ArtistInfo

Alinka

Dance
A.k.a. Alinka Ratner

“There are at least a few people in this thing determined to keep House Music weird. Chicago’s Alinka is one of them.” - Terry Matthew, 5Magazine Over the course of her 14-year career, Alinka has played alongside a wide array of artists, including: Mark Farina, Jesse Rose, Claude VonStroke, Jackmaster, Derrick Carter, DJ Heather, Peaches, Kim Ann Foxman, Julio Bashmore, and countless others. In 2013 she and Shaun J. Wright started their monthly residency Twirl at Berlin Nightclub in Chicago. The party has since featured guests such as: Derrick Carter, DJ Heather, Eli Escobar, Lauren Flax, JD Samson, and The Carry Nation. In addition Alinka is currently a resident at Primary Night Club in Chicago along with Gene Farris, Henry Saiz, and John Mork to name a few. The last three years have been particularly fruitful and rewarding for Alinka, due in large part to her friendship and musical partnership with singer, producer and DJ, Shaun J. Wright. Wright, whose rich, resonant voice has lended soul to music by Hercules and Love Affair, and Stereogamous, met Alinka in 2012 and the two instantly bonded over their love of Chicago House music. It wasn’t long before their evolving friendship resulted in what would be the first of many musical collaborations. Their first EP, “Twirl Vol.1,” was promptly signed to Derrick Carter and Luke Solomon’s esteemed house label, Classic Music Co. The EP went on to be lauded by the likes of Chris Duckenfield, Tensnake, Joyce Muniz, Hannah Holland, Doc Martin, Simon Baker, and many more. The release was followed by a 12” remix compilation with remixes from Derrick Carter, Neville Watson and Chris E. Pants. The EP’s lead single, “Love Inspired,” was featured on Defected Records Compilation “Defected Presents The Closing Party Ibiza 2013,” as well as Defected’s In The House Radio show. In addition, Alinka and Wright have collaborated on a plethora of remixes for Hi Fashion, The Carry Nation, JD Samson & MEN, and Baby Alpaca. The pair also recently completed “Twirl Vol. 2” for Classic Music Company which will be out early 2015. Wright and Alinka recently launched their label Twirl Recordings. Their first release titled “Journey Into The Deep” featured remixes by Kim Ann Foxman, and Stereogamous, and received support from a wide variety of artists including Groove Armada, Danny Tenaglia, Kenny Glasgow, Annie Mac, Robert Owens, Matt Toldfrey, and many more. The EP got DJ Mag's approval with a 9.0 rating, and was also featured on Annie Mac and Heidi’s shows on BBC Radio 1 dance radio. Their second release Wait For Love featured remixes from Eli Escobar and Newbody. The release was featured on Sinden and Tough Love’s shows on Kiss FM UK, as well as Anja Schneider’s Dance Under The Blue Moon Radio. Eli Escobar’s remix was also featured on Bargrooves Apres Ski 4.0 on Defected Records. Beyond her collaborations with Wright, she has a multitude of new releases and remixes in the works. Alinka’s ‘Basic’ EP which features remixes from Lil’ Mark, and Lauren Flax, was released on Get Up Recordings. The EP won approval from artists Tyree Cooper, Terry Francis, Brett Johnson, Justin Harris, and Inland Knights. The Lil Mark remix of Reaching was also featured in the Baseware Presents ADE Essentials 2014 compilation. Her most recent remixes include Eli Escobar’s track Anotha Luv for Get Up Recordings, Sharper Image’s Full Of It for Get Up Recordings, and Joshua Iz’s Like Gold for Vizual Records. Her remix of Anotha Love was featured in Roger Sanchez’s Release Yourself Podcast #211 and #213, and was chosen into the Beatport Staff Picks as well as Top Exclusives of Week 22. The remix also got a mention in Beatport's Decade In House article, and was chosen as one of the top House tracks of 2014 by Beatport.