We sent Jojo De Freq to meet Karlsimposter at the Hales Gallery in Bethnal Green to see the Trevor Appleson exhibition. We honestly had no idea what a complete psycho he is and we are very glad she came through the experience alive.

I fumbled with the lighter in my pocket and stared directly into the bucket of ice before me, desperately trying to sooth the fire within. A bottle of beer waved a greeting in front of my face. I accepted the complimentary beverage and took a gulp.

“Are you from Don’t Panic?”

I turned to see Jojo De Freq peering at me quizzically in her stylish, synthetic (very flammable) black cardigan. I introduced myself and got straight into the interview, aiming to get it over and done with before the sweating started and the fever took a hold again.

The voices!

On show at the Hales Gallery were a collection of photographs by South African artist Trevor Appleson called Los Loss. Taken only at dawn or dusk, the pictures focussed on the trials and tribulations of day-to-day life in modern Mexico - portraits of Mexican dudes staring wistfully off into the distance; face-painted wrestlers destroying a small café; boxers breaking eggs; dead pigs in the dust. Jojo didn’t seem particularly inspired. I wondered if I had brought my can of lighter fuel with me. Perhaps that would set things alight.


Hmmm... some guys in hats

In an attempt to silence the little voices that my psychiatrist told me that I shouldn’t speak to, I began talking frantically. Jojo has been DJing electro for years and has been resident at Nag Nag Nag at the Ghetto since, like, forever. I asked her about Nag Nag Nag and the effect the fashionistas had on the proceedings back in the day. What was it like dealing with people coming down for the ‘scene’ rather than the music?

“We were getting faxes from big name designers with huge guest-lists and we didn't even know them. We were never about that. We never had a foot in that kind of world. It was a bit shocking, but it was funny I suppose.” As she was talking all I could think about were flames licking her cheeks, wrapping themselves about her fingers, burning, burning, BURNING!!

A dead pig.

 

I don’t know if Jojo sensed my inner turmoil. Perhaps she saw the danger, but for reasons unknown she started talking fast - distracting me long enough to preserve her life a little longer. I asked her whether she considered herself a risk taker or if she followed a certain formula to create her music. She conceded that she used to take huge amounts of risks but then had to spend time toning it down. These days she’s achieved a balance, where she knows beforehand of the mix that’s required, with a specific amount of experimentation and frivolity allowed.

This is basically a messy backyard

I felt my restraint slipping. The voices in my head could not be ignored much longer.  I would have to immolate someone soon, whoever was nearest. I felt slightly sorry for Jojo. She did have a lovely fringe and her new Miss Kittin remix has just been released on Mythic Records. She gazed at me – utterly unaware of her impending fate. My left hand found the can of insect spray in my jacket and my right flicked open the Zippo. I would have to be quick. This particular brand of bug spray was ridiculously flammable, as my neighbour’s parakeet found out.

The flames... the flaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaames.

Then - “I feel drawn to this one,” Jojo said pointing at the picture of the crumpled Spongebob piñata in a small bonfire – a beautiful, flickering, sputtering bonfire. “Me too,” I said, the red flames in the frame quenching the thirst of my sweltering soul.  “Yes,” I said, feeling at ease with the world once again. “This one is quite… good.” She will never know how close she came (Ed - Unless she reads this article, you nut job).
Jo Jo’s new Miss Kitten remix has just been released on Mythic records. You can check out an exclusive mix by Jo Jo right here. Enjoy!