On Tinika's FB 'About' section, you will find the following statement: 'Melbourne-based DJ and purveyor of fine Tunes.' Outside of that time Dan Andrews proudly proclaimed it’s ‘time to get on the beers’, you will be hard-pressed to find a more factual statement. Tinika's musical currency is house and disco distilled into its purest form. But a DJ track is like any household tool: achieving its maximum potential is only possible in the hands of a capable user. In Tinika's hands, tracks we usually dislike are repurposed in a way that sounds fresh. She seems to parse the essential essence out of every production - and if you had to define what makes DJ good, that skill would rank highly on our list.

Tinika's recent Novelcast mix is a case in point: it starts light, riding the disco wave until she puts the hammer down with some essential tech house that will even have the most jaded TWEGMP member frothing. It pumps without being gaudy and is energetic without being obvious, all injected with her unique flair that makes you return for countless listens. We don’t want to get *too* philosophical here, but DJ mixes are essentially an extension of a DJs personality. And if that statement is as accurate as we want it to be, Tinika’s emoji-animal is most probably 🔥.

With her name becoming more familiar on event announcements it’s safe to say promoters are taking notice. She is steadily levelling up: nestled amongst shows at Glamorama, Thank You Bar, and Ferdydurke, is a closing set earlier this year after disco don Dr Packer on the Royal Melbourne Hotel main floor. Her career portfolio will also swell with upcoming bookings at Let Them Eat Cake NYD and the sold-out smalltown Bridge Rave. Nice.

All of this points to her being a perfect fit in our Fast 10 Hall of Fame...

1. THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE MY MUSIC:

Unexpected, dynamic, risky…

2. A FEMALE ARTIST EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW:

Half queen! One of the baddest, coolest people on the entire earth.

3. A TRACK I'M EMBARRASSED TO LOVE:

Stars are blind - Paris Hilton 🤣

4. THE LOCAL INDUSTRY NEEDS MORE:

For the love of god, the industry needs more queer POC representation. We are the future and the world is busting with underground talent that I honestly believe will change the world.

5. MY DRINK OF CHOICE AT A GIG:

A good ol' seccy spritz

6. WHAT EMPOWERS ME:

One time at Glamorama, I went to the booth to prepare for my set and security asked me to get out of the DJ booth. I told them, mate.. I am the DJ. Security backed away pretty shocked, and after my set, the same guard chased me down and said 'Jesus fucking Christ, I usually hate the music here (big lol) but that was the best set I've ever heard. Starting out as a bedroom DJ who thought my anxiety would hold me back forever, it's nice to be recognised, and it keeps me going!

7. THE BEST GIG I'VE EVER PLAYED:

Probably my first ever closing set at Ferdydurke. I complained all week about playing at 2 am and in the end, I got to play some absolutely dirty tracks that I don't usually get to play elsewhere.

8. IF I WASN'T IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY, I WOULD BE:

Probably in real estate. Selling sunset on Netflix seriously made me rethink my career.

9. SOMEONE I LOOK UP TO IS:

My gorgeous fiancé! They are honestly the most well rounded, resilient and people I've ever met!

10. THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE I EVER RECEIVED:

"Google it"

FAST 10: Tinika