MF Quinn releases his debut EP with Bade Side: three pure quality, vocal-led tech house cuts that announce his arrival in style.
MF Quinn breathes new life into the golden era of tech house with his productions, seamlessly merging classic grooves with a contemporary edge. His tracks are a masterful blend of sharp piano stabs, deep tech-inspired bass lines, and captivating vocal hooks that pay homage to the genre’s roots while creating a sound that is fresh and relevant today.
In the studio, Quinn is a true craftsman, meticulously shaping beats that resonate with both the body and the soul, demonstrating that the essence of tech house is indeed timeless.
Bad Side EP showcases MF Quinn’s meticulous production, combining solid grooves and hard-hitting beats with each track offering a blend of crisp percussion, deep basslines, and engaging vocal hooks.
How do you approach blending classic tech house grooves with modern elements in your productions?
I like starting with integrating classic rhythms and grooves, often using drum tops or percussion samples. I then add contemporary sounds and production techniques, like using a modern sub bass and FabFilter plugins for mixing. This involves blending traditional drum patterns and basslines with modern synths and effects, ensuring that while the tracks feel familiar, they also resonate with today’s club-goers.
Can you describe your creative process when sculpting beats in the studio?
My creative process starts with a concept or vibe I want to explore. Usually, I begin with the kick and bass to form a solid foundation for the track. From there, I lay down a basic groove and start layering elements around it to create a drop section. I use Ableton Live, which offers flexibility in manipulating loops and samples, tweaking them until the beat feels just right. It’s a mix of intuition and experimentation. Sometimes an Ableton project ends up in an idea folder rather than becoming a finished track.
What role do vocal hooks play in your tracks, and how do you select or create them to achieve the desired effect?
Vocal hooks are essential in my tracks as they provide an emotional core and can be the element that listeners remember most. I start early in the track formation to get the key of the song and establish the foundation, similar to a 3-4 member band. The key is to ensure that the hook enhances the track’s vibe without overpowering the other elements.
How do you ensure that your music resonates with both long-time tech house fans and new listeners?
To appeal to both long standing fans and newcomers, I focus on the emotional and physical impact of my music. I aim for a sound that feels both nostalgic and fresh, often using simple house piano or organ loops while ensuring the tracks have enough complexity and modern mixing techniques to appeal to connoisseurs while remaining accessible to those just discovering tech house.
What are some key influences from tech house’s golden era that you aim to revive in your music?
Artists like Eddie Richards and Carl Cox from the golden era of tech house inspire my music. Their innovative use of rhythm and technology in the late ’90s and early 2000s set a high bar. I aim to revive that spirit of innovation, blending it with new technologies and sounds available today. I also find inspiration in more recent tech house records from labels like Tool Room that capture that classic sound in a modern way.
What can listeners expect from your debut EP “Bad Side” in terms of sound and themes?
‘Bad Side’ is a blend of deep groovy basslines, catchy piano rhythms, and captivating vocal hooks. The EP, featuring tracks ‘Bad Side,’ ‘Hypnotic,’ and ‘Desire,’ explores themes of nightlife energy and introspection. It provides a soundtrack that’s both simple yet thought-provoking, suitable for the dance floor or for listening through your headphones at work or on the go.
How does “Bad Side” represent your evolution as an artist and your vision for the future of tech house?
‘Bad Side’ represents both a culmination of my experiences in music production and a stepping stone towards future explorations in house music. It encapsulates my growth in improving my craft and sets the stage for where I want to take my sound next. My vision is to showcase the origins of house music while adding a modern touch, blending classic elements with contemporary production techniques.
What motivated you to finally release your first EP, and what does this milestone mean to you?
Releasing ‘Bad Side’ marks a significant milestone—it’s about putting a stamp on my journey so far and sharing my passion with the world. This EP is a manifestation of years of learning, experimenting, and honing my skills. It’s incredibly meaningful to finally share a piece of myself with the music community. Coming out of the COVID pandemic, I wanted to focus on my passion for making music and celebrate the gift of life.
What challenges have you faced in breaking into the music world, and how have you overcome them?
The biggest challenge has been finding my main sound amidst a sea of diverse music. It’s easy to get lost and chase different sounds and techniques. Navigating the music industry can be challenging, from gaining visibility among talented artists to managing the business side of music. I’ve focused on building genuine connections within the community and continuously improving my production skills to create music that stands out.
What are your future plans and goals as you embark on your journey in the electronic music scene?
Looking ahead, I plan to continue evolving my sound, release more tracks, collaborate with other artists, and perform live. I have a couple of singles I’m finishing up that I plan to release after this EP. Ultimately, my goal is to put music out into the world that people can enjoy, nod their heads to, and dance the night away.