With the launch of her own label – Templr – a season in Ibiza, the release of an EP, countless festivals and international DJ gigs, artist TIMANTI‘s 24/7 work ethic is clearly paying off. Having made a name for herself with her unashamedly raucous club nights both in the UK and further afield, this London-born young woman – first name Steffie – has been flagged as one to watch in the realms of both music and mogul status.
Forgoing a machine-like team choreographing her success, Steffie has taken the hands-on approach, by doing absolutely everything herself. Here’s how, and why:
When did you start going out to clubs? Did you ever envisage that you’d be hosting nights one day?
I actually started hosting parties before being old enough to go to clubs! I used to hire out spaces and throw mini raves (which usually fell on my birthday) and then moved into proper venues. The parties where crazy, all my mates that were part of the Cali days would agree. I remember I got a couple of my dancer friends to dance in cages! (Sorry girls…) We were all underage – not sure if I should be saying this – and this was before I could even DJ!
How long have you been working in the music industry for? How did you get started?
I’ve been writing songs for as long as I can remember, like Primary School days. I’ve played quite a few instruments too. I’ve found some really embarrassing raps I’d done on my Talk Boy (wonder if anyone remembers those) from the ’90s… I’ve always had a passion for music so can’t think exactly what sparked it, all I know is that it hasn’t come from anyone around me growing up, as there was no one musical in my family… It was just there somehow! I started the parties when I was 15 and got my first DJ gig at the age of 17 while I was at college doing Music Technology.
How would you describe your sound?
A question I always struggle to answer. I’m influenced by so many sounds, so I would just say have a listen and decide for yourself. I would say it’s the TIMANTI sound, and tag it Future World Sounds!
I’ve seen that in the past you’ve mentioned overcoming a prior illness – do you mind me asking what that was and how it’s affected your work since?
It was an attack on my nervous system which caused numbness and permanent tingling around the body. It mainly affected my hands and I couldn’t DJ for about eight weeks last summer. I’m still undergoing tests for diagnosis. It was probably the scariest time of my life so far, but now I see the attack as a blessing. I’ve had to completely change my diet, and pretty much almost eliminated my alcohol consumption. I have to listen to my body a lot more and haven’t got as much strength as I did, but am determined to heal myself this summer in Ibiza, so the doctors won’t ever reach a diagnosis!
There’s a lot of hype surrounding the launch of your own record label – Templr – this summer, when did you decide to do that? And why?
This goes back to your question about my sound, I couldn’t really find a home for my next EP ‘City Of Gods’ (to be honest I only sent it to two labels) so decided to release it myself. There is a story surrounding each of my releases/tracks, and for this release I wanted to dedicate it to my Dad and release it on his 60th Birthday, 15th July. He loves the track and is such an important figure in my life as well as my Mum.
Who – out of your contemporaries – are you really into right now?
I’m really digging what the guys and girls around me are doing, especially Esa! He’s sitting on an absolute bomb which I can’t wait to play out in Ibiza. Voicedrone – who’s working on a remix for me – is creating some stunning analogue masterpieces, and Ireen Amnes is blowing my mind during her live DJ sets! Barber, Taylor, D. Ramirez, Coco Cole, BOY, Amber Shells, all the crew coming out of Hackney Wick and Mainyard & Shapes are, in my opinion, cooking up the future of our dance floors.
Is your professional world a supportive one?
I’m very lucky, I’ve got such an amazing squad that I live and work with. There are way too many to name here, but I would consider many of the following names family: Big Ups all of the Nixwax gang (especially Alec, Rob & Ralph for signing my first ever Vinyl release), Taylor & Tom Starr who have been like musical big brothers to me from day one – without them I wouldn’t be where I am today! Hannah Wants and her team have been awesome too after winning the What Hannah Wants comp in 2014, and playing on tour with her last year. What she does for up and coming artists is mega! Loz and Youngr who I live with in Hackney are two of the best, supportive house mates I could have ever wished for and my adopted baby musical sis Lolé will be in my room for the summer while I’ve moved to the inspiring Sonic Vista Studios for the season with another amazing squad! Literally count my lucky stars everyday!
You’re in Ibiza right now for the season, what are you favourite things to do there?
I get so inspired just being here but love to hang out in the caves, sleep under the stars and meditate at Es Vedra. Nothing can beat spending time exploring the island with my friends and pretending to be pirates – haha… I made a tune once called ‘Pirates of Es Vedra’. The outdoor parties and beach parties are my favourite. I also really love Pikes!
You’re also playing your fair share of festivals this summer, why should people come and check you out over the competition?
I am actually playing quite early at most of them so I guess they’re going to be quite different! I approach each set as a journey and would recommend you stick around for the whole ride. At Secret Garden Party I’m playing 10am-midday, and planning on doing a meditation/transcendental type set; I’ve never done this before so should be quite interesting. I’ve also just been confirmed for Lost Village festival which I’m super excited about! I’ll be opening up the Abandoned Chapel on the Saturday with some special vibes.
Is there any one track that is guaranteed to get the crowd going at your club nights?
There are a few but the real head-turner for me at the moment seems to be my track ‘City of Gods’. It has this secret bass line that comes out of nowhere and people seem to lose their minds. I wrote this after seeing Gardens of God at Lost Village last year!
If you could only listen to one track for 24 hours, what would it be and why?
Kiasmos – ‘Looped’, because I think I’ve already done it! Literally reminds me of summer and is such a beautiful track it’s impossible to get bored of.
How would you sum up the success of this year so far in once sentence?
I’m blown away to be honest, it’s all kind of happened because I decided to take risks and create it! I know it’s supposed to be one sentence but would like to extend this question with the hope of helping inspire others. I haven’t got a manager or a booking agent and don’t spend my whole life getting smashed at every party, in fact I’m always busy working so am rarely out. And when I’m not working I only spend time with people that care for me (this I think is fundamental as the industry is extremely tough). Don’t wait for the golden ticket, make your own… Create your own empire and they will come.
TIMANTI’s ‘Don’t U’ is out now on Love & Other; and her EP ‘City of Gods’ will be released on 15th July on Templr.
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