テキサス州ダラス出身。2006年にLAに移住しDJとして活動を広めると『LAタイムス』誌と『E!エンターテイメント』チャンネルから“最も才能があり人気のあるDJ”と評され、セレブやVIP専用のエクスクルーシヴなクラブで独自のアッパー・ハウス・スタイルのDJを披露するようになった。妥協なしに良い音楽を見つけ出せる、研ぎ澄まされた耳を持つGina StarはThrive Records(Paul Oakenfold, John Digweed, Deep Dishといった世界的なビッグネームを数多くリリースしたレーベル)のA&Rとして働くように。Ginaのデビューシングルはグラミー賞にノミネートされたドイツのプロデューサーDave Audeが運営するレーベル、Audaciousからリリースされ好評を得た。2009年、さらなる活躍を求めてUKへ移住、Toolroom Recordsからのリリースで注目を浴びるようになる。特にCirez DとSunscreemのマッシュアップは Radio1でPete Tongに紹介され、多くのDJたちが好んでプレイした。GinaはToolroomのサブレーベルLeaders Of The New Schoolから『This is Hollywood』をリリースし、Beatportのトップ100チャートで10位にランクイン、プログレッシヴ・ハウス・チャートでは1位を獲得した。「ハリウッドへようこそ。あなたの夢は?」というローランド・クラークによる有名なボーカルがフィーチャーされたこの曲はDavid Guettaが世界各地で放送されている彼の番組 “F*** Me I’m Famous”でもプレイされた。『Tilllate』誌マイアミ版ではGinaがいかにUKへ移住し活躍しているかが特集された。2010年3月には Toolroomのマイアミ・コンピレーションアルバムで「The Club」ディスクをGinaがミックス。そのマイアミのWMCのタイミングにリリースされたGinaの『I Want It Now』はDavid Guetta, DONS, Mark Knight, Robbie Riveraといった名だたるDJがサポートしており、世界中のラジオでもオンエアされている。この人気曲はフルリリースに向けてかなりのアーティストがリミックスなどに関わりたいと興味を示しており、ライセンスもあちこちから引き合いがある。この先も様々なプロジェクトが控えているGina Star、2011年は大きな飛躍の年になりそうだ。Ginaから目を離すな!
http://www.djginastar.com/
*What have you been up to lately and what can we expect from you over the next couple of months?
I’ve been having a really good time traveling lately; I was in Denver at the amazing Beta on X-mas day (although I had to get special permission from my mom haha), then off to Bangalore India for NYE which was insane, then a stop in Singapore to play at one of my fav places, Stereolab. Coming up I’m looking forward to going to playing with Pete Tong in Portsmouth, then off to Belgium, Turkey for 3 dates, then Japan to play at Warehouse which I’m super excited about, then Toolroom Knights at Ministry Of Sound, London.
*What's more important, the mix or the next tune?
This is a tough one… Although I, of course, care very much about the mix quality, I think I’m a tad more interested in the next tune. This is probably due to the style of music I play which lends itself more to short punchy mixes. A lot of my main set tunes are only 5-6 minutes with vocals and stuff happening about 30-45 seconds into the song. Then some of the stuff I might play later in the night are 7-8 minutes and more conducive to longer mixes.
*What is your favorite piece of travel gear?
Oh my gosh I just got the new Samsonite “Cosmolite” carry-on suitcase and its awesome. It’s the lightest suitcase they make and its made of this hard, virtually indestructible material. I can get so much stuff in it and still manage to get it closed!
*What’s the biggest crowd you’ve played to recently?
Would have to be the NYE party that I just played in Bangalore, India. It was held in a place called UB City which is the most affluent part of the country. They cleared out an entire shopping center and constructed a huge stage and lighting structures. The promoters said they ended up with just over 4000 people. It was a crazy night; I was even assigned my own bodyguard to keep track of me, hilarious!
*What is the magic hangover cure?
Ok well I have my own little routine if I’ve had a few too many… I try to have some water throughout the night, but for sure 2 big glasses before I sleep, along with 2 advils, and a B vitamin… I mean I’m not saying that I feel great in the morning but it definitely helps me to get up and catch my plane on time.
*If there is one rule in life to live by, what is it?
The greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.
*Given the choice would you prefer to be in the studio making music or on tour and why?
This is such a toss up, touring lately has just been so much fun and the interaction with the crowd makes it all worth while… But I also love the stuff I’m cooking up in the studio at the moment. The projects haven’t had the quickest turnaround times, but that is often the case when there are vocalists involved and radio mixes to consider.
*Can we expect anymore compilation mixes from you on Toolroom any time soon?
Oh yes, I am honored to be mixing one of the discs for the Toolroom Miami comp again this year. It was such a great success last year, and something that I’ve really been looking forward to.