QT (musician)

QT (an initialism for Quinn Thomas) is a music project consisting of American vocalist and performance artist Hayden Frances Dunham (also known as HFD), English producer A. G. Cook, and Scottish producer Sophie.[1][2] QT is a pop singer portrayed by Dunham who promotes and is the living embodiment of the semi-fictitious DrinkQT energy drink. Their debut single "Hey QT" was released in 2014.

QT
QT performing in March 2015
Background information
OriginNew York, U.S.
Genres
Years active2014–present
LabelsXL
Members
Past members

Background and concept
A package with the DrinkQT energy drink

Dunham was born on June 16, 1988. She grew up in Austin, Texas and attended the Gallatin School of Individualized Study at NYU.[3] Before the QT project, Dunham had done work as a designer and artist.[1][4][5] She met British producer Sophie after the two had seen each other at various events. She found Cook, head of the PC Music record label, through his work online. Dunham originally wanted to do a song as a way to market a QT energy drink, and she asked the producers to repeat the name regularly.[6]

QT is, in effect, a virtual character. The concept drew comparisons to the 2002 science fiction film Simone and the virtual Japanese pop star Hatsune Miku.[1][7][8] The project includes DrinkQT, an "energy elixir" with a design by Kim Laughton.[9] The music and drink are intended to be two manifestations of the same product.[10] Both have been described as "fizzy" and "energetic", with Dunham stating that she wanted "to be able to talk about 'Hey QT' and have DrinkQT talk about 'Hey QT' and 'Hey QT' talk about DrinkQT."[11] The drink has been distributed at performances, and in May 2015 DrinkQT was made available for pre-order.[12] Journalist Sasha Geffen described it as tasting "like Red Bull, only a little more tart."[13] Distributing the drink was a source of friction with the Red Bull Music Academy's sponsorship of a PC Music show.[14]

References
  1. Taylor, Trey (December 16, 2014). "Is QT the musical S1m0ne?". Dazed & Confused. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
  2. Carley, Brennan (March 25, 2015). "The 'Hey QT' Video Is the Strangest, Bubbliest Thing You'll See All Year". Spin. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
  3. Sullivan, Tavaner (November 8, 2011). "Austin native turns heads in NYC, Paris and London with unique necklace designs symbolic of her Southern roots". CultureMap Austin. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
  4. Armstrong, Liz (September 27, 2011). "New Dust Is Full of Hair and Leather". Vice. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
  5. Schwendener, Martha (April 18, 2014). "Hayden Dunham and Meriem Bennani: 'Paste'". New York Times: C27. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
  6. Lea, Tom (September 9, 2014). "Hey QT! An interview with 2014's most love-her-or-hate-her pop star". Fact. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
  7. Martin, Clive (September 12, 2014). "PC Music: Are They Really the Worst Thing Ever to Happen to Dance Music?". Vice. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
  8. Frank, Alex (September 23, 2014). "A Rational Conversation: Is PC Music Pop Or Is It 'Pop'?" (Interview). Interviewed by Erick Ducker. National Public Radio. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
  9. Jones, Charlie Robin (September 11, 2014). "PC Music's digital dreams". Dazed & Confused. 4: 178–183. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
  10. "Hey QT". One Point Four. March 26, 2015. Retrieved March 30, 2015.
  11. Stephens, Huw (March 25, 2015). "PC Music Interview". BBC Radio 1. Retrieved March 30, 2015.
  12. "You can finally drink QT". Fact. May 12, 2015. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
  13. Geffen, Sasha (March 30, 2015). "PC Music's Inverted Consumerism". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved March 30, 2015.
  14. Zoladz, Lindsay (May 15, 2015). "The Enigmatic PC Music Is Ready for Real Life". Vulture. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
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