SAMMY JO may currently be juggling an international DJ’ing schedule, interviews and appearances as Scissor Scisters' official Tour DJ, but CAMILLA JONES still manages to steal 10 minutes with NYC’s turntable king.

CJ: So first up – how did you get into DJ’ing?

SJ: I started out playing in friends’ bars here in the East Village in the late ‘90s and then a club called Mother actually asked me to do a weekly party called Messy and the rest is….

CJ: I believe you met Jake from Scissor Sisters at a Click + Drag party. What kind of projects did you work on together before he joined the group?

SJ: Well, he had already formed the band when I met him but it was still a duo, Ana [Matronic] was just about to become a full member. We would play at the same parties all over downtown New York, usually some silly artsy costume ball.

CJ: Did you ever think about, or have the opportunity to be in a group? Or are you more of a ‘solo’ kind of guy?

SJ: I’ve never thought about it but I could see myself collaborating with someone. I tend to work best that way. I’ve never been someone who has to make it all about themselves. I actually prefer to deflect attention to others.

CJ: What do you think of the Scissor Sisters’ music and the success they’ve achieved?

SJ: It’s kinda brilliant because here are these misfits from misfit island who somehow made the outside world open its mind and change what is viewed as popular music. If this bunch of freaks can make it I think there’s still hope for the planet!

CJ: What has it been like so far touring with the Scissor Sisters?

SJ: It has been amazing. We’re kind of like the circus when we go on the road all together. Although now we’re the circus with fierce catering. Everyone has their own peculiar routines and strange rituals, like don’t ever try to get off the bus before Del. Eek!

CJ: Loads of our celebrity trash magazines show Samantha Ronson and Lindsay Lohan mucking about in the DJ booths. So, from the horse’s mouth- tell us what the REAL NYC DJ’ing scene is like…

SJ: It has NOTHING to do with that. That is what happens at rotten bottle service clubs that have replaced the old club door policies with an “I can buy my way into anywhere” mentality. Those “celebrity DJ’s” are just iPods. The real DJ scene happens in dark basements with sweaty walls, or tranny hooker lounges, or lofts converted to clothing optional parties. That’s where DJ’s take chances and push boundaries.

CJ: I checked out your MySpace page and couldn’t help noticing your relationship status is listed as ‘divorced’. Is it tough on relationships being a DJ, touring and generally being a night owl?

SJ: It can be if you’re with someone who’s not on that same sleep schedule. For me it’s difficult also because now that I’m travelling a lot more I never find time to actually go out on a date. But it’s worth the sacrifice…for now.

CJ: And finally, a fun hypothetical: If you were asked to DJ at President Bush’s Birthday party – what would you play?

SJ: The sound of one hand clapping.

Catch SAMMY JO at the 9th Annual Brisbane Queer Film Festival this Friday at the Powerhouse, where he’ll be spinning the decks for the Volkswagen Opening Night Party.

Be first to comment on this article

Write Comment
Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Poster's IP addresses are logged.
Name:
Comment:
Code:*