Don Q brings old-school style to the mix
He's been spinning out fat beats and tearing up clubs for more than two decades, and it's clear after a few minutes DJ Don Q is happy to be bringing it to Australia.
Hailing from Detroit, Don Q is far from the hardened DJ some may expect. If anything, it's clear he simply loves his music, loves his career and is thankful for it all.
And he’s also very proud to be from "the D".
"That’s what we call it," he says.
"It can be a little rough but I love it."
Only moments before, his promoter had been explaining how they had not been able to make his last gig on the Sunshine Coast due to the weather.
"It's been a good day. I can't say much for the start of the tour…" he trails off, laughing at the situation.
"But I'll be back again," he continues, "I love Australia, this is my second time here."
It was just last year Don Q journeyed to the Far North in his role as official DJ to D12, to play at Brothers Leagues Club.
"That was nice, great people," he says, reminiscing.
While this tour is his first very own one in our country, Don Q says there's no real preference to go solo or with D12.
"I love being with the fellas, it's the different personalities and the jokes are never-ending," he explains.
"But when I'm alone it flows the way I want it to go. I could flip a coin."
Sounding somewhat of an old school perfectionist, Don Q says he became a founder of Conglomerate DJs, a group of high-profile DJs from across the US and Toronto (in Canada), to "break new music to the public and give them true DJs".
"Some DJs these days – it's just the press of a button. This is for the real art of scratching and mixing," he says of the 40 or so Conglomerate members.
"It's kinda like the who's who – the elite crew."
When queried on how long he'd been mixing, there's a laugh, pause, and then "forever".
"My goodness – at least 20 years," he says.
And it's no wonder – it would take a bit of time for anyone to release more than 50 mix-tapes and compilations, host their own show on Detroit's biggest radio station WJLB and be a favourite on the nightclub circuit.
"It's been my dream come true. My friends say to me 'you always wanted to do this' and here I am," he says.
"It's not even a career, it's a dream. It's one big party with great music and great people."
The DJ says he only really has one free day to spend up here before flying back to the States, but as he'll be back there's little regret.
He expresses more concern for the fact that he may miss the biggest US sporting event of the year – the Superbowl – to be here.
"We were here last year the same time. I was watching it at 10am. It just wasn't the same! Back home we've got sandwiches, chicken wings, beer and spirits… I'd just gotten up and had my breakfast!" he says.
His pick last year – the Giants – took out the Superbowl, and this year he hopes the same fortune will befall the Baltimore Ravens.
"It's (linebacker) Ray Lewis – I just want to see him do it one last time," he explains.
Don says he'll be back home for a regular show, followed by a road strip with D12's Kuniva.
He'll also be lamenting the lack of sunshine, with Detroit's winter being snowy and cold.
"It's not hard for me physically, but it is mentally," he says.
"It's freezing and I’ll have to get out that big parka – it's heart-wrenching."
As for what we can expect between himself and Bam on the big weekend…
"I'm not sure but I'm ready, I'm up for anything! I'm ready to tag team."
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Bringing the beats: DJ Don Q knows how to entertain a crowd.



















