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Q Burns Abstract Message: Why Moby Could Save US Club Culture

Author: Jonty Adderley
Friday, May 31, 2002
With ten years behind him as one of America's most eclectic producers of electronic music, Michael 'Q Burns Abstract Message' Donaldson is well qualified to talk about Moby. Similarly single minded and (pre-Play) similarly underground, he not only shares Moby's enthusiasm but his perceptive approach to the bigger clubland picture.

"I really like the fact that he's outspoken and doesn't hold back in his opinions, we need a lot more of that." says Michael.

"I don't think the US dance scene would be in the predicament it's in, as far as the government cracking down is concerned, if there were a lot more artists like Moby. I'm totally for what he's doing."

Working out of Orlando, Florida, "right in the middle, close enough to the sea to visit and far enough away to avoid the hurricanes," his Q Burns persona has brought him a long term Astralwerks deal though lacking Moby's quirks, he's never faced equivalent vilification. Instead, he's developed a worldwide career as a credible DJ and producer, spinning house, funk and disco, more often than not made by himself. Also a prolific remixer, he's just compiled a new album of other people's versions of him, Re-Routed, which is out now on his own label 8th Dimension. Skrufff's Jonty Adderley asked the questions.


Skrufff: Although Re-Routed is a collection of remixes, it sounds very much like an artist, themed album, how much direction did you have in the whole thing-

Q Burns Abstract Message: "I feel the same way, though what's strange is that I didn't direct any of them, that's just the way it worked out. I think it's because I kept the project within a circle of friends and people I'm on contact with and I think all of us work on a mutual vibe. I selected every remixer myself, there wasn't a record company putting it together and I didn't even think about whether it would come out cohesive."

Skrufff: Was there always a plan to do a remix album-

Q Burns Abstract Message: "There was actually a plan because when I worked on the Invisible Airlines album I always thought it was good for home listening but I wanted some tracks that I could play in clubs. I wasn't really trying to make a club record with Invisible Airlines. I ended up doing most of these remixes on trade (ie reciprocal remixes rather than paying) to keep it on that friendly vibe. Not all the remixes have ended up as definite club mixes, but they've all showcased difference parts of the songs and the song-writing."

Skrufff: This Time's S25 mix sounds remarkably like Yello…

Q Burns Abstract Message: "S25 is actually a reference to Yello's Section 25, we were listening to Looking From a Hilltop before we did that mix."

Skrufff: England's being swamped with 80s style electro dance music, are you getting caught up in that whole 80s revival scene-

Q Burns Abstract Message: "Not too much, the 80s has certainly influenced me because that's when I was a teenager. Art Of Noise and New Order were both huge influences on what I do but then again, I'm also always trying to look forward not so much for my audience but for me, since I get bored so easily. If something comes out like the S25 mix that sounds a little retro, then I also have no problems with that as long as it works. I must say though, that my favourite party at this year's Winter Music Conference was the Gigolo Records party, with DJ Hell."

Skrufff: You look a little electroclash style on your latest press shot-

Q Burns Abstract Message: "Do I- Well I'm not one of those shaved head techno DJs. The photo was actually just from a gig, it wasn't even posed. Somebody emailed it to me, we loved it so much we just ended up using it."

Skrufff: Carl Cox recently said that he felt when journalists praised remixes of his tracks, they were somehow criticising him..

Q Burns Abstract Message: "He probably should have people do remixes for him if he's going to take it that way. Obviously the history of remixing has changed a lot from being<
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