- Words Solly Warner
Toronto-based artist, Casey MQ, picks 10Trax that particularly resonate with him.
With a background in classical music together with a love of pop and electronic music, Casey offers an intertwining of unique sounds. The multi-talented artist has scored films, remixed and produced for other artists like Oklou, Christine and The Queens, Suicideyear and Jeremy Dutcher but now looks to firmly cement himself as one of the next generation pop and electronic artists to look out for.
Casey MQ has also co-founded the virtual queer party “Club Quarantine” during the peak of the pandemic, creating a vital safe space for the queer community as he hosted the likes of Charli XCX, Lady Gaga, Pabllo Vitta and Caroline Polacheck.
Casey MQ’s debut album “babycasey” is his childhood boyband fantasy come to life, with the lead track “Candyboy” acting as the heart of the record, exploring celebrity fandom, narcissistic desire and childhood dreams. With “Candyboy”, Casey states he “wanted to hold space for a love that you can feel warm and safe in, one that reflects the sense of security a child needs while they face the world that they are discovering. To hold, and to be held, that’s how I see the song.” The track is paired with the video directed by Saradibiza and Marylou Mayniel AKA oklou, which visually captures the themes of the album.
Now, Casey MQ has picked 10Trax for Notion that come from artists who particularly excite him.
"anything" by Adrianne Lenker
"This song resonates so hard. I love songs that feel completely personal and filled with details that when you listen, you are pulled into that reality. You feel like you are inside of it. That’s what this song does for me".
"Telling Me Lies" by Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt & Emmylou Harris
"It’s difficult to pick one song in particular but this whole album is a new discovery for me that I adore. Hearing the fullness in those lyrics with three part harmonies is just stunning and powerful".
"eyesore" by glaive
"I love glaive’s newest release. The whole project is great. This song in particular feels like the ending of a movie where the bully became best friends with the main character. The camera pulls out of the school as we start to look at the entire neighbourhood and then the sky :))))"
"galore" by Oklou
"I know I co-produced this song but it’s one of those songs I can listen to over and over and never get enough. It’s patient and still completely fulfilled. I feel relaxed when I listen to this".
"Stay Alive" by Mustafa
"I can not wait for this album!!! If this is published after the album has been released you can guarantee that I will have this on repeat".
"nonchalant" by d0llywood1
https://soundcloud.com/sanriorose/nonchalant"I love how this song just keeps unfolding as it progresses. It’s short and yet so many layers develop and become so infectious as it plays through".
"Lux Aurumque" by Eric Whitacre
"What can i even say about Eric Whitacre………………………….. so good".
"One Summer’s Day" by Joe Hisaishi
"I have been learning this song on the piano and it’s been so nice to play to myself. Brings me so much joy".
"Slow Burn" by Kacey Musgraves
"Okay - I haven’t played this song a lot this year but I listened to it yesterday and was overwhelmingly reminded how much I love the song and can sing every word. ‘Born in a hurry, always late, haven’t been early since ’88’ WOW".
"Swelling" by Alexei Orechin
"I was thinking about Boards of Canada next and then it reminded me of how i was introduced to Boards of Canada through my good friend Alexei Orechin. He is about to release his album which is an absolute gem. The solemn feeling it gives me is something I feel deeply in his music".