Alinka
Chicago, Illinois, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2014 | INDIE
Music
Press
"To get everyone in the mood for the atmosphere and experience they’ll be experiencing at the their parties, Twirl have released a remix of SSION’s “Luvvbazaar”. Strong house grooves on this one. Maybe you throw this on and bust a lil two step in the break room at work. Get the blood pumping, burn some calories while you heat up leftovers from the Olive Garden in the microwave. Hopefully the song inspires you t have a love bazaar in your own life. Not sure what a love bazaar is technically, but I’m pretty sure it’s the classy way of saying you’re having an orgy. I’m with classy shit like that." - Mishka Blog
"Enjoy the release of an explosive music collaboration between the reputable DJs Shaun J Wright of Hercules And Love Affair – and Alinka of rad Chicago duo Shuteye. The pair collaborated to put their own spin on SSION’s “Luvvbazaar”. The remix kicks off Wright and Alinka’s new monthly party at Berlin Nightclub Chicago, Twirl!, which will be the second Thursday of every month. The scoop on Twirl! is that it’s more than just a standard party; it’s an open invitation to experience the attitude and energy that defines a dance movement, which all are welcome to join. As they say at Berlin, they don’t just spin records and dance at this event – they twirl! Check out the free SSION remix to get a flavor for how the duo plans to keep attendees voguing and twerkin’ throughout the night." - Broke Hipster
"Happy Friday SOTW Readers - How about a FREE DOWNLOAD to get your weekend started? Yeahhh just for you lucky readers. Download a music collaboration with Shaun J Wright (Hercules and Love Affair), and Alinka (Shuteye) they put their own spin on SSION, " Luvvbazzar." More good news is, they also are having a new event at one of our fave spots Berlin Nightclub, Twirl!" - Stic of The Week
"Shaun J Wright (Hercules And Love Affair), Alinka (Shuteye), and Mr. White have come together to kick off Twirl!, the new monthly party at Berlin, with rotating hosts, this month hosted by Sissy Spastik. Twirl! features an ongoing online mix series with mixes from its residents and will have guest mixes to showcase in the future. All the mixes are free downloads on the Twirl! soundcloud. Additionally Twirl! will offer ‘Mystery Blends’ and official remixes like the one above! Check it."
- UR Chicago
"It's rare that find a duo as perfectly matched as Elysia Hang-Fu and Alena Ratner when they come together as Shuteye. Elysia is a talented singer/songwriter and Alena is a veteran producer and accomplished DJ. Together they make something all their own, but well grounded in electro-pop." - The Deli - National
"Born out of the tundra from continents a half a world apart, Shuteye is an electronic pop band that reaches to go beyond the cliche’s of dance music. The duo’s pop sound brings the best of the house anthems and converges them with gorgeous and catchy melodies, while still keeping an edge." - Monster Products - Social Monsters
"Chicago is known for cultivating talent. We’ve seen countless stars rise out of our local theater, comedy and music scenes. So much so that it’s sometimes hard to catch these talented folk while they’re still on the “local” level. That’s what I attempted to do with a Shuteye, a poppy, electronic Chicago-based female duo." - Do312
When you mix two weaving vocal harmonies, a plinking piano melody, and minimal drums, you get Shuteye. It’s a combination that works in strides. This is the music to those dreams you have about flying over the ocean with the dolphins and whales. Wait; you do have those right? - The Burning Ear
Watch our interview with The Qu! - The Qu
File Under: Electro-lounge, chillwave, trip-pop
From: Sweet home Chicago
For Fans of: Ladytron, Massive Attack, Sneaker Pimps, a poppier Austra, Active Child, lychee martinis, fog machines, Skins Season 2, Telepathe, chemistry (the science), haikus, shoe shopping. - Afterellen.com
Discography
The Crystal Ark - Paradise (Shaun J. Wright & Alinka Twirl Remix) (2013)
Hi Fashion - Eighteen (Shaun J. Wright & Alinka Remix) (2013)
SSION - Luvvbazaar (Shaun J. Wright & Alinka Twirl Remix) (2013)
Shuteye - Hush Hush LP (2012)
Shuteye Music - SM003
Shuteye - Sun Night Sky EP (2011)
Shuteye Music - SM001
Shuteye - Hearts And Stones (2012)
Shuteye Music - SM002
Area DJ Records - AREADJ25 (2005)
DJ Alena - My Arrival
Igloo Music - IGR008 (2003)
DJ Alena - Shizo
Guided Methods - Hangin' out in the park EP
Greenhouse Recordings - GHR003 (2004)
Rollin Deep - DJ Alena's Rollin Remix
DJ Alena - My Style Goes Bleep EP
Greenhouse Recordings - GHR006 (2004)
D'lectable - DL001 (2004)
Taste of Chicago EP
DJ Alena - Lack of Sleep
D'lectable - DL004 (2004)
Deep Ending EP
DJ Alena - Boom Boom
Photos
Bio
ALINKA fell in love with House Music in the 90’s like many growing up in Chicago. She began collecting records and DJing in the year 2000. By 2001, Alinka landed the opening slot at Justin Long’s reknowned .Dotbleep night at Smart Bar, which she was a regular at until 2009. She began producing music in 2003, releasing a multitude of tracks on labels such as Igloo Recordings, Greenhouse, D’Lectable and Smart Bar’s Area DJ Records. In 2004, Alinka began touring globally, playing gigs throughout the U.K. and Europe.
Over the course of her 13-year career, Alinka has played alongside a wide array of artists, including: Mark Farina, Jesse Rose, Claude VonStroke, Toro Y Moi, Derrick Carter, DJ Heather, Peaches, Kim Ann Foxman, Crystal Castles 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 the successful Chicago monthly, Nü: The Outer Space Disco Dancing Society of Chicago at Neo.
The last two 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.
Beyond her collaborations with Wright, she has a multitude of new releases and remixes in the works. Her track, “Something New,” released on NBD Music Co., has garnered support from Tensnake, DJ Mes, and Moonboots. Alinka's 'Basic' EP which features remixes from Lil' Mark, and Lauren Flax, will be out this summer on Get Up Recordings. Her most recent remixes include Eli Escobar’s track Anotha Luv for Get Up Recordings, and Asher Diamonds’ Got to Know for NBD Music Co.
Band Members
Links
