Episode 4 is looking large! The most highly skilled and under rated DJ I know, Tonky is coming in with the guest mix this week. Tonky has a bunch of official remixes under his belt, remixing the likes of BoogieKnights, Diamond Lights & Galleon. His latest release alongside Galleon “Calling Africa” has been getting a lot of traction.  Along with a large amount of Bootlegs and Edits who have been supported by the likes of Odd Mob, Dave Winnel & Torren Foot, Tonky as an entertainer puts on a one of a kind live performance. Tonky’s skills were first demonstrated at large when he won The Search DJ Competition 2011 which took him to Ibiza. Since then he has built a reputation around Australia as being a technical wizard joining the ranks of Australia’s most talented scratch artists. We also talk about many beers is to many beers before a set and more below.

Q. Tell us about Tonky and how it all started for you?

A. It all started 13 years ago when my good friend Jayden who was DJing at the time invited me to come over to his place to have a crack at his Dennon CDJ’s. This became a weekly thing and next time I was getting my own set of decks to practice with. Jayden and I formed a duo known as The Sleepover which we toured around and had some decent releases with the likes of Reece low, SCNDL, and Deorro (formally known as Tonic) doing remixes for us.
I then went solo as Tonky a few years later and have been making my own kind of techy housey records and playing some fun gigs.

Q. What came first, an interest in DJing or producing?

A. DJing at first but production wasn’t too far behind it. I remember using a real basic music sequencing program in school and that peaked my interest but once I started DJing being able to write my own records and make personal edits in Ableton went hand in hand with playing gigs.

Q. As a producer who do you aspire to and who influences you the most?

A. Chris Lake and Claude von stroke are my main influences. Chris Lake has been around for a long time and can still smash out an amazing track and Claude von stroke for his quirkiness when it comes to his records.

Q. What festivals (when they return) would you most like to play at?

A. I haven’t played a proper doof festival and I see a lot of footage on socials and it looks like such a vibe. Anything like that would be awesome to play at.

Q. If you had the power to erase and abolish one musical genre – which one would rid the world of for eternity and why?

A. I couldn’t fully erase a genre, I’m a firm believer in vibing abit of everything music wise, but maybe if I had to choose it would be country music or opera just because I don’t get around it too much.

Q. Which button do you think you use the most when playing a set?

A. I absolutely smash the hot cues, I used Pioneer CDJ 1000’s for a lot of my career and being able to finger drum samples on the fly while DJing was a big game changer. I think that’s why moving to the Native Instruments Maschine was an easy choice for my live shows back when I used to use it.

Q. For any upcoming DJ’s who haven’t played in a club before, how many beers would you tell them is a safe amount before starting a set

A. I usually a rule of 3s kind of guy. I feel like 2 beers and shot of black sambuca will get you in the mood and on the same level as the crowd. You don’t wanna be too loose that your mixing gets sloppy but you don’t wanna be that DJ who is just standing behind the decks who doesn’t look like they are enjoying themselves.

Q. What is your personal record for playing the same record in one set and what was it?

A. When Riverside by Sidney Samson first came out, I think I dropped that like 4 times in a 6-hour set the night I got it. What a banger of a record.

Q. If you could collab with one producer, who would it be? Why?

A. It would have to be Claude von stroke or Chris Lake. Both just make amazing records and I feel that they would bring a lot to the table with ideas and different vibes.

Q. Would you rather fight 100 duck sized horses or 1 horse sized duck? Explain your reasoning.

A. Ooooh I would fight 100 duck sized horses. I think the visual of myself just running around punting these tiny horses in the air makes me laugh.

Q. What is something that bugs you about the DJ scene?

A. I think that a lot of the scene compares themselves to each other too much. The socials play a big part in that. I think peeps need to be happy about where they are at and celebrate the little victories. Each one of those smaller victories and goals you smash gets you closer to your end goal.

Q. And finally, marry one, kill one, f*$k one. Scomo, David Guetta, Kramer. Explain?

A. I would marry David Guetta and make full use of his studio.
I would kill Scomo, prime ministers never last the full term so may as well.
And I guess that means I would get my freak on with Kramer. I vibe Seinfeld so I guess that’s not so bad haha.