DJ Tonka (original) (raw)

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DJ Tonka
DJ Tonka DJing at Sikamikanico in Oslo, Norway on 8 September 2007DJ Tonka DJing at Sikamikanico in Oslo, Norway on 8 September 2007
Background information
Birth name Thomas-René Gerlach
Also known as DJ TonkaTonkaThomasticChip Tunes
Born (1973-06-24) June 24, 1973 (age 51)Mainz, Rhineland-Pfalz, West Germany
Genres Electronic, house
Occupation(s) DJ, record producer
Years active 1991–present
Labels Force Inc. Music WorksUplifting RecordsVivienne Records
Website http://www.djtonka.com

Musical artist

Thomas-René Gerlach (born June 24, 1973), known professionally as DJ Tonka, is a German electronic dance musician. He is also known as Tonka, Chip Tunes, and Thomastic.

In his early career, Thomas-René Gerlach worked with fellow producer Ian Pooley in the groups Outrage, Space Cube, and T'N'I. Together they produced several records in techno, progressive house and breakbeat. In 1996, the partnership was dissolved (an EP with unreleased tracks was still released in 1997), and coincidentally, both started producing a more mainstream-friendly sound.

As a solo artist, Gerlach took on the name DJ Tonka and began producing house music, with influences from synthpop and the American garage house scene. He achieved some notoriety as a remixer, reworking tunes such as "Trapped" for disco artist Colonel Abrams, "Love Shack" for The B-52's and "Push It" for Salt-N-Pepa.

Tonka cites Grandmaster Flash and Depeche Mode among his influences.[_citation needed_] He has also founded two record labels: Uplifting Records in 1997 and Vivienne Records in 2000.

TONKA presents CHIP TUNES

THOMASTIC (Productions & Remixes)

T´N´I (DJ Tonka & Ian Pooley)

T´N´I Remixes (DJ Tonka & Ian Pooley)

SPACE CUBE (DJ Tonka & Ian Pooley)

SPACE CUBE Remixes (DJ Tonka & Ian Pooley)

OUTRAGE (DJ Tonka & Ian Pooley)