Tiga James Sontag (born 18 September 1974), known simply as Tiga (/ˈtiːɡə/), is a Canadian musician, DJ, music programmer, and record producer. He has released three albums: Sexor (2006), Ciao! (2009), and No Fantasy Required (2016). The former won the 2007 Juno Award for Dance Recording of the Year. Tiga released a selection of compilations in the early 2000s, featuring mixes such as American Gigolo, DJ-Kicks: Tiga and, Mixed Emotions.[1] His compilation mix, Tiga Non-Stop, was released in November 2012, and premiered Tiga's latest single "Plush".[2] The mix also features tracks from artists such as Kindness, Duke Dumont and Blawan.
As a solo artist, Tiga released "Sunglasses at Night" with Finnish producer Jori Hulkkonen. The single reached number 25 in the UK Dance Chart. Other successful chart singles include "Pleasure From the Bass", "You Gonna Want Me" featuring Jake Shears, and his 2009 release "Shoes", co-produced with Soulwax and Chilly Gonzales.
Tiga was the host of the BBC Radio 6 Music show My Name Is Tiga, and made his acting debut in the 2010 film Ivory Tower. The film won special mention at the Locarno International Film Festival.
Tiga hosts a podcast titled Last Party On Earth, Season 1 in 2019 featured guests Annie Mac, Pete Tong, Carl Cox.[3]
Personal life
Tiga was born to hippie parents and spent part of his early life in Goa, India.[4] He also attended Selwyn House School in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.[5]
Career
1990s
In 1990 Tiga and a few friends started throwing small parties and street promotions in Montreal that evolved into a cult following.[6] Having bought DNA records in 1994, the nightclub SONA was then conceived in Montreal in 1996, with Tiga having a major role to play in the creation of the dance scene at the time.[7]
2000–2003
In 2001, Tiga entered the studio with producer Zyntherius to record a rendition of Corey Hart's solo song, "Sunglasses at Night." The track also made it to number two on the UK Dance Chart, number 23 on the UK National Singles Chart, number one on the MTV Dance Chart for over six weeks and was in the Top 20 on Germany's National Singles Chart. Tiga also performed "Sunglasses at Night" with Zyntherius on Top of the Pops.[8]
Tiga completed remixes for the likes of Martini Bros, Alpinestars, Linda Lamb, Crossover, FC Kahuna, Cabaret Voltaire, Telepopmusik, Felix da Housecat, Fischerspooner and Dannii Minogue in the years that followed the success of "Sunglasses at Night." In 2003, he commanded the attention of the scene with a mix CD for K7's legendary DJ-Kicks series.[7]
2006–2007
In 2006 Tiga released Sexor, Good As Gold/Flexible Skulls would go on to be featured in EA's Need For Speed Carbon, released October of that same year.
2008–2009: Ciao!
The release of Tiga's second album, Ciao! took place in 2009.
ZZT released their debut album, Party's Over, Earth on Turbo Recordings in 2011.
Tiga's 2013 song "Plush" (Jacques Lu Cont remix) and "Bugatti" is the radio station Soulwax FM and Los Santos Underground Radio featured in the best-selling video game Grand Theft Auto V.[citation needed]
2016: No Fantasy Required
In 2016, Tiga released his third album No Fantasy Required on Ninja Tune.[9]
Turbo Recordings
Tiga founded Turbo Recordings in Montreal in 1998. The label helped launch his own career,[6] at the same time as being central in the success of acts such as Chromeo, Proxy and Azari & III. Other names on the label include Jesper Dahlbäck, Gingy & Bordello, Jori Hulkkonen, Duke Dumont, Brodinski, Zdar, D.I.M, Martini Bros, Stu Thousand VI, Boys Noize and Sei A.[6]
Awards and nominations
Antville Music Video Awards
The Antville Music Video Awards are online awards for the best music video and music video directors of the year. They were first awarded in 2005.
Year
Nominee / work
Award
Result
2005
"You Gonna Want Me"
Best Video
Nominated
D&AD Awards
Design and Art Direction (D&AD) is a British educational charity which exists to promote excellence in design and advertising.
The Winter Music Conference (WMC) is a weeklong electronic music conference, held every March since 1985 in Miami Beach, Florida, United States.[11] It is also known as the premiere platform for electronic dance music. The conference brings together professionals such as artists, DJs, record label representatives (A&R), producers, promoters, radio and the media for seminars and panel discussions.[11] Thousands of attendees attend the Winter Music Conference each year.[11]
Year
Nominee / work
Award
Result
2010
"Shoes"
Best Electro Track
Nominated
2014
"Let's Go Dancing"
Best Tech House/Techno Track
Won
Best Underground Dance Track
Nominated
Himself
Best Techno/Tech House DJ
Nominated
2015
"Bugatti"
Best Indie Dance Track
Nominated
2016
"Dancing Again"
Best Tech House/Techno Track
Nominated
Juno Awards
The Juno Awards are presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music.
The UK Music Video Awards is an annual award ceremony founded in 2008 to recognise creativity, technical excellence and innovation in music videos and moving images for music.[14]
Year
Nominee / work
Award
Result
2009
"Shoes"
Best Dance Video
Nominated
2015
"Bugatti"
Won
Best Art Direction & Design
Won
Best Styling
Nominated
Best Editing
Nominated
My Name Is Tiga
“My Name is Tiga" is the name of Tiga's BBC Radio 6 show that features unreleased exclusive music and classic dance tracks. Tiga's broadcasting career began with the 90s CKUT terrestrial radio show "The Tiga and Gnat Show."[15]
Last Party On Earth
“Last Party On Earth" is the name of Tiga's podcast which launched in summer 2019 on Apple Music, Soundcloud and Spotify.[16]