No, not Naomi nor Tyra but perhaps someone with more talent and personality in my and many people’s eyes;Smokin Jo that is… Who was once signed-up by Storm Model Agency in their Celebrity Section and was the face of a major billboard campaign for the Sega video game Mortal Combat. But that’s not the case , more importantly she is a self taught DJ and producer , who has been spinning since 1991 …

Taking her stage name from the boxer Smoking Joe Fraser, Jo felt it provided ambiguity over an obviousy feminine name as at the time it was seen as a novelty to be a female DJ (how times change!) It’s thanks to women like Jo that these shifts in attitudes have taken place. Jo has been spinning in Ibiza since 1993 playing at Amnesia, Privilege, Space as well as infamous secret beach and villa parties. In 2004/5 Jo was rocking the planet as one half of the dance floor phenomenon that was NastyDirtySexMusic.

Jo’s international credibility has led her to work alongside numerous iconic figures in the world of music and fashion. She has DJ’d at The Pet Shop Boys end of tour party, a Grace Jones concert, Skunk Anansie’s album launch party, Jamiroqaui’s South African tour parties, as well as at fashion events for the likes of Alexander McQueen, Michiko Koshinos and Julian Macdonald.

On the production front Jo has been making serious waves through her moniker TRNSSTR (Transistor) alongside Pete Gleadall. After the success of their first single ‘Sausage Dog’ which was premiered at the WMC with remixes from Davide Squillace and Plasmik, the latest TRNSSTR single ‘As You Like It’ has been receiving glowing praise and support from the likes of Danny Tenaglia, Luciano and Anja Schneider. One thing’s for sure that with bags of energy and a wealth of experience to draw-on it seems Jo still has plenty up her sleeve for the months and years ahead!

Which one do you enjoy the most, Djing or producing?
Definitely dj-ing; I love the immediate buzz you get from the crowd the interaction the vibe. I must say I get quite frustrated being in the studio for days on end, but then again there is no greater buzz than playing your own tune and having everyone go mad to it.

Who is your all time musical hero?
Grace Jones! I just love her ‘f%*k you’ attitude, her sultry deep voice and her image. She is so strong and amazing, definitely a role model for me, and as for the music… I just love love love, Nightclubbing, it’s one of my favourite albums.

What’s the first record you bought?
DIANA ROSS - UPSIDE DOWN 7’

What’s more important. The mix or the next tune?
The tune. If the tune is shit and you mixed it in great then the tune is still shit; if you do a shit mix then at least the tune is still good (not that I do shit mixes btw!)

What’s the biggest crowd you’ve played to?
30,000 at Tribal Gathering in ’94; it was amazing and very scary. Also 25,000 in Buenos Aires in a huge tent by a lake that was so spectacular.

What’s the most ridiculous promotional thing you’ve done?
Spending £1000 on 60 nastydirtysexmusic t-shirts to give away in Ibiza. It was actually a really good promotion in the end and the feeling I got from giving away a really really nice t shirt was great, but they were just sooooooo expensive.

Where do you go out?
Mainly in Ibiza as most weekends I am gigging myself. I go to DC10 pretty much every Monday (sadly not this year) and to Coccoon, and what ever afters are going on. In London, if I have time I go to secretsundaze in the summer and anything special really. Soon I hope to go to a Minus contact show, sounds really interesting, I like to go to gigs where I can feel inspired.

Who is rocking your boat these days and who are your top tips for 2008? /What DJ’s and producers are doing it for you these days?
Dj wise I’d have to say Matthias Tanzmann, I just love his infectious deep house grooves. I’m really liking what Arpiar (Rhadoo/Pedro/Raresh) are doing and Luciano is still one of my favourite’s. I guess all three are more on a house tip and that’s what I feel is coming back around. Disco seems to be making a come back too, but underground disco, proper grooves and riffs, very cool.

What is the biggest amount of drugs you’ve ever been offered.
A rock the size of my fist in Sao Paulo…..

What’s the perfect holiday for you?
One where I’ve not got my records/CD’s with me, just a proper holiday with my boyfriend away from music and clubs, either on a beach somewhere remote, or in the mountains snowboarding. Or some place amazing like Nepal which I am going to visit in April to trek to Everest base camp!

Do you believe a good life is attainable? Or is it something that is out of our control i.e. subject to luck etc.
Oh yes 100%. I am a total believer in making your own luck, none of us got where we are today just by luck. If you want something hard enough and you work for it, then you can have what you wish for - the only thing holding you back is yourself and your willingness to believe.

What attracts you most?
Humility

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