From Sitges to Stardom: A Chat with Tini Gessler

Tini Gessler's ascent from local gigs in southern Germany to the international stage is a story of undeniable talent and strategic growth. Starting her DJing career in 2013, Tini quickly moved from playing at local clubs and restaurants in Sitges and Barcelona to becoming a sought-after name in the music industry. Her early experiences in the clubbing environment of Sitges ignited a passion that has only grown stronger.

By 2017, Tini's potential was evident to the Arnau family, who brought her into the elrow team. This move proved to be a game-changer, allowing her to refine her sound and gain exposure on some of the world's most prestigious stages. Tini’s energetic and versatile sets have since blown away audiences at top venues like London’s Studio 338, Amnesia, Ushuaïa, and Hï Ibiza, and at major festivals including Kappa Futur Festival, Tomorrowland, and EDC.

Her releases on high-profile labels such as Drumcode, Kaluki, Toolroom, Sola, and Circus Recordings exemplify her skill in blending house and techno with melodic elements. This versatility and her growing catalog have earned her respect and recognition within the industry, positioning her as a must-book artist for top events worldwide.

Tini’s reputation speaks for itself. With an impressive resume that includes playing alongside the industry's best and consistently delivering stellar performances, it's no wonder she's a fixture on the global circuit. In this interview, Tini opens up about her musical influences, the challenges she's overcome, standout moments from her career, and her devotion to rescuing dogs through her NGO. If she’s not already on your radar, it's time to take notice. Tini Gessler is an artist who not only commands the stage but also brings an undeniable energy to every performance, making her a valuable addition to any lineup.

What made you realize you wanted to invest in a full-time career in music?

The moment I realized I could make money playing music. Haha. When I started playing music, I was just doing it for fun because I liked it. Then someone proposed a show and told me the budget, and I was like, “Hold on, I will get paid?” Then I went all in, but it wasn’t easy in the beginning.

What was it like transitioning from small local parties to a residency at elrow?

I like my journey, to be honest. I started my career the old-fashioned way. I learned at home, started playing at very local bars, some restaurants here and there, and some private parties. I still remember the first time I played in front of a crowd. A friend of mine, a resident DJ there, was playing, then told me to play a track and left for a cigarette without telling me. So I found myself, nervous AF, mixing a couple of tracks. People were looking at me, and I didn’t understand why. Then I realized the music was sounding on my headphones, but not on the bar sound system. SO embarrassing. Haha.

I knew the family for some time already but I was still not used to big crowds. They decided to give me the chance anyway. The first time I played there, I didn’t sleep the night before, barely ate anything, hands shaking. Then Juan Arnau senior told me, “You play for the people, look at them, don’t think of yourself. People come here to have fun.” So I grew up and matured with that as an artist. Hence, why I’m generally uplifting and energetic. I just love seeing people going crazy at my sets.

How has growing up in Sitges, Spain influenced your music style?

People always think about Barcelona for clubbing, but in my teenage years, there were some really cool clubs in Sitges like L’Atlantida. Even up to today, there’s Pacha, which is the first Pacha built in the world. People think it’s the Ibiza club, but it was actually the Sitges one. They had super talented resident DJs like David Gausa or David Tort who were ahead musically compared to any other Barcelona resident DJ back then.

Your sets are known for being very uplifting. Where do you find most of your music?

Promos and Beatport mostly. Promos are always appreciated; they allow you to play unheard music to the audience. And I truly love to get lost digging on Beatport. I spend so many hours there. Normally I check what’s new, if I missed something. I find some track I like from some artist I don’t know, then check the artist, check the label, then probably discover another track, then a new artist here, new label there, etc. And then I end up finding gems on very random labels. Hahaha.

What was your first experience like playing at iconic clubs such as Space Ibiza?

Space was one of the music temples of the industry. I did a couple of summer seasons in Ibiza as a bartender when I was 18, so I spent more hours there than I would ever admit. Haha. I’ve seen so many good and different artists, all of them with their own style. When I had the opportunity to play there, I couldn’t believe it. I even played at their “last dance.” That was emotional.

As a resident DJ for elrow, what has been your most memorable performance and why? What is your favorite part about the brand?

February 2022, Elrow Barcelona. I will never forget that one. We came back from the pandemic, and I did the closing set at the terrace, one of the best sets I’ve ever done there. So many emotions that day. I still have goosebumps from that day. The sad thing is I didn’t know then that it would be the last time elrow opened that club, which in part makes it more special for me. That club was magic.

2024 has been a busy year for you. Which event or festival stands out the most and why?

Tough question. So many to choose from! I will debut at Kappa Futur Festival in July; Italy always treats me well. Space Miami is always very, very special. ANTS in Ushuaia Ibiza is always nice, and their team is lovely. Of course, elrow with the family is always top tier. New York feels like a second home; I have so many friends there, and I always feel very welcome. I will soon do my first headline event there, so that’s probably one of my 2024 highlights.

You’ve had releases on notable labels. Which release are you most proud of and why?

All of them make me very proud for some reason or another. They’re my babies. The first releases because they were the first ones, then the ones in the middle because I was able to do it alone. Now I’m working with studio engineers, so the tracks have better sound and better arrangements. Everything is part of me in some way, so I’m proud of all of them.

Can you share a bit about your upcoming projects and what fans can expect from you next?

I have a couple of releases scheduled in the next few months, one on AETERNA, Meduza’s label, and one at FACTORY93 from Insomniac. After a couple of more techno-oriented releases, I wanted to focus again on tech house so people don’t get confused. Haha. Obviously, I’m working on new stuff, but these are the closest projects to see the light.

Who are some of your biggest musical influences, and how have they shaped your sound?

I don’t really think I have just one influence. I think I’m influenced in so many ways. In the very beginning, I was very influenced by Luciano and Sven Vath (I spent so many hours at Cocoon in Ibiza). But right now, I couldn’t say any main one. If you listen to my sets, I can play music from so many different labels and artists, from house to tech house and a bit of techno. When I’m listening to promos or digging on Beatport, I just go through music. I spend many hours and I love ending up on some random labels. I don’t care who made the track, if the label is more or less underground, if it’s tech house or techno. If I like it, I get it and I play it. End of story.

How do you prepare for a big show or festival? Any rituals or routines?

I don’t have any rituals or particular routines, to be honest. As I said before, I spend so many hours looking for music, so I’m well prepared. What I can’t avoid is getting very nervous before I play. I barely eat, my stomach hurts, etc.

If you could collaborate with any artist in the world, who would it be and why?

Sade. She’s by far my favorite artist in the world. People around me are VERY tired of Sade. I have no idea how that collaboration would end up because we’re totally different, but I guess that’s the beauty of music—you never know what can happen.

What has been the funniest or most unexpected thing to happen during one of your sets?

Not sure if it’s the funniest, but terrifying for sure. I was playing at a ski festival in Europe. It was very cold and windy, which means double cold. Suddenly all CDJs stopped working except one. I had a heart attack at that moment. But the funny thing is, two days before, I saw a random video on Instagram of a dude explaining how to mix with one CDJ. So after collapsing for one minute, I made it through while the sound engineers changed the rest of the equipment. The longest five minutes of my life. Hahaha.

If you weren’t a DJ, what do you think you would be doing right now?

Helicopter pilot. 100%. Always wanted to be one.

What is your favorite spot to eat in Ibiza?

FISH SHACK. Not sure if it’s my favorite, but one of them for sure. I just love going there—good food, beautiful sunsets. LA DOLCE VITE in Platja d’en Bossa is an Italian restaurant. The food is great, not expensive, the team working there is crazy, and they let us do (almost) whatever we want. Hahaha.

Can you share an interesting fact about yourself that your fans might not know?

Besides my DJ career, I have an NGO with a couple of friends that rescue street or abandoned dogs and try to find a new home for them. It’s very tough, emotionally and sometimes physically, especially because you can’t save them all. Last year we managed to save around 500 dogs. It’s something I’m very proud of.