Tim Baresko talks about global collaborations, what drew him to Brazil, and how Drink Watch makes nightlife safer while he keeps the dancefloor grooving.
Tim Baresko has spent over ten years refining his groovy tech house sound. Born in Lille, France, he grew up on hip-hop and anything French. Now living in Brazil, it is safe to say that all of these places have influenced his journey. With releases on labels like CUFF, Defected, Toolroom, and Alok’s label Controversia, Tim clearly has been very busy with solo work and collaborations.
Tim has been touring quite a bit as well, recently finishing a stint in Asia that brought him to Bali, Kuala Lumpur, and Bangkok—and more shows coming up soon in Brazil and all around South America over the summer. When he’s not making music, he’s advocating for his best friend’s organization, Drink Safe. Bringing the message of safe and respectful nightlife to South America.
We had the chance to sit down with Tim Baresko and discuss some lessons he’s learned, his thoughts about collaboration, and his mindset. Read on for the full conversation,
Hey Tim, thanks for joining today. Let’s jump into it! You started out DJing in Lille, France, blending house and hip-hop. How did those early influences shape the music you make today?
Hello! Thanks for the invite! So yeah, growing up in Lille, I was exposed to all kinds of music, and that mix definitely shaped how I approach music production. I’ve always tried to bring a bit of rawness into house, keeping it groovy, simple, something to make people move.
You have released on labels such as CUFF, Defected, and Alok’s CONTROVERSIA. What lessons did those breakthrough moments teach you that still guide your career?
Each label has a different energy. With CUFF, it was like joining a family. Defected made me step up my game. CONTROVERSIA pushed me to try new things. All of it taught me to keep working, stay open, and keep evolving.
You moved to Brazil around 2020. What inspired that decision, and how has immersing yourself in the Brazilian scene influenced your production or your DJ sets?
I came to Brazil for a few tours and just fell in love with the vibe, the people, the energy, the music. It wasn’t planned at all, but I ended up staying. Being part of the scene here really opened my mind. There’s so much rhythm, so much feeling in Brazilian music, and that definitely started influencing my productions and my sets.
You have collaborated with artists across continents, such as Shiba San, Clyde P, and Gene Farris. What do you look for in a collaborator, and how do you blend different styles in the studio?
It’s all about feeling. If the vibe is right, the music flows. I don’t overthink it, I just want to connect, learn new stuff, and build something we’re excited about. Everyone I’ve worked with brings their own flavor, and I think that’s what makes collabs interesting.
Tracks like “Eu Decidi” and “Wiggle” showcase a blend of Brazilian, French, and Chicago house vibes. Can you talk us through your creative process when crafting those releases?
For those tracks, there was no real plan… as I said, collaborations are all about feeling. We made “Eu Decidi” with Chick’s Luv Us while they were touring in Brazil. One morning we woke up, started jamming on this idea, and then Barja showed up, wrote the lyrics, and recorded them straight away. Everything just flowed. Same with “Wiggle,” it started from a bassline with Juanito. We sent it to Gene Farris to try something on the vocal, and once we had that, we built the rest around it. I love blending different vibes and cultures without overthinking, just letting the groove lead!
You have played everything from intimate underground clubs to beach club festivals in Bali and Brazil’s Green Valley. Is there a club or festival that you dream of playing?
I’ve been lucky to play in some incredible places & venues, but yeah, there’s always room to go higher. I love discovering new scenes, so who knows, the next dream gig might be somewhere I haven’t even heard of yet.
Beyond music, you co-founded Drink Watch to improve nightlife safety. What motivated you to start that project, and how do you see it evolving alongside your career?
Drink Watch was created in France a few years ago by one of my best friends and his dad. I’ve always supported the idea, and they gave me the opportunity to bring it to South America. We are now producing in Brazil and launching here first. The goal is to keep making nightlife safer, more respectful, and more conscious. And if I can help push that message while touring, I’m all in!
Looking ahead, are there any dream collaborations or creative goals you are excited to explore next?
I’ve got a few dream collabs in mind, some are in the works already, so I can’t say too much yet! I’m also working on some other type of sound, outside of just club tracks… I just want to keep evolving and stay excited about what’s next.
Finally, just for fun, what ritual or pre-show habit do you swear by to get into the right headspace before a set?
I don’t really have a ritual or pre-show habit; I synchronize my USB sticks ten times—ever since the day I arrived at a show, and my USBs were empty. [Laughs]
