Queency Purple Diamonds Interview

Perth-based singer-songwriter Queency, aka Quentin Thony, is back bustling with bold, suave and sinfully smooth retro pop tinged with modernity, with a brand new single Purple Diamonds officially out today. A delectable sneak peek into Queency's impending new EP of the same name set to drop on Thursday November 24, Purple Diamonds is pure sonic joy that'll bubble the soul and bewitch the ears with polished and effortless ease.

Following on from Queency's previous 2022 single Forbidden Fruit, Purple Diamonds is an unapologetic ode to 80s pop, with nods to the opulent essence of Prince, alongside hues of Whitney Houston and a sprinkle of Michael Jackson evident throughout the infectious track. Written entirely by Queency and workshopped with producer Mason Velios and Robbie Chambers, Purple Diamonds was initially recorded live with Queency's band at the time, before a new arrangement was conjured by Ethan French. Resulting in an effervescent retro pop jam that also oozes with modern wiles, Purple Diamonds also ultimately took some personal inspiration from Queency's own life to achieve the sensual and buoyant end result, as Queency explains, "Purple Diamonds is a metaphor for what you have most precious to give to someone you find irresistibly attractive. You know, when they're just your type and the chemistry is right, you just wanna give that person purple diamonds all night! This song is about feeling so in tune with your partner that you're ready to truly express yourself in the intimacy you have built and may even fall if you keep entertaining this situation. It's about being vulnerable yet insatiable! Look, let's stop sugar coating: it's a booty song! And surprise, surprise, I wrote it as I was falling in love with my partner, so he's definitely inspired it. It's 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! And I like it extra spicy - so we turned the heat all the way up!".

Also teaming up with Tristan Sturmer from Sumo Studios for the overarching Purple Diamonds EP, as well as producers Brian Kruger (AKA Kruger James) and Ethan French, mixing by Brian Kruger and mastering by Adrian Sardi, the ultimate EP broadens the lustier, lush musical flair witnessed on the brand new title track, with the EP expanding out to embrace recurring themes of relationships of all kinds, and navigating each unique and individual connection. From the swooning and smooth as hell crooning of opening track, and previously released single, Forbidden Fruit to bubbling jaunt (I Wished On A Star), hot and spicy soul (Too Late) and heart-rending retro ballads (When Daddy Left), Purple Diamonds is not only as polished and colourfully engaging as its glistening namesake; the EP ultimately also showcases gripping intimacy and optimism, as well as significant catharsis for Queency himself. "The recurring theme throughout the EP is relationships," reveals Queency of the upcoming EP. "Whether in love, lust, friendship, family, or even solitude, navigating relationships with others and the relationship you have with yourself, is not always straightforward. Writing these songs was my way of reaching catharsis in times of anger, sadness, grief, hope and joy. I'm one of these people who live their emotions intensely and sometimes the only way to process them is to turn these emotions into something productive and tangible. That's what I've done with this EP."

A self-proclaimed "stage whore", Queency's live performance alongside his delectable and increasingly signature take on funky, soulful pop and modern R&B has seen the charismatic singer-songwriter draw comparisons to the likes of Ari Lennox, Daniel Caesar, Erykah Badu and Charlie Puth throughout his career. An artist inherently focused on crafting memorable melodies and punchy hooks, Queency's wit, honeyed multi-octave vocals and dynamic dance moves has also seen him increasingly turn ears and heads, with a nomination in 2021 for a Western Australian Music Award alongside an ever-growing abundance of sonic material. First discovering his musical obsession with gusto at the age of five hearing the Spice Girls on the radio, while also singing along to Stevie Wonder as a child, it would be Prince and Whitney Houston, Queency's ultimate biggest musical influences, that cemented the Réunion Island born artist's eventual creative pathway. Already generating buzz with a string of singles, and live performances seared into the minds of fans in Western Australia, the Queency story is truly only just unfolding, with the slick, sleek and sexy debut EP Purple Diamonds ready to dazzle and catapult Queency to even greater heights in late 2022.

For now, fans can salivate over the impending EP's title track, with Purple Diamonds firmly flaunting Queency's relatability, technicality and showmanship in one extremely sleek package. "Purple Diamonds is my precious baby, so I'm genuinely overjoyed to finally be able to put it out in the world," Queency concludes of his brand new single finally releasing into the world today. "And I'm excited AF to release the EP soon. This EP is my very first body of work and I've poured my soul, sweat and tears in it, so I cannot wait to put it out there!". 

Purple Diamonds is out today, Thursday October 27.

The Purple Diamonds EP is out Thursday November 24.

Interview with Queency

How would you describe your music?

Queency: I would say that my music would fall under rnb/soul/pop genres. But never say never! It's about what I'm feeling at the moment. But mostly my music is bold, suave, soulful, and unapologetic!

Can you tell us about your new single Purple Diamonds?

Queency: It's 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! And I like it extra spicy. So we turned the heat all the way up! It is also my tribute to the incredible Prince.

What inspired Purple Diamonds?

Queency: Purple Diamonds is a metaphor for what you have most precious to give to someone you find irresistibly attractive. You know, when they're just your type and the chemistry is right, you just wanna give that person purple diamonds all night! This song is about feeling so in tune with your partner that you're ready to truly express yourself in the intimacy you have built and may even fall if you keep entertaining this situation. It's about being vulnerable yet insatiable! Look, let's stop sugar coating: it's a booty song! And surprise, surprise, I wrote it as I was falling in love with my partner, so he's definitely inspired it.

Which is your favourite song to perform live and why?

Queency: "When Daddy Left" because it is the moment of my set where I genuinely connect with the audience, as I'm showing a vulnerable side of myself but still end on huge vocals. Singing that song is also very cathartic to me. 

If you could have anyone, in the world, attend a show, who would it be?

Queency: My mum! She still has not been able to attend a live Queency show due to Miss Rona throwing a 3 year long fit.

What motivates you most when writing music?

Queency: It really depends on what I'm going through at the moment. I write songs about lived experiences, intense emotions that I need to let out. The recurring theme throughout the EP is relationships. Whether in love, lust, friendship, family, or even solitude, navigating relationships with others and the relationship you have with yourself, is not always straightforward. Writing these songs was my way of reaching catharsis in times of anger, sadness, grief, hope and joy. I'm one of these people who live their emotions intensely and sometimes the only way to process them is to turn these emotions into something productive and tangible. 

Which music/artists are you currently listening to?

Queency: I've been on a solid Beyonce binge since Renaissance dropped. But I've also been listening to a lot of Jasmine Sullivan, Daniel Caesar, Ari Lennox and PJ Morton lately.

What or who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

Queency: The Spice Girls! Haha! I have a very clear childhood memory of watching the music video of "Wannabe" by the Spice Girls and telling myself, "That's what I wanna do" and that feeling never went away! So here I am, 20 years later.

If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

Queency: Kira Puru. I just love her style and she can write the living hell out of a hook! 

What is the biggest challenge you have faced along the way to your musical success?

Queency: I wouldn't call myself successful musically. Not yet haha. But I guess the biggest challenge in pursuing a career as an independent musician, is the cost associated with music. I do not have a label to front the original costs of producing, recording, image, and marketing. So I have a daytime job which allows me to live my passion.

What has been your favourite part of becoming a music artist?

Queency: Performing! I'm an absolute stagewhore! Nothing beats the stage and I'll never be able to get enough of it!

What's next, for you?

Queency: Releasing more music! I am sitting on a bunch of songs I can't wait to share with everyone! :)

Can you share your socials? (links please)

FB: www.facebook.com/queencymusic

Insta: @queencymusic