Living life at its fullest is one of the greatest lessons I’ve learned. There were some dark times where we lost a lot of people we cared for deeply. Regardless, we were always having a lot of fun and the boys and I were drinking cosmos way before the Sex and the City girls ever got a hold of it. I was a part of a really loving group.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever played?

The Up and Down club during the Folsom Street Fair, which is the largest S & M festival in San Francisco. Nothing like playing music for boys in leather.

And the funniest thing that’s ever happened during your set?

One night I was playing somewhere and the bartender somehow disappeared, so the clubbers were getting a bit annoyed and the only thing I could do was to serve drinks myself. For an hour I was mixing drinks while running back to the DJ booth to mix records. By the way, I kept all my tips.

Describe your preferred style of music to spin.

Bootyhouse, which is one of the hottest styles of house music in the US. Imagine R&B bass lines and rhythms under house melodies and vocals and you’ll get the idea. It’s perfect for booty shaking and I just love music that gets you moving. I come from a dance background and for me it's about how the music makes your body feel.

Compare Hong Kong audiences to San Francisco’s.

For one thing, we have a 2am cut off for alcohol here in San Francisco. But seriously, I love people who love to dance wherever I'm spinning. I enjoyed my time in Hong Kong during the summer but it wasn't until I found Volume that I really felt like I could come back and live here. The boys there made me feel so welcome and special. The groove of the place really reminds me of my favourite haunts in San Francisco.

Tina Z plays Volume’s New Year’s Eve party, Wed 31, 10pm-late, $100.