Those familiar with Portland's Temporal Sounds have come to rely on the party's lush, melodic aesthetic. True to form, Temporal Sound's Tales of the Deep on October 5th is no exception, featuring forward-thinking German acts LENI and Gina Sabatini.
Amidst a world tour, and the launching of their club project ost:end, we wanted to offer you the opportunity to get to know our visitors a little better ahead of their appearance.
Tickets to the event can be found here.
What inspired you to begin DJing? What else was going on for you at that time?
LENI: I grew up in a small town in Germany, and when I was younger, there wasn't much going on in terms of parties. Because we were missing that, my group of friends and I started organizing our own parties, which eventually became quite successful. At that time, my ex-boyfriend was already DJing, and later on, he taught me as well. I ended up having my first B2B gig with him at a festival not long after.
That's when I realized how much I really enjoyed it and decided to stick with it. Then COVID hit, and there weren't really any gigs, so during that time, I started making a lot of podcasts for different labels on SoundCloud and received a lots of positive feedback.
Since then, everything has developed quite organically, and I've played in several clubs and at many festivals in Germany, and I've also had the opportunity to travel internationally.
Gina Sabatini: My dear friend MIMIZAN and one special Afterhour at a Berlin Wedding.
How would you describe the music you play to someone who may not be familiar with your sound?
Gina Sabatini: That’s a very complex question. For me, it’s hard to put music into words. Of course, there are genre boundaries, but you only truly understand them when you hear the music live, dance to it, and experience it emotionally. In the end, my sound—whether faster or slower—is always about the groove and my current emotional state, which is reflected in every one of my sets.
LENI: I would say that in terms of genres, my style is mainly influenced by Deep House and Melodic Techno. However, I combine a lot of different genres depending on what fits well together. What people often notice is that I tend to play very long transitions, which creates an aesthetic flow at times. I originally started with Downtempo, but these days I mostly play at a faster pace. But it also depends on the event and the vibe.I often get feedback that it's easy to get immersed in my sound, especially when listening to my set from start to finish to get the whole journey. People also say that, at times, it sounds feminine and sexy, which is kind of nice I think.
Can you share about what influences your music? Are there any non-musical influences?
Gina Sabatini: Personal experience plays a huge role in shaping my music. Like many artists who turn their personal struggles, relationships, and growth into their music—think of how they reflect heartbreak and emotional journeys—I also draw heavily from my own life. Emotions like love, self-doubt, joy, and reflection naturally blend into my creative process, adding depth beyond just melodies or rhythms. Good club parties also inspire me, as they are the place where energy, connection, and music come alive. My dad has also influenced me and continues to shape me with his musical knowledge and great taste.
LENI: I think my music is mostly influenced by my current mood and emotions that drive me, but also by the parties I play at and what I imagine the vibe could be like. But it's always very much "go with the flow“.
In your words, can you tell us about your project ost:end?
The "ost:end" is our new club project in Leipzig, Germany. We bought a property where we're gradually building the club. Right now, we're still missing a few permits to fully get started, but things are moving forward. With this project, we want to contribute to the Leipzig (and Berlin) scene and also counter the increasing number of club closures in Germany. Additionally, we offer plenty of space on the property for creative projects in various fields, giving everyone the opportunity to bring their ideas to life. We‘re super excited to see this project evolve in the future!
We’re looking forward to having you in Portland! Is there anything you’d like to say ahead of your visit?
We‘re super excited to come to Portland and celebrate with you :-)
Follow LENI here:
Follow Gina Sabatini here: