DJ MikeQ is one of the foremost figures of New York City’s continuing & passionate ballroom & vogue scenes. But just because it’s re-emerging in the headlines doesn’t mean it ever left the underground. MikeQ was inspired by the scene just over a decade ago, & has since placed his distinctive take on the genre, combining classic loops with relevant house & bass sounds of the present.
His bedroom Boiler Room set will have you headed to the sheets for anything but sleep. Check it out & serve. We caught up with Mike about his plans to DJ every continent in 2014, Aaliyah, & the cost to find out his secrets.
Walk for me this Saturday at the debut of new monthly at Brighton Music Hall: CLOVD with MikeQ with Boston acts BRRIO and Waldo going B2B (check out their mixes after the Q&A).
Gege: Hi MikeQ! You recently tweeted that you wish someone would pay you to write about the last 10 years of your existence in detail. How much of that would you like to share with us for free?
MikeQ: LOL ZERO, I would have to get extra juicy and reveal things so starting price is $70,000. lol
How would you describe the current state of Vogue Culture?
The current state of vogue culture, I would say, is stronger than ever, we have small issues within our own community but nothing we can’t conquer, not many people know but this culture influences a lot from dance to fashion and now music as well.
Tell us about the inspiration behind Q.W.E.E.N.B.E.A.T.? How was it hosting a Boiler Room at your studio?
Qween Beat started as just a name to put my music under, nothing official or serious, but then I started adding on people within the culture who had some type of musical ability or talent to offer and it then became a team or group of us that just work together and grow and learn stuff as well. After that it became a goal to have this as a Label out in the world and I can say that this is the year that this will be happening. LOOK OUT.
The Boiler Room set in my bedroom was freaking dope, I was honored to have Boiler Room (who has used me quite a bit) to want me to do the first Bedroom set and it was just cool to do that.
What it is it like being signed to eclectic label FadetoMind? How inspiring is it being able to perform & collaborate with peers like Kingdom, Rizzla, & Nguzunguzu?
MikeQ: Fade to Mind I don’t look at as being signed to, Fade To Mind is my family (Also Night Slugs and Qween Beat) but the people in all three of those labels on which I listed are amazing and some of the best people to work with and be friends and family with. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
What comes to attention when you think of your all-time favorite female performance artist? Do you have any specific memories or reasons as to why they standout?
My Favorite female artist will ALWAYS be Aaliyah, and aside from her music which I love my attachment with her was just her pureness in and about life. Of course you don’t know what people do behind closed doors but something about her was so angelic and it breaks my heart to know she is no longer with us but will forever be in my heart.
As per social media, you’ve got me curious as to which artists you listen to at 4 a.m.?
Lol, at 4am, when I’m home it all depends on the mood I’m in. I would def say at that time I’m either listening to my smoke tunes which include a lot of ’90s hip-hop and slow r&b stuff, or I could be having what I call a headphone party, this is when I’m smoking weed and while I’m supposed to be making music I throw on my headphones and shuffle the 800+ songs in my iPhone, this could take hours and becomes a “headphone party,” lol.
You’re based out of New Jersey; therefore you’re accustomed to a Northeast vibe. Have you been able to explore the city of Boston? Do you enjoy it so far?
I’ve been to Boston quite a few times, mostly deejaying Ballroom events and more recently other stuff, I can’t say that I’ve had much time to explore that city and it’s funny because I am definitely an explorer — but with Boston I’m usually just in and out. Always a different vibe up there though, can’t quite pinpoint it.
We’re over a month into the New Year; care to share any goals for 2014?
So far my goals for this year include debuting my label, conquering having deejayed on as many continents as possible and I’m just about done (meaning Africa and South America is on this list). Unfortunately I can’t DJ in Antarctica so I gotta find a way to maybe get a set up on some ice and ustream. Outside of that I just want to grow, be a better, DJ, a better producer and spread my sound.
>>>V.O.G.U.E. LIGHTNING ROUND<<<
#Voga: TERRIBLE
OMG: USHER
Grammy’s: KENDRICK SHOULD HAVE WON
Uber: THE BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO TAXI TRAVEL
Europe: MY LOVE, MY EVERYTHING.
CLOVD, FEATURING MIKEQ, BRRIO, WALDO :: Saturday, February 8 @ Brighton Music Hall, 158 Brighton Ave., Allston MA :: 10:15 pm, 21-plus, $10, 617.779.0140 :: advance tickets :: facebook event page
