Spotlight: So tINI let's start from the beginning, how did you get into DJing?
tINI: One day my older brother bought two Technics to start mixing. Whenever I had the chance to use them, I mixed and played around with my small hip hop and rap vinyl collection. I learnt beatmatching very quickly and my friends were quite motivating.
And how did the first meeting with Loco Dice come about?
It was 2003, the year I started playing in clubs in Munich. My friends who really believed in me asked if I want to play the opening for Loco Dice . I was super nervous to meet and play with him, as I was already a big fan of his music and still a “rookie” at that time. Well after he listened to my warm up set he asked me if I want to play back to back with him the last few hours of that night. We did, and it went well. This is where our friendship started.
What was the journey from there in terms of becoming part of the Desolat family?
Well I played several times with Dice in and around Munich and we got to know and respect each other on a personal and artistic level.
What's the most important thing you've learnt from Dice?
Forward ever, backward never.
And from Desolat label partner Martin Buttrich?
How to make my songs 3-dimensional.
Your touring schedule is pretty hectic this summer, what's been your favourite place recently?
Well I was blessed to see so many nice places the past few weeks, but if I really have to pick some…Ibiza, London and Rome are my favourites.
Playing Amnesia Terrace at Cocoon must have been pretty special? To what extent do you prepare your set for a big gig like that?
It is definitely a special thing to play on the Terrace, but every gig is important to me and I always take care of my music. But I am way more nervous!
You were also touring earlier in the year with Marco Carola for his Play It Loud album release. What was it like warming up for the Italian techno superstar?
What can I say, I had such a great and funny time with Marco. He is an outstanding DJ, the way he controls the crowd… I learned a lot from him and it was really an honour to be part of it!
How did your residency for London party Fuse come about?
Enzo Siragusa, resident DJ and one of the founders of the Fuse Party in London, told me he always liked my That's Right from 2009, so he wanted to hear the DJ behind this tune. The evening went amazing, it was a crazy and magic night! From that day on, they booked me again and again, also for my first gig in Ibiza last year, at the now ex-Ushuaia. I was really happy when they asked me to become their resident dj.
You have since made a few introductions to other members of the Desolat family who have played the party, including Dice and Buttrich. What is it about the Fuse parties that everyone resonates with?
Magic! The people trust you and your choice of music for that moment. The atmosphere is more than special, everything is possible, from slow and super deep, to bouncing craziness with 'sit downs'. I just love it!
When did you start producing and what programs are you using?
My first release was in 2009, and I use Ableton, Reason, Logic (and some analog equipement).
So any potential Desolat or Fuse releases then in the near future?
YES! My album Tessa on Desolat is coming out in October.
And after the craziness of the summer, what will be your focus for the rest of the year?
My album tour, and more productions!
