote and warm with lots of awesome animals to hang out with, and eat delicious, healthy, freshly prepared food.  I'd like to meet big cats, like tigers!  That, and/or honestly, I'd love to play.  I just love DJing — but in a club with no smoking, for chrissakes. 4. Who’s your favourite DJ at the moment? Tough question, really.  Last set I was really impressed with was from Sonja Moonear.  I also enjoyed both Dixon's and Pépé Bradock's sets at MUTEK, and I've liked what I've heard from Prosumer while I've been in Berlin.  All those cats just kept it interesting and not one-dimensional.  I get bored easily on the dance floor at this point, unfortunately.  Takes a lot to move me. 5. What two critical pieces of advice would you pass on to like minded aspiring artists/dj's? Only play tracks you really love (that means DIG), and have faith in yourself without being so cocky you're not willing to learn something new. 6. If you could choose a superpower what would it be? According to my nephew, I already have one, and it's Carl, the family dog.  I really don't know what I can do with him, seeing as he's old and cranky now, but it's so absurd, I'll stick with that. 7. Which producer/s should we be keeping an ear out for in the near future? Instead of producers, I want to point your ears toward a newer label: Throne of Blood, James F!@#$% Friedman's label out of New York.  Solid stuff there.  Actually, speaking of New York, I'm curious about what's next to come from Michna.  He's a talented one. 8. What is your guilty pleasure? I try not to be guilty about anything (such a toxic emotion!), but I am a glutton for melted cheese. 9. What can we expect from Qzen now that you have re-located to Berlin? My own solo productions, finally, and more dates in Europe!  Wheee!

Check out Qzen's latest mix at >>> http://soundcloud.com/qzen and her other bit 'n' pieces here >>> http://qzen.dj/

1. Which party have you enjoyed DJing at this year?

I really enjoyed my last date in Buenos Aires, at Cocoliche, and live, it was a blast to play with Mossa and friends at MUTEK in Montreal.

2. The earth is about to explode . . . you have time to retrieve 3 pieces of prized vinyl and make a sandwich to take into your emergency evacuation vessel, what records would they be and what filling would you have in your sandwich?

Since I have to make it, it would be a proper grilled cheese, in the style of my father — otherwise, it would be what used to be called the "Veggie Backstabber" from Ike's Place in San Francisco.  I dream of that thing!  As for the records, Fortran 5 "Heart on the Line (Moby Bassline Mix)", Kirsty Hawkshaw "Leafy Lane (Matrix Remix)", and Q "The Voice of Q".

3. If we could take care of all your commitments this weekend and you had unlimited funds, where on the planet would you go and what would you get up to?

Unlimited funds!  I'd want to take a boat and a helicopter, get out into nature to somewhere I'd never been, somewhere remote and warm with lots of awesome animals to hang out with, and eat delicious, healthy, freshly prepared food.  I'd like to meet big cats, like tigers!  That, and/or honestly, I'd love to play.  I just love DJing — but in a club with no smoking, for chrissakes.

4. Who’s your favourite DJ at the moment?

Tough question, really.  Last set I was really impressed with was from Sonja Moonear.  I also enjoyed both Dixon's and Pépé Bradock's sets at MUTEK, and I've liked what I've heard from Prosumer while I've been in Berlin.  All those cats just kept it interesting and not one-dimensional.  I get bored easily on the dance floor at this point, unfortunately.  Takes a lot to move me.

5. What two critical pieces of advice would you pass on to like minded aspiring artists/dj's?

Only play tracks you really love (that means DIG), and have faith in yourself without being so cocky you're not willing to learn something new.

6. If you could choose a superpower what would it be?

According to my nephew, I already have one, and it's Carl, the family dog.  I really don't know what I can do with him, seeing as he's old and cranky now, but it's so absurd, I'll stick with that.

7. Which producer/s should we be keeping an ear out for in the near future?

Instead of producers, I want to point your ears toward a newer label: Throne of Blood, James F!@#$% Friedman's label out of New York.  Solid stuff there.  Actually, speaking of New York, I'm curious about what's next to come from Michna.  He's a talented one.

8. What is your guilty pleasure?

I try not to be guilty about anything (such a toxic emotion!), but I am a glutton for melted cheese.

9. What can we expect from Qzen now that you have re-located to Berlin?

My own solo productions, finally, and more dates in Europe!  Wheee!