House Music Interviews - House Music Inyourface.com

Jo Mills Interview

Summer is fast approaching and Jo Mills is looking forward to the Ibiza season yet again. Already this year, her international diary has taken in Australia, Koh Samui, Thailand, Hong Kong, Dubai, Italy, Croatia, Germany & Romania, not forgetting regular appearances in the UK, but there's nowhere in the world that Jo loves more than Ibiza, and Jo can't wait to return to the island she calls home to get the season kicked off in style. This weekend before Ibiza opening parties all kick off Jo is performing at the Offical Dance Arena at Club DV8 for Birmingham Pride. We caught up with Jo to see whats she has been up to and what plans she has for Ibiza

Q: Your making your DV8 debut in Birmingham on 27th May headlining the dance arena, tell us a bit about that and what we should expect?
A: I am really looking forward to it I love Birmingham it's an ace city and Mardi Gras sounds like lots of fun!

Q: How old were you when you started playing?
A: Well I held my first mix at 21! I was working at flying records so i practiced every day to perfect it for a few months then got offered a residency at Club UK in Wandsworth.

Q: What or who is behind your musical inspiration?
A: I absolutely adore soul music such as Marvin Gaye, Barry White! Al Greene...... great song writing and music that reduces me to tears inspires me.

Q: How would you describe your sound?
A: House with a twist of the current trend... I have been djing for 15 years so have played every kind but my style always has musicality melodys and grooves to make people dance,that is my job after all!

Q: "What plans do you have for La Troya? And what is it like being at Space now instead of Amnesia?
A: There's no change with La Troya this year. It will be all Wednesday night at Space and we hope it will be a great success this year too. Space at this moment is the best club in the world. The sound, the people, the atmosphere - there's nothing like it in the world.

Q: What one track never fails?
A: I haven't played it for a while but Frankie Knuckles i need your love will never fail.... Still gives me goosebumps.

Q: What have been up to recently?
A: Well..... I have had a crazy djing schedule playing all over Europe, I have been fortunate enough to play some amazing venues in Italy, Croatia, Dublin etc. I have also been playing regularly for Azuli and joined London's top Italian night Vertigo as a resident in February.

Q: You're a bit of a legend in Ibiza, Where is your favourite place to play?
A: The newly designed space terrace is brilliant to play on, the sound system is amazing and the space looks really sleek but edgy I love the new look. To be honest anywhere in Ibiza is good to play.

Q: You were named best electro DJ in Ibiza last year. What can we expect from you this year ?
A: Well I intend to make my mark at Azuli Fridays at space as I did with my 5 year residency at Circo loco. I have an even busier schedule than last year playing all over Europe with Italy at least twice a month.

Q: Who is you top tip for 2007?
A: I play regularly for SOMEWHERE in Norwich and Ricky Cox who is the promoter and resident dj is my top tip he is definitely one to watch. His parties are excellent as well.

Q:What ingredients make a good party?
A: The people! On a DJ tip having the night warmed up correctly is so important as I feel it's a story so it needs a start middle and end!

Q: What's your favourite tune?
A: Simon Baker - confused (Viva Music) Steve Lawler's label - every track has been awesome and I still play the hole catalogue I think this is release 5.

Q: How about your own production, what have you been up to?
A: I have been back in the studio with my 4 tune 500 partner Matti Schwartz. We have written a new track called "Gotta Believe" with Glyn Cosford on vocals.Last summer I met Glyn outside Savannahs and he gave me a demo Cd and I loved his voice so we got him in to record with us. .

Q: Who would be part of your fantasy crowd?
A: Marvin Gaye, Barry White all my soul hero's, Madonna, Mary j Blige, Kate Moss and all my fabulous friends .....

Q: Where's your top Country to play?
A: Need you ask...... Ibiza!

Q: Where's the weirdest place you've played?
A: When i first started out and was pleased to play anywhere! I played at a Valentines party in a hotel in Turkey with the Happy Clappers, it was in a big function room brightly lit with tables dressed in white table cloths and big hearts everywhere more like a wedding! It was awful! The crowd, mainly the men didnt dance just stared at us it was very strange.....and we got knocked!

Q: If I wasn't a DJ I'd be?
A: On the stage! I would love to be in a musical like Chicago .....

You can catch Jo Mills on Bank Holiday Sunday 27th May at Club DV8 1pm-8pm