:: INTERVIEWS :: TINA MARTIN

In DJ terms, despite your impressive reputation you are a relative new-comer to the scene, what has been your DJ high-lights so far?

Arrr why thank you! - and indeed as it’s only been a short but fast 3 ½ years that I’ve been playing out in clubs, and as far as my memorable experiences go, firstly it has to be having the opportunity to play out in Ibiza. Summer 2007 was the 2nd time I played out there, and I was lucky enough to get 4 gigs playing for Charlys Angelz, Tidy, Tranzaction and an unexpected electro set at Rehab with some other DJ/promoters who I went out there with. Playing at Charlys was my favourite gig out there - I had been briefed for a tough closing set so was quite nervous but I managed to keep the club rocking and rammed right until the end! The place was just going off and the crowd were amazing, clubbers leaning over the booth to shake my hand and take pictures so I was absolutely buzzing when I left. And second to that I also warmed up at Tidy for Mark Sherry at Es Paradis, the club was amazing and it was a great opportunity to play for such a reputable party alongside some big artists.

Then there’s Dj’ing out in Amsterdam which I’ve done 3 times over the last year and a half – each gig has been awesome, but my favourite was where I had the opportunity in April 07 to play at an outdoor dance event on Queensday, where I was playing down to a street full of crazy Dutch clubbers off a very high scaffolding constructed just for the occasion!

Your music tastes have changed considerably over the last year, changing from Hard Trance to Trance and now Techno – what brought on the changes and how did you get this new bug?

They have indeed. I suppose at the end of 2006 I was just getting bored of hard dance and was being inspired by Dj’s of different genres at the time. I have always liked Trance and Techno but suddenly my passion for it became more evident and I found myself searching and buying music of these styles and making efforts to go out to different parties. And I suppose the turning point for me getting into Techno is all down to a close friend of mine, Jordan Suckley – as on watching him play in January last year he made me see and realise how damned good Tech Trance and Techno really was! - and so from then on it’s just got stronger and now I can’t get enough of it! So over last year in my sets I have been playing Tech-Trance infused with a cross-over sound of funky, driving, electro techno, to now just playing the techno. You can download my latest 30 min promo mix from HYPERLINK "http://www.myspace.com/tinamartindj" www.myspace.com/tinamartindj

I see also you have recently been in the studio and co-produced your first track, tell us a bit more about this?

I have indeed, in December I had the opportunity to remix/co-produce a track with one of my favourite Techno producers Pedro Delgardo which is called ‘Blow Your Ears’. I had been dabbling with some production at home, but as an amateur and not having the time on my hands that I would like, having the opportunity to work with and learn from Pete was the way forward. We worked really well together and the track came out just as we wanted it – resulting it in being signed to Ying Yang - so you can appreciate I was absolutely over the moon! The tune is getting massive support by the likes of Mark Sherry, Gleave, Dr Willis, Stephane Signore, NuSense, Greg Downey and Paul Webster. So times are quite exciting for me at the moment with more studio dates in the pipeline. You can check out a clip of my tune at www.myspace.com/tinamartindj

In your formative DJ years, who would you say was your inspiration? And who inspires you now?

This is a hard one to answer as over the years where my music tastes have changed quite dramatically, so there’s been different influences! Hard Dance wise, back in the day, I’d say I was influenced by the likes of Nick Sentience, Phil Reynolds and James Lawson. Then Trance wise I’m still a big Eddie Halliwell fan, and as well of Jordan Suckley who I mentioned before. But now Techno wise it’s Pedro Delgardo, Stephane Signore, Wehbba, Preach, DJ Mika and Axel Karakasis to name a few.

What would you include in your top five tracks last year?

Yogi and Romeo ‘Six Hours’ (Fred Baker Remix) [Hellhouse]
Karen Overton ‘Loving Arms’ (Bryan Kearney Filth Treatment Remix) [CDR]
Wehbba ‘Backfire’ (Pedro Delgardo Remix) [Ying Yang]
Armandi Pres. Mandy Reid ‘Up The Tempo’ [Bonzai Music]
Gleave ‘Fire Devil [Detox]

Your passion for trance has seen you take a brave move into the world of club promoting, most recently launching Qudos in Reading. The launch and last two events have been runaway successes according to the rave reviews. What do you have planned for Qudos’ fourth outing in March? Who do you have playing?

Indeed yes. It’s funny as when I decided to move out of London over a year ago now, and quit promoting, I didn’t anticipate that I’d get back into it again - but I have realised it’s still something I really enjoy doing – so here I am again! And so when I moved to the Reading area early part of 2007 I spent some time researching the scene here, then with some advice and initial help of some friends here I decided to set up Qudos – which is now Reading’s only and fastest growing Trance night. Qudos still has a long way to go but from the response all of the parties so far, they have as you say been really good. November was a sell out and even in January we almost reached capacity, so it’s being very well received and the clubbers/locals are loving the refreshing change of music to the scene here. So far we’ve had Lisa Lashes who launched our party, along with Jordan Suckley, Dirty Cowboys, and on other events we’ve had John O’Callaghan, Fred Baker, Marcos (who is my new resident) and Claudia Cazacu, along with lots of local upcoming talent such at Matt Powell, Wynney, Sam Red and Saman’i, who have been warming up with some tech-house and electro. On Friday 14th March headlining we have Discover Label’s John Askew along with Marcos, Myself and upcoming artists Simon Bostock, Ben Nicky and Atmosphere Records hosting the garden. Visit www.myspace.com/qudosevents for more info :)