Q the trumpet on relaxing afternoons, working with Crush + why he considers the trumpet his 'best friend'
The trumpeter, singer and rapper opens up about his new album 'Christmas Afternoon' + how he hopes to merge his love of jazz into his music
Welcome to Bunni Pop extras, a segment on this newsletter that will introduce readers to rising artists that should be added to your playlists. This week, I’m very excited to share an interview with trumpeter and singer-songwriter Q the trumpet!
(Photo courtesy of OFF THE RECORD)
While the festive season is already behind us, the snowy days and cold temperatures of the winter marks a special time for musician Q the trumpet.
After all, the season coincides with two important days in his life: Christmas and his upcoming birthday on January 28th. That’s exactly why the South Korean singer, rapper and trumpeter decided to release a new album called Christmas Afternoon this past December.
The seven-track album is a mix of jazz, pop and R&B, paired with instrumental tracks filled with piano keys and the gorgeous brassy tones of the trumpet. Q the trumpet also sings in a few tracks on the album, such as the joyful title song ‘Sleighbells are ringing outside the door.’
Sure, the album’s meant to be listened to during the Christmas season. But who says holiday music can’t be year-round? The project’s upbeat and relaxing nature can easily be played any other time — especially if you’re cozying up at home during a snowy day.
“The afternoon was special because all the songs were inspired in the afternoon,” Q the trumpet tells Bunni Pop about his album’s title over Zoom through an interpreter.
One such song composed in the middle of the day was ‘Beer Afternoon,’ which was inspired after a relaxing moment talking and chilling with his good friends.
Born Park Joonkyu, Q the trumpet can often be seen performing in live bands with accomplished names like Crush and Paul Kim. But outside of supporting such big acts, Q the trumpet says he has dreams of his own.
“I want to make many [songs] and release them. And second, I want to travel [and play] in other places like festivals and small jazz clubs,” he said of his goals in 2024.
Q the trumpet’s love of music began in middle school when he took part in an orchestra playing the saxophone. But eventually, his teacher handed him a trumpet to try instead. It was that moment that started the musician’s lifelong love of the instrument, which he calls one of his “best friends.”
“I liked the trumpet better than studying,” he joked.
When asked why the trumpet is so special to him, he brings up the saying “it’s all on me.”
“I think the trumpet is something that you have to do well,” he said. “The trumpet is all on me, so when I want to do better, I have to do better with the trumpet.”
(Photo courtesy of OFF THE RECORD)
In 2021, Q the trumpet won the Vans Musicians Wanted Competition, which helped him realize that he could take his musical career more seriously. The prize opened doors for him, such as creating his debut album Mood Washing in 2022 — something he describes as one of the most emotionally challenging projects of his life.
Mood Washing has Q the trumpet exploring feelings of happiness and sadness, and how the two emotions coexist with one another.
“Emotions cannot just be one [thing]. When there is happiness, there is sadness at the same time,” he said. “It’s a flow.”
One particular track on Mood Washing that captures those feelings is ‘Hi, Anxiety’ which was written during a period of “suffering.” The song captures the feeling one gets when anxiety keeps popping up again, but not knowing quite how to describe it.
“When I finished the track, I finally got freedom,” he said. “This song melts the emotions at the time inside.”
Mood Washing was also a project in which he exercised his voice as a singer and lyricist, something he is still hoping to improve on as someone who has mostly played instrumental music. Q the trumpet adds that making music is kind of like homework, in which he needs a comfortable environment in order to create songs.
Thankfully, Mood Washing gave him the opportunity to work with many of his friends who allowed for a “free and happy vibe” while making music. Almost every track on the album features a collaborator, including artists such as paulkye, Jay Moon, Yea Song and Yun Seok Cheol.
Q the trumpet says working with the likes of Paul Kim and Crush have also taught him many lessons about live performance.
“[Paul and Crush] do not go easy, even during practice time. They did not lose the details of the process,” Q the trumpet said, having recently performed a couple of concerts with rapper Crush in December.
“They’re kind to people who work with them. I learned a lot of things about the attitudes of being an artist [from them].”
Those are just some of the lessons Q the trumpet hopes to take with him into 2024, and he says his goal in the new year is to explore newer textures, sounds and emotions through his music.
He adds that he would also like the opportunity to perform an intimate solo stage in the coming months as well.
When asked what advice he can offer to budding brass instrumentalists like him who want to delve into singing, Q the trumpet stresses the importance of staying true to oneself and finding opportunities to play music with good friends.
“Don’t lose yourself,” he said.
“So, while you are with good friends, you will have a lot of good memories that cannot be forgotten.”
You can listen to Q the trumpet’s music on Spotify and follow him on Instagram.
Many thanks to Dahae Song from OFF THE RECORD for helping with the translation of this interview.
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