Alexander deQwest is a Norwegian electronic artist. It’s difficult to know where to begin with an artist as complex and multifaceted, but after more than two decades in the record spinning business he stands out as a visionary in dance music, a true nonconformist within a blinkered scene. His musical roots and journey have been across many genres, but his sets mainly consist of contemporary sounds and the wandering heartbeat of 4/4’s most bold, valiant and versatile character; a bright, cohesive style that is inherently deQwest through and through. Best known for his pioneer work within Deep House, but his sets can travel from disco on one side to more techy sounds on the other -- even fusions of electrofied Soul and Jazz -– always full of surprises.
Growin up with live music rehearsals in his living room, he fell in love with music quite early. He first played violin for some years, then the he played around with the gitar and even some drum lessons. After seeing the movie Beat Street, mixing records became to coolest thing ever. Daily trips to record shops and record mixing in the evenings became a natural part of his life at an early age. In the tender age of 13 he made his first DJ performance.
After playing resident at a youth club for 2 years, he started his professional DJ career at Oslo clubs at the age of 15, playing for a 8-10 years older crowd. It took only 3 more years before “Little Alex” had gigs spreading all over the country and his own manager handling a full time schedule.
He got into house music and did his first underground party back in 1993. He also made his first appearance abroad (US) that year.
During the 90's he was living his dream, making people dance, traveling, living out of hotels and working full time with his music, doing two to five gigs per week. After being constant on the road for years non-stop he realized that he needed a break - and a clubbing rehab. He then started doing local parties on monthly basis.
From 2003 he got back into the loop with weekly gigs, started traveling again, and the recent years has been very busy with a peak of 150 gigs a year, with several residencies and a period of up to 5 gigs per week in parts of 2009/2010.
deQwest have been holding residencies in many legendary Oslo clubs such as Cosmopolitan, Rexx, Neon and GoldenRoom.
He has been doing shows at Jazz Festivals, performing on, and hosting several live radio shows. Further he has been chosen for gigs on the Nordic Music Awards, Oslo Live Festival, Oslo Fashion Week and events for leading music and lifestyle magazines amongst others.
It is also a great kept secret that he brought the first Ministry of Sound, Om Records and Studio 54 parties to Norway. Q is also behind concepts such as OsloAffair and Contemporary Voices.
He has performed all over Norway, from Miami and New York throughout London, to Marrakech and Eastern Europe. deQwest has made people dance in a various kind of gatherings from illegal warehouse parties in London to luxury venues like Nikki Beach.
After a really busy schedule the last couple of years he has decided to spend more time off-the-road, spent time in his studio and use more quality time with friends and family. He will limit his performance to only a few gigs a month in 2012.
Since his first performance back in 1989 he has always strived to achieve cultural enlightment with his music, and after over 20 years in the spiritual university of sounds Q might have come closer than ever. Deep, daring and brave, traveling ahead of hype.
