DJ Paulette gets her best china out for one of her legendary 20 minutes gossip
Words by DJ Paulette
Today I am honoured to share my sofa with someone who (on her Twitter stream at least) considers herself simply as ‘DJ / Yogi / Foodie’. I however, know her as one of the fiercest and most iconic DJs to come out of the UK. This year is her 25th anniversary in the business so I am super happy to steal a twenty minute tea break when the editor is not looking and welcome Smokin Jo for a chat on my comfy sofa…
So first of all, Jo – would you prefer tea or coffee and how do you take that?
Builders tea with a teaspoon of honey and almond milk please, I do not drink coffee, drives me nuts.
Your name was inspired by the boxer Smokin Jo Frazier – the Olympic gold medallist and undisputed World Heavyweight Champion (only losing to Muhammad Ali and George Forman). Why did you choose this name and what does he represent to you? Is it possible that your career emulated his in any way?
I did not want to use my real name as I disliked it and thought it was boring. At that time a lot of DJ’s used nicknames ie. Jumping Jack Frost, Judge Jules, and I liked that idea, although I couldn’t think of anything good, a friend was into boxing and said Smokin Joe as a joke, as soon as I heard it I was like YES!! It was also the name of one of my fav records labels, Smokin’ records, so it fit me well I thought. I actually do not know much about the boxer I am sad to say, it was just a cool name for me to use.
Have you ever turned up to a gig where they have thought they have booked a man ? How did that go ?
Hahaha, well when I started I had a number one buzz haircut, and wear baggy tops, so I think they thought I was and I never questioned it. I did have a driver pick me up in Miami airport once who was expecting Smokin Joe Fraser to arrive, he was rather upset when I showed up.
Are you a boxing fan ? Did you get involved in commenting on the recent Floyd Mayweather fight ?
I do not have Sky Sports, so I did not watch it, I would have though. I used to do Muay Thai kick boxing for 4 years so I am interested in the sport.
With twenty five years DJing under your belt I suppose you could say that the club world has seen you grow up and grow into the role of an international superstar DJ. Did the girl you were then ever think or dream that you would have a career this amazing twenty five years later? Which have been the Top 3 clubbing highlights for you so far (clubs / parties)?
No I never dreamed that it would happen the way it did, it was a real rolllercoaster and happened so quickly for me, I guess I never took myself that seriously, I never had a manager, PA, label etc I just enjoyed being in front of the crowd and doing my thing, hard to choose 3, so many moments, my whole time at Trade was just crazy, stupid fun. I was just finding my feet as a DJ, so this holds a special place in my heart. Playing the early Puscha parties, being invited to play at Boys Own and Full Circle. Playing to 30,000 people at Tribal Gathering festival and having a whole crew from Trade turn up with a massive sign with my name on it awww! Travelling to Brazil, playing on Sugar Loaf Mountain in Rio watching the sun come up while I was playing, going to Ibiza in 1993 and playing Space, KU and Pacha. My time at We Love, playing the terrace at Space was so magical every summer as well as Manumission every Monday was without a doubt the most debauched club I have ever done. Supporting my idol Grace Jones on her UK tour date and winning DJ Magazines DJ of the Year in 1993!
Do you still love it?
Hell yes!
Is there any where in the world that you haven’t played where you would like to play?
Luckily I have played everywhere I could ever want to, except for Alaska, North and South Poles…. anyone fancy it?
You have a very strong relationship with Space in Ibiza. How did that come about?
A Spanish friend used to be a PR there in 93’, so he actually arranged my first gig there through Pepe, from then on I used to play regularly, and always opening and closings parties, then We Love took me on as a resident and I never looked back.
This year you will be playing for Defected’s sister party, ‘Glitterbox’ at Space Does this mark a musical departure for you ? What kind of set do you have in store for us there?
I have always played right across the board and I’m happy playing most styles as long as the tunes are good. I reckon I will be playing some kick ass house tunes, uplifting vocals and some classic tracks.
You launched your party ‘The Electric Tiger Cave’ with your good friend Skin (Skunk Anansie) in Summer 2014 at Ibiza Rocks Hotel at Pikes. What are your favourite moments from those parties? Who were your favourite guests?
We had a ball, I really loved Severino he is the sweetest man you could ever meet, but to be honest our resident Andy Baxter is such a brilliant DJ he is always my fav, the night he, myself and Tom Crane all played together was a lot o fun.
Both yourself and Skin are known for your fashion / model talents and the crowds at your parties are always very glamorous. How important is it for you to look good when you work?
It is not something I really think about too much, I always dress a certain way anyway so this applies behind the decks too, the music is more important of course.
In one of your tweets you wrote:
Fresh hair – Sherman Hair – Trèsemme products. How important is it for a female DJ to look good (and have a good hairdresser)?
Unfortunately we are expected to look more glamorous and groomed than our male counterparts, which is highly unfair; I once had a promoter email my agent the next day after a gig to say that I was not dressed up enough!!!
You have a glorious mane of hair now – when you look back at pictures of yourself with a shaved head do you ever think – what was I thinking or are you fiercely proud ?
No, I am proud of it, I would never go that short again but it did give me an edge and I think helped me to get respect purely on my music rather than how I looked.
Even though I know you appreciate fabulous shoes, I also know you as a slipper aficionado – which are your favourites and why?
Lol, Thinsulate –fluffy booties are my favs.
Back to the ‘Electric Tiger Cave’. When did the idea to move it to Shoreditch House in London come about and does this mean we will be seeing Electric Tiger Cave parties popping up at the different Soho House locations any time soon?
Not doing any more parties for now as Skin’s schedule is too hectic.
You’re not just about DJing, private member’s clubs, fashion and glamour. You have a very deep spiritual side: we have even bumped into each other in a yoga centre before now. Which discipline do you practise? Are you a Hatha / Bikram / Ashtanga or Kundalini yogi ?
I practice Vinyasa Flow and Hatha.
There are a few DJs who are quaiified to teach yoga – back in the naughties there was Rachel Auburn and more recently DJ Gina Turner (Laidback Luke’s wife) and now you have recently qualified as a trained teacher. I also know a ton of DJs who practise quite regularly – Why do you think DJs turn to yoga ?
I think anyone working in clubland needs to find something that is peaceful, quiet and calming; we would all go nuts otherwise.
What commitment has qualifying as a yoga teacher involved and how have you managed to fit it into your globe-trotting schedule ? Is there an end game to this – do you envisage mixing your yoga training in with actual DJ sets and sessions like Gina, is there another plan for it completely or is it just something you do to relax that could be useful later ?
My course was a relatively short 4 months, I had to do a lot of studying and written work and learn Sanskrit. I had to turn down quite a few gigs but it was definitely worth it. I see myself teaching yoga and yes using some cool music alongside, putting on some great yoga events/retreats and hopefully bringing yoga to people who may not of thought about doing it before. I will still DJ though, I am not giving up….no way.
Are you a traditional healing music Yogi or do you like to stretch to tech house tunes?
Not Tech house, but deep and melodic house yes.
Top 3 Sun Salutation Yoga tunes
1. Nu Yorican Soul – Black Gold of the Sun
2. Maya Jane Coles – Something in the Air (Bonobo Remix)
3. Vince Watson – Solitude
You’re also quite the fitness fanatic and I believe you’ve even done a bit lof mountain climbing – when are where was that ? Would you ever do it again ?
Oh no, not mountain climbing, I could never do that, I do not like heights, but I do like to test myself so I went trekking, I did a 3 week trek around the Annapurna circuit. It was the scariest, hardest and most spectacularly amazing thing I have EVER done. I would go again for sure, although at the end I vowed I would not. It is very dangerous and luckily I got through without any major dramas, I did get a bit of altitude sickness, which was awful. The rope bridges are not much fun either, but I highly recommend it as an experience of a lifetime. I just found out that my Sherpa was okay during the earthquake recently.
You got knocked off your bike recently when cycling around London. This is a big transport issue in the metropolis with fatalities reported. Do you wear the full cycling safety kit? What is your favourite cycling route and which tunes keep your cycling speed up on your ipod?
I do not wear a helmet, or have any bright safety gear, I am an idiot. But I do not listen to music when I cycle that is very dangerous. I like to stay on the back roads out of the buses way.
I had quite the giggle looking through your Twitter stream. You have a very dry sense of humour and also strong opinions on everything from Iphones, fancy sunglasses, turkish delight and the light at the end of the tunnel to black models LFW, Terry Richardson. Yet you have only posted 256 tweets in 5 years. How important is it to you to engage with your fans via Social media like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram?
Twitter is the page I use the least, I like social media as it helps you to connect quickly with fans and friends, but it drains your life and time away, Twitter is the one I find the least appealing, the whole thing is so narcissistic.
Are you a Snapchatter?
NO
Where can we hear you spinning in the Summer months?
So far, Space in Ibiza for Glitterbox, various gigs in London, Warehouse in Birmingham and O2 Bristol.
And what do the next 25 years have in store for Smokin Jo?
If I only knew, Music and Yoga, Sun and Laughter
Well Smokin Jo, I think you are an absolute knock out and an undisputed prize fighter. I and DMCWorld Online wish you the very best for the summer and the year ahead and we are watching in awe for what surprises you have in store for us over the years to come. You rock.
SMOKIN JO links…
https://www.facebook.com/djsmokinjo
http://soundcloud.com/josmokinjocom
Instagram: djsmokinjo
