14 FAKTS INTERVIEW WITHTINI GESSLER

Born in Germany but raised in Spain, Tini Gessler has been a fixture of the European house and techno scene for nearly a decade, landing as a regular at Pacha Barcelona before joining the elrow family as a resident in 2017. Touted by many for her ability to command the dancefloor across all hours, but notably during the peak time, her blend of house-meets-techno has developed with her evolving studio talent, leading to releases via labels such as Drumcode, Circus Recordings, Sola, Rawthentic and more. Adding to those with authority, September welcomes a new label to her growing catalogue as she debuts on West Coast favourites Factory 93 with another impactful outing as she drops her latest single, ‘Amplified’.

Q: Please introduce yourself

Hey there! This is Tini Gessler. I've been playing for 10 years and making beats for 5 or 6. I'm from a little German city called Friedrichshafen (try to spell it, lol), but I have been living in Barcelona for many years already. The weather is nicer... haha! 

Q: One person you'd dream to have a coffee with?

My grandpa. He left us a couple of years ago, and I miss him. 

Q: If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

To be able to teleport. I'm so tired of delays and spending half of my week on airplanes. 

Q: If you would have been given the chance to do a film score, what movie would you choose and why?

In a serious way, any film where I could collaborate with Hans Zimmer; he's a genius. In a funny way, Pirates of the Caribbean, haha! 

Q: Who has been the most influential in your music career? And why?

Luciano. I did a couple of summer seasons in Pacha Ibiza as a bartender when I was 18, so he's probably one of the reasons I became a DJ. 

Q: Tell us about your journey, what got you to where you are today?

Being part of the elrow team was a game changer without a doubt. I went from playing in restaurants and small local clubs to playing for thousands with the best promoters in the world. Then you, of course, need to deliver, obviously, but I'm very thankful they believed in me. 

Q: Everyone goes through ups and downs, what’s one habit you adopt to push through the downs?

We're artists, so we can be very dramatic in our downs haha. I'm lucky to be surrounded by a good team who cheers me up in those moments. I try to take a moment to see the big picture: where I come from, where I am right now, and things coming up, and to believe in what I'm doing. 

Q: Can you recall a DJ set or performance of yours that remains unforgettable to you? Where did it take place, and what makes it stand out among all others?

It's really hard to pick just one. There are many. But probably elrow in Barcelona, February 2022. That was my favourite place in the world, home, with friends... It was right after the pandemic, and clubs were reopening, so the energy and the mood on the dancefloor were the best. It's one of those DJ sets you would always dream of, everything on point and perfect. It turns out (and we didn't know then) it was the last time elrow opened the club, so it adds an extra magic to that set. I will never forget that one. 

Q: How has your music style evolved over the years?

That's a very good question. I always played tech house. In the beginning, I was more influenced by European tech house, but over the years I care way less about tags and stuff. I love to get lost digging for music, and right now, if I like a track, I play it, period. I like to think I'm not influenced by trends, so you could hear me playing mainly tech house, but also house, techno... more underground, less underground... I like it like that. 

Q: If you were to venture into another music genre, which one would you choose and why?

Techno. Not hard, just regular techno. I have a very good relationship with the Drumcode family (I love them), and they invite me from time to time to play with them. It feels really good and refreshing when I play techno. 

Q: Could you name 3 tracks that got you into electronic music and why?

1) Lil Louis - French Kiss,

2) Jaquarius - Love is Happiness (Acid Love),

3) Lidell Townsell - Jack the House.

These are oldies, I know, some before I was even born. My parents had vinyl records at home, and I used to listen to them with my brother. I wouldn't say they influenced me the most, but I remember listening to them thinking to myself, "Hold on, what is this? This sounds different". So, I guess I was introduced to electronic music without knowing it; I still listen to it from time to time.  

Q: Can you recommend a hidden gem in your home country that would be perfect for a rave?

Bro, I'm from Germany! We can literally turn ANY location into a perfect rave, hahaha. 

Q: Could you tell us about your upcoming releases and plans for the year?

I just released a single on Factory93. I love the track; I've been playing it for months, so I'm really excited about it. I'm also doing my first headline show in NY, playing CRSSD Festival at the end of September, making my debut at Creamfields Chile and Argentina for the first time, and then I'm back at Club Space Miami at the end of November (one of my favs right now)... life's good! 

Q: Can you share a fun fact about yourself that most of your listeners are probably unaware of?

If I wasn't an artist, I would have LOVED to have been a helicopter pilot. I'm not kidding, haha. Also, as a good German, I like to always be on time. I'm one of those people who arrives 2 hours before at the airport, 1 hour before at a club... I could get very mad at you if you made me arrive in less time than that.