I’d been happily following Tinzo & Jojo Lorenzo since attending a Book Club Radio show in New York this summer. Their sets have blown up on YouTube, with some DJs and music artists referring to them as “Boiler Room 2.0.” Tinzo & Jojo Lorenzo have a good concept going on in Book Club Radio, trying to emulate a world before phones, or how they see an ideal experience on a night out: no phones, not facing the DJ, just hanging out and dancing with each other. Given the rise in phone addiction, I think it’s crucial to create those intentional spaces where phones aren’t allowed.
Unlike their Book Club Radio events, which typically take place in smaller, closed rooms, the 9:30 club is much more spacious and allows for a whole crowd of people with a balcony on top. Tinzo was fitted out in a fairy-like fit, with her long purple hair done up in pigtails; Jojo Lorenzo posed with effortless curls and a chill demeanor. They had a Goldfish bag on the DJ table that they crunched on between manning the DJ set.
The bass beat pulsated through the club; you could hear every single vibration through the crowd. I was standing at the balcony at the show, looking down at the crowd forming and enjoying themselves without a hint of electronics. I got a vague image in my head that this was like how the ancient Greeks or Romans partied without words, phones or other distractions: just with music, sounds, vibrations, and other people.
Tinzo & Jojo Lorenzo’s music and clubbing philosophy takes a refreshingly humble approach to their performances – they want audiences experiencing their parties with the focus purely on the music rather than on them as DJs. People were grooving and dancing with each other rather than all facing one direction. Tinzo in particular brought a memorable perspective to her artistry, taking musical inspiration from her background as a queer Filipino-American artist. Her sets blend elements of indie dance, house, and soul, creating a distinctive musical landscape. What stood out to me is how she tends to pair raw lyrical honesty with uplifting, spirited production. This combination allowed her to create a uniquely intimate connection with her listeners – at once personally vulnerable and universally relatable.
What struck me most was their confidence in pleasing the crowd without needing to put on much of a front. In the traditional concert layout, the performer is expected to say a few words addressing the audience or explain the music: there wasn’t a need for that here. Tinzo & Jojo Lorenzo had an intuitive sense for the crowd’s desires, but still preserved their artistry and personal tastes. They continue their dial up tour through other American cities, which you can view here, or Book club radio, which you can view here.
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