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What's in your crate?: Disco, House, Techno

How would you best describe your industry role?: DJ, Artist, Music Junkie

Please tell us about yourself.: In the realm of dance music, there are few producers that thrive on blurring the boundary between eclectic experimenter and populist ass-shaker as much as Q-Burns Abstract Message. Equally comfortable covering Krautrock legends Faust or dropping his favorite chunky house grooves into the mix, Q-BAM—known to his parents as Michael Donaldson—is indeed the rare auteur. Whether globe-trotting as a DJ, co-running the Eighth Dimension Records label, remixing artists like Rabbit in the Moon, Fila Brazillia and Lawrence Welk, or recording his own original productions, Donaldson is all about the coaxing the maximum soul out of the machine.

Based in Orlando since the early-’90s, the former record shop owner and college radio DJ has spent the past two decades developing a sound that is obsessively devoted to the funk. His animated, vodka-soaked DJ sets have won audiences for the well-traveled Donaldson from San Francisco to (literally) Siberia, and landed him primo opening slots for GusGus, Chemical Brothers and Meat Beat Manifesto.

However, it’s his playful rhythms, surprising melodic themes and not-so-surprising Eno-esque textures that demand attention. An accomplished indie musician prior to releasing his first single as Q-BAM—the breakbeat noir of “141 Revenge Street” in 1995—Donaldson is first and foremost a songwriter, albeit one that is just as enamored with the sheer power of the groove.

With a trusty Roland Juno 106 synth at his side, Q-BAM released three full-length albums via the respected electronic label Astralwerks, including Invisible Airline which featured several collaborations with vocalist Lisa Shaw. He has recorded numerous singles for house-centric imprints such as Brique Rouge, Slip N’ Slide, NRK and of course, Eighth Dimension. Q-BAM was also one of the talented producers on alt-country icon Jim White’s 2001 Luaka Bop release No Such Place. The album cast White’s stark vocals in a wasteland of dusty beats and ghostly slide guitars, with Donaldson’s tracks providing some of its most intoxicating moments.

Though his “endless summer” schedule—more than 100 DJ dates annually—and ongoing production projects would seemingly exhaust a mere mortal, Q-BAM rather enjoys this 120-bpm soundtrack. Accordingly, Donaldson and fellow Orlando producer/DJ Atnarko recently launched the vinyl-only label EIGHT-TRACKS, dedicated to releasing “strange sounds that you can dance to,” says Q-BAM himself. Additionally, house imprint Agave Records has tapped Donaldson to throw down a mix CD titled Agave Nectar Vol. 1, now available in fine records shops worldwide..

As if there wasn’t already enough deliciously warm and gooey queso already piled high on his plate, Q-BAM is also hard at work recording his fourth album, due out in 2008.

Do you have an Official Website?: http://www.q-burnsabstractmessage.com

Myspace or Facebook?: http://www.myspace.com/qburnsabstractmessage

Q-Burns Abstract Message On Beatport

Comment Wall (5 comments)

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At 6:17am on November 4, 2008, DJ Courtney K said…: I'm SO glad you got the memo! John is a GREAT messenger, and all i have to say is WOOOOOO!!!

We miss you in Gainesville, when can you come back?!

We do a LIVE show here on Fridays!

Check us out "On-Demand"

Welcome to YourCrate!!!

At 7:34pm on August 24, 2008, knozark said…: love your stuff. especially new patterns. used to play the hell out of that one.

At 6:32pm on August 1, 2008, DjJuliaMarie said…: it's a shame you never asked me if i'd stay....always have that song playing in my head when i see ur name. Still one of my favs. xoxo

At 9:39am on July 11, 2008, Edson C. said…: Q-Burns,
Just some feedback on your crate...

"This Time" is soo soooooooooo sexy.
"Idioteque" is juuust a touch daft punkish and im really diggin the vibe! My initial thought was that it may be a bit too tech house for my sets but it grew VERY nicely on me!
"You Are My Battle Star" great production on the jacob london mix, but a lil bit to minimal for my typical crowd.
"You Are My Battle Star" ManaLuxe mix, another very very sexy chillhouse production like This Time!

If at all possible I'd greatly appreciate promo digital copies of Idioteque & This Time so I can drop them during this Sundays live stream from Science Club in Washington, DC!

At 1:41pm on July 10, 2008, Edson C. said…: Q, GREAT job settin up the profile ! ! ! ! I like quick starters like yourself. Did you know you could literally drag things around on your page to reorganize em? =) So like if your anted your beatport store up top or your crate top center for example (what i prefer myself). Anyways thanks in advance for helping spread the word and I look forward to some feedback on the site and some hot tracks in your crate!

e