A Quick Chat with Queency

Can you tell me a bit about your inspiration for your single ‘Purple Diamonds’?

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! It’s also my tribute to the revolutionary Prince, who’s inspired the song. 

What are your influences and how do they affect your songwriting? 

My holy trinity is Prince, Whitney Houston and Stevie Wonder. So I guess classic pop, rnb and soul are my main influences in the context of the ‘Purple Diamonds’ EP and how I wrote these songs. I really wanted to pay homage to music’s greatests, without whom I probably would not have been an artist myself. 

What’s the creative process like for you?

I’m an unwavering believer that having a strong melody and a solid hook is the key to writing a good song. So I guess I tend to put the melody at the forefront of the creative process. I can be inspired by a run I’ve heard a singer do, a song I’ve heard, or just a riff my guitarist throws during a live performance. I sometimes wake up in the middle of the night because I dreamt of a melody and I don’t wanna forget it! Haha! But at times, lyrics come first when the intent is to get something out. I feel like making music is selfish because it is my way to reach catharsis and I sometimes use songwriting as a form of therapy. It’s also generous because I get to share it with people and they hopefully get to feel something too. In most cases I’m driven by intense experiences I have gone through in life. I wrote songs about bad break-ups (don’t we all?), about my dad leaving and breaking my mum’s heart, about a friendship ending in rage, but also about falling in love, and having amazing sex! 

If you could change something about the Australian music industry what would it be? 

I genuinely would love to see more diversity in festivals line-ups, especially here in Western Australia. There is so much talent that the masses are being deprived of, which is really sad…

What do you think life would be like for you if you didn’t have music as an outlet? 

Life would be dull as hell! I’d be heavily depressed and suicidal. Music is not just a passion, it’s a necessity. What I have learnt over time is that music is my therapy. If I don’t do it, I lose my “joie de vivre”. Call me dramatic but music is what I was born to do, and I’d die if I was prevented from doing it.

Is there anyone you would like to collaborate with?  Why?

Look, I would die to do a collab with Kira Puru. I’ve been insatiably obsessed with her since day one. Not only is she an absolute badass and a kick-ass vocalist, but she can write the living hell out of a hook! 

What’s your advice to young people who want to make a career for themselves in the industry? 

Keep doing what you love, keep learning, keep writing, keep working at your craft, become the perfectionist you owe yourself to be to improve, and most importantly: NEVER GIVE UP!

Who’s the most interesting person you’ve worked with/met? 

I’ve worked with so many incredible musicians over the years! And I can’t say one person has been the most interesting because many people have! But to name someone who’s impacted me greatly since she’s entered my life, I have to mention my sister from another island, multiple WAM award winner and ARIA nominated singer songwriter Grace Barbé, who’s not only just been one of my best friends over the years, but my music mentor since my start in the music industry. She’s truly incredible and I would not have become the artist I am today without her undying love and support.

Any plans for a tour on the cards?

I’m going home (Reunion Island) for 2 months in December, so not at this stage, but definitely something we’ll look at in the next year!