More than music.

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Check Your Date

The soundtrack your celebration deserves.

Your day should be more than another event your guests sit through — it should be one they remember as one of the best they've ever been to. That doesn't happen by accident. It happens when someone reads the room, feels the moment, and plays exactly the right song at exactly the right time.

That's what I do. I'm Michael Tinio, and Behind The DJ Booth is built on a simple idea: the music should serve the moment, never steal it. No gimmicks, no cheesy mic work, no spotlight on the DJ. Just a seamless, elegant evening that flows — and a dance floor your guests don't want to leave.

Learn how I work →

Simple from first hello to last song.

Connect

We start with a relaxed conversation about the two of you, your vision, and your celebration. No pressure — just a chance to see if we’re the right fit.

Reserve your date

When you’re ready, a signed agreement and retainer hold your date. Clean, clear, and handled online.

Plan together

As your day approaches, we shape the timeline, the must-plays, the do-not-plays, and the moments that matter most — so every cue lands exactly as you imagined.

Celebrate

I arrive early, set up quietly, and dress to blend in with your guests. From there, all you have to do is be present and enjoy it.

Trusted by Southern California’s leading planners and couples.

Most of my couples come to me through someone they trust — a past client or a wedding planner who knows their celebration is in good hands. I’m proud to be a referred DJ for some of the region’s most respected planning and venue teams.

“Michael provided the most perfect soundtrack to the best day of our lives. My guests, my husband and I cannot recommend Behind the DJ Booth enough.”

— Vanessa, Wedding

“He had all of our guests dancing and enjoying themselves throughout the entire reception. His presentation skills during announcements were phenomenal — confident and engaging, never bored or cheesy. I would highly suggest hiring Michael for your next event.”

— Jordan, Wedding (Ramona)

“My wife and I knew how important the DJ is to a wedding, and Michael did an amazing job at ours. Always checking in on us months prior. Our guests loved his choice of music — he definitely set the mood right. We couldn’t have asked for a better DJ.”

— Andrew, Wedding

Reviews shared publicly on WeddingWire.

Let’s make your celebration unforgettable.

Check Your Date
Hear it for yourself

Meet Michael Tinio

I’m Michael Tinio — the founder, and the DJ you’ll actually work with.

I started Behind The DJ Booth in 2013, not long after planning my own wedding. I’d seen firsthand how most DJs approached the night — the constant tempo-pushing, the cheesy mic work, the playlist set in stone before they ever met the couple. I knew there was a better way: a DJ who reads the room, serves the moment, and disappears into the experience so the focus stays where it belongs — on you and your guests.

michael tinio dj

More than a decade and hundreds of celebrations later, that philosophy hasn’t changed. I bring professional-grade equipment, two turntables, and a deep, genre-spanning library — from jazz and soul to ’90s hip-hop, indie, house, and today’s top 40 — to every event. But the real craft isn’t the gear or the catalog. It’s knowing which song, at which moment, will move a particular room. I’ve always been able to read people through music, and I use that instinct all night long.

Because I take a limited number of events each year, the person you meet is the person behind the booth on your day. On the rare occasion I’m already booked, I’ll only ever refer you to a hand-picked DJ I trust to deliver the same experience — never a stranger from a roster.

“My couples and clients want their celebration to feel effortless and genuinely fun. My job is to read the room and deliver exactly the right song at exactly the right moment — so the night flows, and everyone remembers it.”
— Michael Tinio, Founder & DJ

Why couples choose me

  • You work directly with me — not a salesperson or a dispatcher.

  • I read the room live. No locked-in playlist; every night is built in the moment around your taste.

  • Discreet and polished. I dress to blend in, stay off the mic unless you want me on it, and keep the focus on you.

  • A trusted partner to planners. Clear communication, early setup, and every cue on time.

  • Fully insured, with redundant equipment so the night never skips a beat.

Check Your Date
When in Long Beach..play this song.
Diggin for 45s in Tokyo to add to the vinyl collection. First stop was Manhattan Records in Shibuya. Be prepared to spend a time finding the right musical souvenir to bring home. Most of it will be spent translating the artist and song names from
Diggin for 45s in Tokyo to add to the vinyl collection. First stop was Manhattan Records in Shibuya. Be prepared to spend a time finding the right musical souvenir to bring home. Most of it will be spent translating the artist and song names from Kanji/Katakana to English.
When in Long Beach..play this song.
Diggin for 45s in Tokyo to add to the vinyl collection. First stop was Manhattan Records in Shibuya. Be prepared to spend a time finding the right musical souvenir to bring home. Most of it will be spent translating the artist and song names from

Live Music

Dance Pop Mix

This is the first mix for Dellos Dance and Performing Arts.  It's mostly dance and house music with pop and indie rock remixes.  It's a great mix of genres for your workout or to get you through your workday.  Some of the artists include Marlena Shaw, Holy Ghost, Gigamesh, Rihanna, Robin Thicke, Martin Solveig and many others.  Press play below or download the song here. 

Michael Tinio Dance Pop Mix