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 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 and it's going to be featuring on an Australian album very soon also! So you can appreciate I'm absolutely over the moon! The tune is also 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 Andy Farley. 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?

Out of the combination of tech-trance and techno it would be:

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 again, launching Qudos in Reading last year. The launch and last two events have been runaway successes according to the rave reviews. What do you have planned for Qudos’ fourth outing on 14th March? Who do you have playing?

Indeed it has 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, and as you say I'm also quite pleased it's going well. 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 other big artists such as John O’Callaghan, Fred Baker, Marcos (who is my new resident), Claudia Cazacu, Lucy Clarke, Jordan Suckley along with lots of buzzing upcoming talet such as Davey Asprey, Dave Little, Dirty Cowboys, Matt Powell, Wynney, Sam Red and Saman’i, who have been warming up for me. On Friday 14th March headlining we have Discover Label’s John Askew along with Marcos and Myself as well as more upcoming artists Simon Bostock, Ben Nicky and Atmosphere Records hosting the garden with Sam Red. Visit our group for more info and current giveaways! www.dontstayin.com/parties/qudos

Can you tell us a little more about the venue?

Well, obviously I’m blatantly biased here as I love Mango! lol But if it look at it objectively I think Mango is by far the best club to go in Reading if you want to see the best DJ’s, hear the best music, and have a good night out! Mango has just in-fact won the 2007 Reading Pub Watch Awards so that’s also saying something! But in my opinion there aren’t any other venues in the area that match up to it - it has an awesome modern layout, top notch sound system/set up, new lighting and visuals, chill out areas upstairs and a new garden which in the summer gives that outdoor terrace vibe, and friendly but firm security. The club has been host to some of the biggest dj’s on the scene and caters for all tastes of music, ranging from minimal, to house and electro, to my by-monthly alternative night Qudos. The management run a tight a venue just like I like to run my party, so all in all, I really enjoy putting on events there or going down for a social.

How would you describe the music policy at Qudos.

Qudos’ policy is all about quality music. We are predominantly a Trance night but still we incorporate other genres to progress it, such as techno, and in the garden you can expect to hear house, electro, prog, minimal, breaks and generally any good summer terrace music.

Are you from a musical family? Where do you think your passion for trance comes from?

I don’t come from a music family no, which is rather odd considering how much I love involving myself with music! My musical background just comprises of singing in the school choir – bearing in mind I can’t sing to save my life lol.

Although as a teenager music was my thing, be it from consistently having music on in my room or on my walkman - which was a range of dance and rave to chart music, or I’d be at home recording radio shows and playing them back and new tunes to my friends when they came over – a budding DJ it seems!

Trance has been on a bit of a rollercoaster over the last few years; do you think there is room for trance in a market that seems to be going more and more funky?

You think? I have to disagree on the rollercoaster thing.. and all this jumping on the band wagon of negativity does make me roll my eyes sometimes! lol. The scene as I see it currently consists of many strong upcoming nights as well as the established big players such as Gatecrasher, Goodgreef, The Gallery and Godskitchen to name a few, so all in all I think the Trance scene is still doing just as well with a great amount new talent now rising the ranks. And yea Trance isn't the main stream genre anymore but I think there will always be a market for the clubbers who like the variations of house and other slower genres which are breaking into the national charts, and also for the people who like it that little bit harder. I think Trance types will find their way to it eventually.

Some Trance purists say that the best trance nights are ones with progression – do you agree?

I agree - a well progressed night is an important aspect to me, whether is be from a DJ’ing, Promoting or clubbing point of view.

What is your view on random back-2-backs?

I don’t mind doing the odd b2b here and there as they can be good fun - as long as the DJ’s have been matched with a bit of common sense obviously!

As well as the above you also run an agency called ReBirth Artist Management, can you tell us more about this?

I do indeed.. in December 2006 myself and Pierre Pienaar decided to set up an agency branching off his ReBirth Productions Audio Services company. This was a whole new venture for me in managing DJs which again has also been a big learning curve! In addition to Pierre, who I arranged a tour for in the UK in 2006 (which this all stemmed from) and myself on the roster, I also of late manage Trance artist Marcos. Pierre, over the last year has achieved some massive things - not only has he become Head of Nukleuz Green record label, but his albums and singles have been making no.1 hits in many dance charts as well as being supported by some of the biggest DJ’s in the world like PVD and Carl Cox! Also his remix of CRW ‘Feel Love’ was supported by Above and Beyonds and made it onto Ministry of Sound compliations.. he’s doing very well for himself. And then I have new signing Marcos who has played for some of biggest Trance parties in the UK and internationally. Now after some time out at becoming a new daddy, he has been working very hard behind the scenes and some very exciting things! Not only have I made him resident at Qudos in Reading where he's being received well, but he’s working on some pretty immense tunes with some very huge artists and labels.. so keep your eyes peeled for more from him as Marcos continues to ooze star quality and is 'back at his best' as quoted by John O'Callaghan in MixMag! You can find more info about us at www.dontstayin.com/groups/rebirth-artist-management.

And how do you manage to fit all this work into your life?

I really don’t know sometimes to be honest! lol. I really don't rest seriously.. sitting at home doing nothing just doesn't happen in my life - altho I do have to force myself to watch a dvd now and then! I get home and I'm working on my laptop like I am now til very late at night either on the party or my agency by doing promo, organising PR, updating my handful of websites, listening to new music and demo's, networking, researching etc or pushing my own Dj'ing which usually comes last ontop of normal life stuff like housework, cleaning and cooking! I'm usually a red eyed monster the week before my party but when the doors open and I see people having a good night it makes it all worth it :)

What is your most shameful moment?

Ummm.. has to be in my very early days of Dj’ing I drank a bit too much before my gig to calm the nerves, and ended up playing the same tune twice lol! So I learnt my lesson there as from then on I have always stayed as sober as a judge when I play.

And finally - any words of wisdom?

There’s an old Chinese proverb which I refer to quite regularly -
‘The journey is the reward.’

___________________________________________________________________