It’s Gonna Get Loud Around Here: Lee Tunnicliffe Joins iamCrü
Hang out the bunting! The lovely Lee Tunnicliffe joins iamCrü today as Client Relations Director. It’s a proper coup for the expanding iamCrü team.
A well-known, well-loved character in Dubai, Lee Tunnicliffe brings a wealth of experience to the role. A genuine people person with an outgoing personality, Lee’s strength lies in building and maintaining client relations across a variety of sectors. It helps that she’s passionate about music, too.
From Glenmavis, near Glasgow, Scotland, Lee landed in the UAE seven years ago. Experienced in print, radio and digital media, she is a forward-thinking brand solutions strategist. With Lee Tunnicliffe onboard, it’s about to get loud around here.
Naturally, we want to embarrass Lee with a little initiation interview…
“When I arrived in Dubai, I thought…
I’d made a mistake. The city was – and is – amazing. But for the first few weeks I still had doubts. I was directed to champagne and sparkler type clubs, which aren’t really my thing. But I soon found likeminded people and nightlife that was more up my street – Analog Room, Decibel, Deep Like, Globalfunk, Bassworx, Plus Minus, Groove on the Grass, Blue Marlin Ibiza UAE. I was much happier when I discovered Dubai’s underground scene.
“Previously, I worked at…
Hype magazine for a super fun three years, making lots of friends along the way. Next, I was appointed Senior Sales Manager at Dance FM, the UAE’s first dance music radio station. Then I moved to Ibiza Global Radio UAE for a short time. However, things were brewing with iamCrü and I knew this was where I would ultimately end up.
“I joined iamCrü because…
I love that everyone in the team has the same creative vision. They are a hardworking, likeminded bunch of music heads fiercely passionate about the brand. Most of all, they are trustworthy. It’s incredibly important for me to trust and respect the people I’ll be spending most of my time with. Moreover, iamCrü is fresh, with great content you won’t find on other media platforms. The short- and long-term plans for iamCrü are really exciting.
“My fancy Client Relations Director title means…
I will be building the iamCrü community and supporting the music and nightlife scene in the UAE. Through a consultative approach, I’ll connect brands to their target audience in fun and imaginative ways that really hit the mark. Clients will not only see value for money, they’ll become part of our family as we grow together.
“My earliest raving memory is…
going to Rezerection, at the Royal Highland Centre, just outside Edinburgh, for my 15th birthday. It was 1995 and I was into hardstyle/gabba/happy hardcore. Thankfully, my music taste has matured since then. I think Lenny Dee, Paul Elstak and Grooverider were on the line-up. When the gig finished at 8am, my mum was waiting outside the venue to give me a ride home. She had a packed breakfast waiting for me in the car.
“In Scotland, my regular clubbing haunt was…
the Sub Club, in Glasgow. The ‘Subby’ will always hold a special place in my heart. Low ceilings, an ear-bashing soundsystem, sweat dripping off the walls and the best local and international DJs – I still get goosebumps when I think of nights in there.
“I also loved The Arches, in Glasgow, especially the Pressure parties on the last Friday of every month. Sadly, The Arches closed a few years ago. We Scots get pretty misty eyed when we talk about The Arches.
“My best festival experience was…
the Playground Camp at Burning Man. Everyone should experience Burning Man at least once in their life. It’s in the middle of Black Rock desert, Nevada, and it’s off the scale. I was completely awestruck for the first few days, trying to take everything in. My highlight was Carl Cox’s Purple Disco party, which kicked off at sunrise. A good friend stayed awake all night to make sure I woke up at 6am and didn’t miss it. It was truly one of the most epic mornings of my life.
“My worst festival experience was…
at Gatecrasher Summer Soundsystem, sometime in the early 2000s. The festival was fab but I lost all my mates and missed the bus from Northamptonshire home to Scotland. I had to navigate the 340-mile journey home via a series of trains – while wearing a blue PVC jumpsuit.
“My ideal DJ line-up would be…
Glasgow’s finest, Slam. I would love for a local promoter to bring them here. I’ve also been obsessed with DJ Hell since my teens. And last but not least, the most loved man in the electronic scene, Carl Cox. He never disappoints.
“My ideal dinner guests would be…
the undisputed best voice in rock/grunge, Layne Staley from Alice in Chains. Sadly, he passed in 2002. I’d also invite Rage Against the Machine’s Zack de la Rocha, my most beloved front man of all time. He’s political, talented and fierce. Richard David James, better known as Aphex Twin, would also find a seat at the table. I love his inventive music and it boggles my mind how this nerdy dude from Cornwall became one of the most influential figures in electronic music. I would love to pick his brains.
“People might not know…
I lead a double life as a dance music fanatic and a rock chick. Don’t make me choose! I very rarely listen to electronic music at home. I love a bit of Tool, Alice In Chains or Puscifer with my morning coffee.
“The year ahead is going to be…
fun and exciting. I’m excited to see how the music and nightlife scene will evolve after Covid. People are desperate to go proper clubbing again. The energy on the dancefloor will be insane. And we’ll appreciate what we’ve missed.”
Also read: Trailblazers: Dance Music’s True Pioneers Go Deep and Personal
Main photo: Lee with Carl Cox at Burning Man
