RQM is a writer, MC, label manager originally from New York but currently living in Berlin. His vocals have featured on tracks by Jahcoozi, Stereotyp, Milanese, Lazer Sword, Oliver $ and Mochipet, and Mary Anne Hobbs has even asked him to record the intro teaser to her cult Radio 1 show.

RQM tells us about the forthcoming Colours Fade release on his new Baby Sumo label and why it's more than just an EP...

The EP is categorized as "step / bass / hip hop"; however each remix explores a slightly different style. Talk us through it...
I called it step because it sort of leans in that direction, but it's hardly tailored to any genre release. I'm enjoying how journalists attempt to describe the release because there really isn't anything like it out there. One brother said it's like seeing "a tribal dance on another planet, describing music is sort of pointless."

The release is about the implicit self destruction of two people in love pushing themselves to the limit. It seems to have a narrative...
Even though I make what people would classify as some form of electronic music I see myself as a soul musician. With every song I try to paint a vivid emotionally charged picture and it's true, I often use a story to transport the mood I'm in.

Both tunes consider this storyline approach but are portrayed differently. Is this easily understood by the listener?
My songs usually last around four minutes, but they demand attention. It's all in there, I'm not encrypting too much, but you have to really listen to get it all. I don't make fast food music. I figure if there are people out there who have the time to chew through Radiohead type lyrics or who like movies such as 21 Grams they'll get it. I'd encourage people to listen to the release and to take the time to absorb it because the magic is in the details and in the storyline.

You collaborated with French street artist Remed for the release. Tell us about this...
Remed is one of my favourite street artists. The brother is more than just a street artist, he's a proper painter. What I love about his work is that he injects heavy emotion into his pieces. I wanted to do something unique for this release so I asked him to interpret the Colours Fade theme. He ended up making a painting about the life span of a relationship on 84 7" records – a jigsaw puzzle for vinyl junkies. Carhartt then stepped in and produced a Remed Colours Fade t-shirt for us so we ended up with these ultra limited edition sets of artwork vinyl and t-shirts. A few are still available at HHV.de

How has the EP been received so far?
The response has been phenomenal. Mary Anne Hobbs played one of the tunes on her show and the blogs and magazines are chewing on the material on a daily basis. Considering that I'm handling the label on my lonesome and the budget is hella slim I couldn't have asked for more. Well, a few video clips would have been nice, but that's it.

Words: James Barclay
Photography: Susana Gellida

 

You can download the five-track EP here for free and if you like it then you can buy the 320kbps versions of the tracks here.

 

 

 

 

• RQM

Related Links:

• Mary Anne Hobbs Joins XFM
• Mary Anne Hobbs Leaves Radio 1
• New Mary Anne Hobbs Compilation
• The Usual Questions: Mary Anne Hobbs
• Dubstep Warz Uploaded To Mixcloud

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