QMA On Stage 2024
For the fifth edition of QMA On Stage we teamed up with Fiakka Studios again and hosted a five day music residency. The winning acts each had their own recording studio at their disposal and worked on an insane amount of new tracks. This year’s program curator Tonica Hunter invited a bunch of producers to work with and mentors from music industry to share their knowledge with them. For the end of the residency we hosted a party at Celeste including concerts by all the participating musicians and gave away various prizes to them, sponsored by a big variety of different creatives that want to support these artists and contribute to an Austrian music scene that is no longer male-centred and white-dominated. Let’s create it anew!
(c) Xenia Snapiro
The winning acts
TJ Tall
was born and raised on the Caribbean island of St.Vincent, TJ Tall started making music to express inner truths and connect with his roots. His music is influenced by soca, reggae, dub, and blends these genres with a decidedly queer perspective.
Watch a video interview with TJ Tall here.
Photo by Xenia Snapiro
La Washa
is a musical project by singer Valentina Viera and Stefan Kerschbaumer. In their music, the two artists draw generously on their cultural backgrounds and mix European- influenced electronic sounds with Latin American rhythms.
Watch a video interview with La Washa here.
Photo by Xenia Snapiro
Nsheem
would describe his art as “planned confused with a touch of humor”. In his music, he deals with uncomfortable internal dialogue, real life experiences, and hard to swallow topics.
Watch a video interview with Nsheem here.
Photo by Xenia Snapiro
The jury
# Mani Obeya
Mani Obeya is a Nigerian born, British raised dancer, singer/songwriter and choreographer. He trained at Arts Educational School, Ballet Rambert and Dance Theatre of Harlem before becoming a soloist at Stadt Theater Heidelberg, National Theater Mannheim and Unterwegs Theater Heidelberg. This was followed by 4 years working with TTW under the direction of Liz King. Guest choreographers included Catherine Guerin, Nigel Charnock and Simon Frearson before becoming a soloist at the Volksoper Wien where he danced and co- choreographed until 2003. He later became a quest performer with The Forsythe Company from 2006. He also became a member of Michael Keegan Dolan’s Fabulous Beast Dance Theatre in 2004, performing worldwide for over a decade before Michael disbanded the company and re-formed it as Teac Damsa. He has been its Rehearsal and Tour Director for Swan Lake and Mam, which have toured around the world to date.
# Markus Blahus
Markus Blahus has been active as a label manager, DJ and person in Vienna’s music scene for almost 20 years. In 2016, he co-founded the platform/label Ashida Park, which has established itself in its own niche within Vienna’s club and experimental music culture. From 2020-2024 he was also involved as A&R and PM at “mom i made it”, the sub-label of Universal Music Austria, to scout talented musicians in and around Austria (SALÒ, Eli Preiss, Anda Morts etc.) and build sustainable careers together. He is currently working with the up-and-coming artists Antonia XM (booking, management) and Enesi M. (booking).
# Maria Herold
Maria Herold (she/her) is a cultural producer and curator, musician and music producer living and working in Vienna. Her musical engagement dives into solo music and collaborative band projects, where she crafts electronic music, leveraging synthesizers, beats and vocals. Music and cultural education, engaging with children and conducting workshops in schools are part of her work. She has a background in musicology, coupled with studies in music business and production. Maria's work circles around the intersection of public spaces, collective environments, and the dynamics of power structures, with a keen focus on fostering gender diversity within music. Her contributions extend beyond music creation to producing, curating, and hosting events. Her curated activities center on music and performing arts, breathing life into communal spaces, resonating with public engagement.
The prizes awarded
# Photoshooting with Alex Stanić
# Graphic Design by Jakob Mayr and Kilian Wittmann
# CONNECT 2 Interfaces from LEWITT
# Condenser Microphone LCT 440 PURE from LEWITT
Invited producers
# Max Walch
# Dorian Concept
# Magnus Thomson
# Christoh
# Felis
Invited music industry professionals
# Dominic Beyer (Music Austria)
# Dalia Ahmed (FM4)
# Mani Obeya
# YIELU
Photos from the music residency
All photos by Xenia Snapiro
