Conversations with Qil
Today we’d like to introduce you to Qil.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
One of my earliest memories is being sick in a hospital with Pneumonia and my Grandmother singing old songs to me. I think her voice helped save me. I started writing songs in the 2nd grade. I joined a garage band playing drums and then bass when I was 15. I’ve always had an ear for music and remember TV show themes and commercial jingles from the ’70s ’til now. This informs my diverse musical palette. I love everything from classical to deep house. I most recently wrote a song for dance music diva ‘Crystal Waters’ called ‘United in Dance,’ which reached #2 on the BILLBOARD Dance Charts.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Struggles? Being told you can’t sing and don’t have a good voice by your music teacher in 3rd grade. Losing your guitar player and best friend in a freak truck accident (truck surfing) when I had a hot band in the ’90s was difficult. One of the low points was when Hurricane Wilma completely obliterated our recording studio.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I love songwriting, from the top-line melodies that you can’t forget to the groove that moves you and beat that your feet can’t resist. I also love performing. I was in a band that contained three of the four musicians that ended up being ‘Marilyn Manson.’ I have always loved the bass frequencies and bass register in music. I love holding down the groove in a song – whether it is indie rock or a dance track. I love pulling musical elements from the past and updating them, weaving them into a new sound that works in the now. I’m known for writing the hook, melody and lyrics for ‘United in Dance’ by Crystal Waters. Fast forward to today and I’m in a new group with DJ Gianni Petrarca. We have a new release coming out soon on a major label with an amazing singer with the voice of an angel named Maria Lynn.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Big shift in music is going to be the evolution from just ‘songs’ to immersive performances that combine song and imagery into new multi-dimensional creations. Another change will involve how musicians are paid for their creative works. Big companies make all the money and make it difficult for performers and writers to survive. Hopefully, this is beginning to change. NFT’s may make it through to the mainstream as well, which would allow a new revenue stream for musicians.
Contact Info:
- Email: qil@qilmusic.com
- Website: www.QilMusic.com
- Instagram: QilMusic
- Facebook: fb.com/qilbass
- SoundCloud: www.soundcloud.com/qilmusic