RD: What/who motivated you to pursue a career in electronic music?
GT: I have always had a strong passion for dance music and music in general.... I inherited all my parents disco vinyl and I also loved creating my own mixtapes or music, even at a very young age, I took singing lessons and recorded homemade mixtapes on cassettes from recording things off the radio at age 8! As I grew older, I knew I wanted to do something in radio or audio production.... So I studied that in college to find out how I could sharpen my craft.
RD: Have you always been into electronic music? What other genres of music do you listen to?
GT: I love 90's freestyle, hip house, and Old school hip hop as well as some rock... but yes, electrontic music has always been in the fore front for me.
RD: When and where did you perform your first DJ set?
GT: Well I guess we could say that my first official DJ sets were in radio studios, specifically in Boston, then I had my first live gig in Boston at age 20, and then in Netherlands a couple months later.
RD: You and Laidback Luke form the duo Nouveau Yorican and recently released your track ‘Nueva’, what inspires such a unique sound like that?
GT: I am very inspired by latin music in general, growing up with a large part of my family that are Puerto Rican, as well as being in the New York city area, full of different cultures... and of course with a jacking house twist :)
RD: When and how did you come about working with Laidback Luke? How has working with a mogul like Laidback Luke influenced your sound?
GT: Luke and I have been friends for a while now, it came about at WMC 2008 that we decided to work together when I was playing him weird techy house tracks, and it inspired him to go back a bit to his techy roots, he was inspired by my music selection and my energy.... YES! He def has influenced me....and made me a better producer!
RD: That isn’t the only duo your involved with, can you tell us about Staccato and your partner Louisahhh!!!?
GT: Awww, Staccato was formed becuase Louisahhh and I kept getting billed together, so one day we decided to DJ back to back! We are on a bit of a hiatus at the moment due to our living in different areas of the world!
RD: Any remixes coming out that we should keep an eye out for?
GT: I have a bootleg edit of James Blake that I did coming up soon.... and the Nouveau Yorican 'Nueva' Remixes should be out in late December....
RD: Your “Bang It” (w/ Zoo Brazil) is a exceptional track released on Tiesto’s Black Hole Recordings back in 2009, any comments on Zoo Brazil?
GT: YES, thank you! Zoo Brazil and I are actually working together again this year! stay tuned!
RD: Any new productions coming soon?
GT: Currently I am working on an original Gina Turner EP, as well as multiple collaborations with producers that vary from Solo to Style of Eye, to the Legendary MK!
RD: I know you’re talented enough to have mastered various pieces of equipment while producing, which hardware/software is your favorite? Why?
GT: Anything portable! Since I travel so much I want to try and make music wherever I can! so as of right now its AT2020 USB USB Cardioid Condenser Microphone by Audio-Technica, and my Korg Nano Key.
RD: Holy Ship electronic music cruise just announced set times, I noticed you have two sets, must be exciting, what do you have to say about this?
GT: SO excited! I'm playing two sets as well as teaching a yoga class and both of my stages are so awesome too!
RD: What festival has given you the greatest experience and why?
GT: EDC in LA doing vocals with Laidback Luke was legendary as well as doing the original HARD FEST NYE back in the day!
RD: Are there any pros of being one of the few DJs that are female in the industry? Any cons?
GT: I don't look at myself as a female DJ, I look at myself as a DJ who happens to be female.
RD: Last year you opened up for Tiesto four times, I attended the first Asbury Park show and it was amazing! Do you ever get anxious before sets? What helps you handle the pressure?
GT: I loved opening for Tiesto! sold out in the jersey shore and then 7,000 people in Orlando and Chicago! it was amazing! Not nervous at all, it was fun because I got to play whatever I wanted, since I knew Tiesto wasn't going to be playing any tech house LOL...
RD: You grew up in New York, spent some time in Boston, than relocated to Los Angeles; how has this influenced your musical preference?
GT: It has just cultured me ;)
RD: When you were in Boston you were a radio personality for a show called Revolutions, what was working there like? How has that benefited your career?
GT: It definitely helped me get more into all kinds of EDM not just house and it made me a better radio personality!
RD: You were blessed enough to have a friendship with the late legendary DJ AM and you actually list him as your mentor, what are some of the lessons you learned from him?
GT: "Feed the soul, starve the ego."
RD: You just played with Junior Sanchez at Cielo in New York on December 6th, anything special in your set?
GT: I debuted some of my new productions ;)
RD: What is your go to track at the moment?
GT: I'm obsessed with the new Drake album , but in terms of EDM, anything by Solo or the new Crookers Dr Gonzo Stuff, as well as my new collabs!
RD: If you had to pick one, what would you list as your favorite song of all time?
GT: 'Flowerz' by Armand Van Helden
RD: Three words to describe your productions?
GT: Jacking-Energetic-Techhouse-that isn't too serious (THATS MORE THAN THREE WORDS!)
RD: Dream vacation spot?
GT: Home! Yoga! Studio!
RD: Any suggestions for upcoming musicians?
GT: DON'T GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAM!
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