Introducing: Messie

After explosive opening sets for Fred Again.., a sold-out tour across Aotearoa, and an energy that could power a dancefloor for days, MESSIE is on a serious rise. Known off-stage as Tessa Hills, the Wellington-based DJ grew up in small-town Gisborne – a drummer first, and now one of the most dynamic names in New Zealand’s electronic scene.

Her sets are bootleg-heavy, genre-fluid, and unapologetically high-octane – one moment you're deep in breakbeat, the next you're screaming along to a Y2K throwback. With influences ranging from queer club culture to grime, baile funk, and early 2000s rap, MESSIE is creating space for bold, sweaty, inclusive dancefloors – and she's just getting started.

We caught up with her to talk iconic crowds, underrated producers, her love for ambient music, and what it was really like sharing the stage with Fred Again…

Favourite crowd you’ve ever played to?

MESSIE: “Coroglen Tavern – no question. It was this tiny, packed venue in the middle of rural NZ, and everyone there was just locked in. That night had such a raw, electric energy – it was my first time opening for Fred and the vibe was just unreal.”

What track do you keep going back to in your sets right now?

MESSIE: Redlight's KW griff edit of his own track ‘Get Out My Head’ that he sent me. That tune is ridiculous, like it just flips the room instantly. It’s bouncy, chaotic, and exactly the kind of energy I love to throw in.”

Most underrated producer out there?

MESSIE: “Gaszia. His sound design is insane – so layered, super creative. Also Burna, he’s making really clean, powerful stuff that slaps live. Both of them are flying under the radar right now but doing serious damage.”

What's your favoruite remix at the moment?

MESSIE: “I’ve got two I’m obsessed with – the ‘Von Dutch’ remix I did with Caru, which is such a fun one to play out. And then that grimey 212 edit by Clear The Floor – absolute carnage in the best way.”

How was it playing alongside Fred Again?

MESSIE: “Honestly? Life-changing. The Coroglen show was already a dream, but then Fred flew me out to Perth to open in front of 35,000 people. That whole experience just blew my mind – such a surreal, full-circle moment.”

What’s an influence of yours people might be surprised by?

MESSIE: “Ambient music. When I’m not in club mode, I love listening to really atmospheric, slow, textural stuff – it helps me reset. Growing up a drummer, I’ve always been obsessed with rhythm, but ambient lets me focus on space and mood in a different way.”