Smokin' Jo on NastyDirtySexMusic, Trade and Tony Humphries.

How and where did you meet Tim Sheridan, the other half of Nastydirtysexymusic?

"We metin Ibiza about 5 years ago on a mad bender to Manumission, Carry On and Bora Bora, and I thought he was a bit of a nutbag!"

Why ‘NastyDirtySexMusic’?

"It really just describes the music, that's it really. It's not a new genre as all the music we play is house or electro, it just has the same elements - bass heavy, nasty vocals and twisted sounds."

The NastyDirtySexMusic Ibiza beach parties are now legendary. What made you two start it and how did you find the venue?

"We wanted to do our own thing and play tunes we couldn't play in some of our regular venues, and also bring back that free vibe to Ibiza. We found the venue in the winter which was down the road from my house. It was illegal which is why we were shut down, but it was the perfect setting of a small restaurant on a terraced beach, what more could you want?! We put a killer system in and away we went."

What do you love about Ibiza and what do you hate about it?

"I love the island itself really, the vibe, beaches, hills, food and people. I hate the way they are starting to build far too many new apartments and houses. The point is, Ibiza is still very rural and they may turn it into a concrete jungle if they aren't careful."

You’ve been in the music industry over fifteen years. How has it evolved for you and did you expect to still being doing this in 2005 when you started out?

"I did not still expect to be doing this now, I only got into for a laugh really and for the love of it. For me it's been a rollercoaster ride, really it has. I've blinked and missed the past 15 years because it's flown by, but it's been such an amazing experience. To be there at the start with all those warehouse parties, through to mega clubs, festivals, international clubbing and now back to warehouses. All in all, it's pretty damn cool."

When are you next playing in the UK?

"I just played at Club Circus in Liverpool and Friday 22nd July and is the second instalment of my own night called NUDE at The Key in London which I co-promote with Terry Hart from Drama/ Go'zilla. It's completely nuts, we had Skin from Skunk Ananasie DJ an eclectic set last time."

Tell us more about starting out as a DJ and the Trade days?

"It was my first big break and I'd only been playing for 8 months. I stood in for a DJ who was ill, rocked it and ended up getting his job! The whole 3 years I was there was the most amazing experience ever. House music was still fresh and new and Trade being the only afterhours club was full of every DJ, promoter, freak and clubber, gay, straight, trannies the lot! I had a ball and things just snowballed form there really. That was '91 and in '93 I won DJ Mags DJ of the year. I got booked for every kind of party which was lucky as most people only play one scene where as I was doing raves, fashion events, gay nights, and straight clubs up north."

Who was the first DJ to really inspire you, and where were you?

"There were a few. Tony Humphries, Colin Favour and Kid Batchelor. I was at Sunrise, a rave in the countryside when I heard Colin, and it just blew me away. Also Tony, he was at a club in London and his music was just so soulful and funky I danced all night."

You won Mixmag’s DJ of the Year Award and are the only woman to have ever done so. Do you think it’s harder if you are woman to taken seriously as a DJ?

"Yes it is. People still look at you and decide if you're good looking or not first, then they listen, but men just don't really respect women anyway. We are not on the same level in their minds, but you know what? I couldn't care less. I do it for love, not for awards and it's all bollocks anyway."

You’ve played at a variety of events such as the Pet Shop Boys’ end of tour party, Grace Jones concert, Jamiroqaui's tour parties and Alexander McQueen’s after-show parties. What’s been the best event / party you ever DJ’d at and why?

"Trade, Space in '93, and our Nastydirtysexmusic opening and closing parties last year. They were just so mental."