Jo's love affair with music began well over 10 years ago when she worked at Flying Records in Soho alongside Rocky and Mark Wilkinson. With those two problem kids either side of her, Jo couldn't help but get the bug for DJing and convinced Mark to teach her how to mix. Initially I just wanted to learn how to mix, I never thought it would lead to DJing', says Jo.
Take those famous last words and add on gigs as far a field as Moscow, Singapore, Italy, Johannesburg, Germany, America, Ibiza and of course all over England (Cream, Ministry Of Sound, Back 2 Basics, The Zap in Brighton) and you now have a one Miss Jo Mills, international superstar DJ.
During this time Jo's played her trademark of solid percussive, sexy, twisted house music with soul,' alongside some of the best DJs in the world (David Morales, Sneak, Terry Farley, Deep Dish, Paul Oakenfold, Tony Humphries...) She's also gained a pretty credible fan club, which includes the likes of Pete Tong, who's just bestowed the honour of an Essential Mix for Radio One upon her and Danny Tenaglia, who personally invited Jo to guest at his night, Be Yourself at New York's Vinyl club in 2000.
Jo who in 2006 married her partner, Charlie Chester (yes the very one!) has set up base around the world from a converted barn in Shropshire however; her second home is undoubtedly Ibiza, where each summer she woos the hedonistic party crowds and Singapore in the winter for her residency at the fabulous Attica.
Her reputation as one of the nice lasses in the business is down to not only her talent and no nonsense attitude but also her ability to get right on down and mucky with the rest of us on the dance floor. And you'd expect nothing less from someone who's about to get hitched to the maddest of them all Charlie Chester and someone who hangs around with Dave Beer, (just don't ask her what his nick name for her is!)
Jo's work schedule doesn't just stop at the ones and two's, Miss Mills is also a dab hand in the studio, having previously released material under the moniker of Pyroclastic and Ginger Grooves. However, Jo has recently teamed up with Steve Butler to form remix outfit, Hill Sixty. Their first offering will be Soul Taker on Azuli's offshoot, Anodyne, which is set for release in early 2002.
Other collaborations in the pipeline include working with fellow party animal, Barry Dub Pistol' Ashworth. Barry and I are very like minded musically when it comes to DJing and have some strong ideas. I'm really looking forward to getting something down on paper next year. I've got a feeling that we'll work well together.'
There's also an interesting change in direction for Jo, as she strays off the path of dance music (just for a bit mind!) and joins forces with New York band, Lucky, fronted by Mindy K to experiment in the area of contemporary band music.
As previously mentioned Jo has been invited to do an Essential Mix for Radio One, hence being recognized as one of the best in her field. Those who have had the honor in the past have included the likes of Daft Punk, Basement Jaxx, David Holmes and Francois K; all of who have produced seminal mixes which are still being talked about today. I'm really excited about this and am looking forward to compiling a mix that demonstrates my DJing style,' says Jo.
So as Jo embarks on a new era, things are looking rosy for Mills in 2002. Following on from her Pacha 2001 summer mix album, which she did with DJ Pipi, Jo has also compiled the much anticipated, Circo Loco album with DJ Cirillo. We have compiled an ultra cool album of our like minded guests and DJs who have played keeping the family vibe the club is famous for,' sings Jo. The album, which was released on Fatboy Slim's Southern Fried imprint early this year, will be backed by a promotional world tour, taking in such cities as South America, Italy, Singapore, Kuala Lumpa, Australia and Hong Kong at the end of 2002.
Apart from touring Jo will continue her residencies at Belfast's Milk, Sugar in Lemington Spa and The Zap in Brighton as well as adding regular visits to Back 2 Basics in Leeds on her roster next to Pacha London.
close
