Today we’d like to introduce you to Quincy McCrary.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started singing at the age of seven by being accepted to an ever so small private school in Hollywood named after it’s founder ‘Bob Mitchell Boys Choir’. This opportunity led to singing on a number of blockbuster motion pictures in the early 90’s, ‘Hook’, ‘Home Alone’ and ‘What About Bob’ to name a few. Moving through High School, I continued singing multiple genres and excelled in classical and jazz vocals at Alexander Hamilton High School.
After High School, I helped start a band in LA named Burning Star. In our seven years of operation, the band became one of LA’s underground Hip Hop scenes’ main attractions, working with The Black Eyed Peas and backing up Kanye West in one of his first live performances ever.
By 2009 I hit the road with Mayer Hawthorne playing keyboards and singing backing vocals. Simultaneously during this time, I was apart of East LA band Quetzal, a Chicano(a) multi-national collective of musicians and activists that would go on to win a grammy in 2013 for our 2012 studio album ‘Imaginaries’. This was bittersweet to say the least, since the year before I lost my mother to pancreatic cancer.
In 2015, I continued as a touring musician, though this time, it would be with Unknown Mortal Orchestra for the album cycle of their 3rd studio abum ‘Multi Love’. 2017 I worked in California state prisons teaching vocals, keyboards and assisting inmates with song ideas. During the same year, I worked on Jack Whites’ latest solo album and was asked to join him on the corresponding tour in 2018.
Just before the tour kicked off, I had an idea to relocate to Atlanta in 2018 to get a fresh perspective outside of my usual Los Angeles surroundings… with the support of my wife and child, we made it happen.
2019 has given me the chance to finish a long-awaited project under my artist mono-cur Qemistry. My debut album ‘Cornerstone’ is available on all platforms via Spaceflight Records which I’m excited to share since most of it is based on personal experiences and evolving viewpoints.
Has it been a smooth road?
On one hand yes. Coming from a musical family helped to give me an early interest to music with vocal harmony being the heart of it. My father is a musician, vocalist and songwriter of the Gospel/R&B group ‘The McCrarys’, while my mother was a multi genre appreciator. This made growing up fun as there was a lot of music playing in the house from soul classics like Stevie Wonder & Michael Jackson to Brazilian artists like Maria Bethania, and Salsa legend and icon Ruban Blades. On the other hand, the 1980’s was a dark time for some American families that were effected by the good times and promises of the 70’s. Being directly effected by some unfortunate circumstances I gravitated toward low self-esteem and eventually alcohol dependency.
Thankfully I can say both are behind me due to wanting a better life, a solid life partner, wonderful family and friends.
Can you give our readers some background on your music?
My music is life experience. I used to not pay too much close attention to lyrics and then would wonder why my lyrics were so bad, though I’d like to say I’m a bit better now, I’m always looking for a better, clearer way of saying what I’ve seen, heard or dreamed of.
My first influence ever was Michael Jackson. Billie Jean absolutely gutted me first time I saw the video. Although I never quite had the agility and moves of MJ, his harmonies, melodies and hooks have always been carved in my brain since the first time I heard him. Stevie Wonder is the next one that just floored me and continues to do so… he’s not human. I mean he’s literally an angel acting human so he can taste our food here on earth while wowing us with his heavenly talents.
And then there’s Brazil. The music of this country makes me sick with love and appreciation. I love it so much I hate it because I can’t get enough, I have a tendency to indulge. I’m digressing.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I’ve heard that it is. I’ve been a stay home father since being off of the road. I’m still looking to get out a bit and meet the musicians that make this city bubble and buzz. What makes this city special being a new transplant, like all major cities in the US is it’s diversity and history. It’s greats and legends that come from this area will continue to make an impact on the world, owed to a special quality… it’s heart. There is a passion and drive in this city that is so strong, and it’s foundation is love. Love for what you do, love for family and friends, and love for keepin’ it movin’. Atlanta’s influence in Hip-Hop is something that will go down in history, while pushing boundaries and imaginations outside of their comfort zones and into the future.
Pricing:
- $500/keyboard tracks
- $500/vocal track
- $250/overdub
Contact Info:
- Website: qemistrymusik.com
- Email: qemistrymusik@gmail.com
- Instagram:@qemistrymusik
- Facebook: qemistrymusik
Image Credit:
Alex Elena & David Swanson
Suggest a story: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
