After making the change from promoter to DJ in the late 90’s Tahl’s profile has only grown stronger with residencies at Relax, Volume, Fractured, Quality Control and Bamboozled just to name a few.

Inthemix caught up with Tahl for a quick chat about where he has been and how far he intends to go.

You started of as a promoter in the late 90’s.  What was it about DJing that sucked you in?

I have been clubbing and loving nightclubs since I was seventeen, so really it was a natural progression from punter to promoter to DJ.  That, and my love for hunting and searching for new music. In the late 90’s seeing what DJs such as Will E Tel, Boogs & Ben Cromack did to dance floors, I knew I needed to do that.

Although being involved in the Melbourne dance community for so many years you have managed to keep your head on straight.  What’s your secret?

Head on straight? Hehe – some of my friends would disagree. My only secret is my love for the scene and knowing that I am and have always been in it for the long haul. Also, you can never let yourself get disheartened.

With an ever changing popularity in music genres, more DJs are becoming flexible with their styles of music.  Have you always played a mix of different sounds?

I have always played a mix of house, breaks and electro. I come from a punk / band background and love to mash things up.  I have always found a “genre specific” night a little boring. A mash up style of playing has always been my style.

Quality Control was launched in 2005 with your mates Keltec, Dan Mangan, Sean Quinn and Feigan.  Will we see a return of this night in 2006?

I hope so.  We are in the midst of looking at venues and have a few great parties in mind, involving Danny Bonnici (Nubreed), PQM & Jono Fernandez.

You are certainly a busy boy.  Alongside Quality Control you have been working with Bamboozled, Volume (Room680) and coming up Fiendish (with Keltec) at Metropol in St Kilda.  Is there anything else left? Any goals you are yet to achieve?

Of course! I have hardly started yet!  Bamboozled will be coming back this year – trashier, weirder and heaps better! So that’s exciting. I would also like to be involved or run some really underground nights, take things back to the old style of parties. Hidden venue, word of mouth promo and of course free!  I really want to make a push and do some national gigs this year also. Sydney in particular, they have a wicked scene up there.

You have been chosen at the next “Flavour of the Month” by the Tickled Pink girls.  What do you think brought you to their attention?

My music of course! Well I hope so…. And some friends recommendations I believe!

It seems you are quite excited about playing with the Tickled Pink ladies as you even designed your own flyer? Is design and interest of yours of was this just a bit of fun?

Very excited about playing Tickled Pink! I was wrapped when I heard about the booking.  Design is a great interest to me, I have worked as a professional Graphic Designer for five years now and absolutely love any chance to do design work for the dance music industry.

Are you ticklish?

Sometimes…depends on what sort of mood I am in!

Tickled Pink #6 is on this Friday 26th May at Circus, check ITM whatson for more details.