Who is Quaina Parks? – The 30 second intro.
I’m Quiana Parks — a DJ and visual artist.
How would most people know you?
I’d say some people know me from my art and some people know me for DJing. It depends on what space I am in.
Watch Quiana here, although it’s a few years old this is a big set on Boiler Room)
Please list your relevant links (Social accounts, Mixcloud, gigs etc and a link to a mix)
Instagram – Follow Quiana Parks on Insta.
https://www.quianaparks.com/ – The official Quiana Parks website
Where are you based?
I am based in Brooklyn, NY
What is your home DJ tech set up currently?
My current home setup is two technics 1200s and a Pioneer S9.
How does your DJ tech enable you to enhance your performances in creative ways?
Using Serato, I incorporate loops and live blends that let me remix on the fly and keep sets feeling fresh.
How do you prepare for a DJ set?
I’ve used Serato since day one because it’s been the industry standard for 25 years as it’s reliable, versatile, and stays innovative. I use it to create crates, I call them my little blueprints. Sometimes I will create a blend using Serato studio or use tools like Flip so I can move faster during my sets.
What do you most often play out on these days?
Out on gigs, I lean toward the Pioneer CDJs and A9 or S11, depending on the gig.
What DJ tech did you use in your early days? (We’d love to see some photos!)
I started on Technics 1200s, spinning vinyl with a Rane 57.
What’s on the tech shopping list?
Pioneer CDJ-3000s and an A9. (Ed – We are seeing this a lot!!)
What’s been your favourite ever gig?
This is hard to answer. It depends on the day. Recently, I’d say Mickalene Thomas’s Art Party a few months ago. Or The Lay Out Juneteenth 2020.
Throughout your career is there a piece of equipment that you have just never got on with?
I never quite clicked with Traktor. I always found Serato more intuitive for my style.
From a DJing point of view what three things do you always take to a gig apart from USB and headphones obviously!
Hmmm, outside of my laptop… incense and my crystals when I remember. I gotta protect my energy. (Ed – We can think of plenty of DJs that might benefit from relaxing a little..)
Can you talk us through your productions? (If any)
I’m currently working on a few soundscape projects that merge my visual art with my music, so more on that soon.
If you still have vinyl at home, how much?
Yes, I have a small collection of about 250.
Outside of DJing and production, what tech do you use at home?
I love the meta-verse so I use my Oculus a lot.
Can you let us know three apps that are essential to you?
Procreate, Spotify and Tiktok – (Ed – We checked out https://procreate.com/ on Quiana’s advice – It’s pretty cool)
What non-music related product can’t you live without?
My iPhone mini. They don’t make them anymore and it hurts me. I can’t stand large phones lol.
Any DJs or producers that we should watch out for?
BRLLNT and AQUTIE
Book recommendations?
The Artist Way by Julia Cameron and Atomic Habits by James Clear
Thanks to Quaina for taking time out of her busy schedule to do this interview with DJWORX. We always ask our interviewees what sports team they support – Quaina didn’t have a team, but here’s a great shot of her on stage at the Brooklyn Nets (although they are losing to the Bulls).
