D Hi Jolie, Thanks for your time, I know you must be busy getting all set for tomorrow's Audio Chic.. So, as we are aware you have Herzblut recordings' head honcho Stephan Bodzin flying in for an exclusive 2 hour set for your bday... You must be really excited!?....

J Yes, excited is an understatement. Getting a DJ like Bodzin down to Southend, is great, not only for the night, but for the whole underground scene in Southend. He only does a few UK dates a year so we have a lot of people travelling from all over for this one.

D Ok, for those who dont yet already know, tell me a bit about Audio Chic....

J Audio Chic is still relatively new, it will be our 2nd birthday in July. The venue (The Royal Hotel), is the perfect venue for the night. It's an old listed building, with a large ballroom and a superb sound system, the perfect setting for an underground party like AC. Don't come here if you want to go on the pull - it wont happen! - Everyone that comes to Audio Chic, is there for one thing..the music. We also have dj's playing chill out/ambient in the chill-out room & cinema. People can sit back on the floor cushions or on the bed to take a breather from the madness in the main room! Not only that, there is a third floor; the basement, with more music and DJ's, so there is a choice for everyone. Its progressive house, techno, minimal in ballroom, and house & electro in the basement.

D Tell me Jolie, what made you get into promoting club nights and how long have you been doing it?

J I have been promoting club nights now for 8 years, starting with a fetish night in Southend called 'eyecandy' in 2000. I also promote Tickled Pink which is still going strong in London, and of course audio chic in Southend. I guess I got into it, as I loved clubbing so much, 18 years is a long time clubbing and in that time, you really get to see what works, what doesnt etc. But as every promoter knows, it's a lot of hard work.

D You must feel a sense of satisfaction after seeing all your hard work has paid off...?

J Yeah, it's a great feeling, and makes all the hardwork worthwhile when you look around and see everyone having a great time at one of your parties. That's the whole reason I do it. Up until a few years ago, I had to juggle a full time job, and the promoting, which was really hard, but now i'm full time promoting, and never want to go back to office work!

D In a seemingly male-dominated industry, tell me - do you find you have to work harder to be a successful female promoter?

J I think initially, you have to work harder being a female promoter because a lot of people don't take you seriously. I remember a lot of my mates just laughing at me back in 2000, when I said I wanted to start a club night so I have really had to work extra hard to prove myself.

D Ok and who or what has influenced you most in what you do?

J I would say the whole clubbing scene influenced me the most to do what I do. When I first went to Ibiza, I came back and just wanted to get something off the ground.

D Ok, now give me an Audio Chic 'finest moment'.....

J October 2006 Audio Chic. The launch was a disaster in July 2006, I remember it clearly as that night England were knocked out the world cup! It took a good few months to get going, but I remember walking into the ballroom for October's bash, and seeing it absolutely rammed with everyone going mad. That was the moment that Audio Chic really took off and from that month started taking Southend by storm.

D Now that we're 1/4 of the way into 2008, what does the rest of the year have in store for Audio Chic? Any big plans/extra special parties afoot?

J For this year, I want to concentrate on doing a few AC parties in London. There will be a few lined up for this year so watch this space. We also have more great producers set to make the journey down to Southend-on-sea!

D That sounds cool!! Well Jolie, thank you again for your time - and see you tomorrow for the big one!!!