For those who don’t know you, tell us a little about yourself, where you are from, and how you first got into dance music

Christel Hendriks, 49 years old, born and raised in the Netherlands. 

Mother of 3 kids (co- parenting) with twins Maxime and Amelie (9) and Xavier (13).

I’m currently working as a Media Manager at a financial company responsible for media channels like TV, Radio and social channels in the Netherlands. 

In the music industry I perform as DJ MISS HENDRIXXX and I’m part of MR & MRS JONES (DJ DUO).

How long have you been a DJ? Tell me a little about your DJ career.

I started DJing 4,5 years ago in 1998. I learned the basics of DJing at DJ SCHOOL AMSTERDAM where I attended private DJ Lessons. My mentor was Jus Tin a Dutch Techno DJ. 

At 1st of January 2019 I kicked off my DJ career, starting a social Facebook page sharing my recorded mixes. I reached out to my network and spread that word that I was available to play at every party private or public to gain experience in playing different music styles.

My first official public gig was in a popular bar, ClubNL, in Amsterdam at the beginning of 2019. I was invited by Pim Hoffs (via DJ School) also known as DJ T-Gray to play with him at ClubNL. After this gig, I really got the taste of it to play more. 

In the years that followed I played mostly Funky House or Latin/ African Tech House at events like Verkassen, Vuurdoop, House of Renaissance and I performed in all the livestreams broadcasted on TV or Youtube for Creationz,  Partycast TV but also in The Crane, a well-known ADE location. 

My first bigger gig came in January 2020 when I won a DJ contest and was invited to play at the mainstage of a TECH HOUSE event PURE in Jan 2020. I was asked to be resident DJ at an online Radio show at @Beats2dance.com and at @AMW in the Netherlands. My biggest performances were at THUISHAVEN and festivals like Back to Ibiza and Imperium in the Netherlands.

How did you get into dance music? What drew you to the scene?

Music has always been prominent in in my live. I started dancing at the age of 6 years old (Hip-Hop and Jazz) until my 40st. Later on I took singing classes and  I performed a few times in little theatres.

After I followed a DJ workshop just for fun with my eldest son in 1998 I was literally shaking from the energy and from that moment on I knew that I wanted to learn to DJ. During the following next 6 months I attended different DJ workshops at ADE, spoke with several DJ’s and people working in the music industry to learn where I should start my DJ learning. They recommended DJ SCHOOL AMSTERDAM. 

Where do you live? How is the dance music scene where you live?

Netherlands (Amstelveen) next to Amsterdam. The Dance Music is amazing in Amsterdam. Every weekend you can visit so many different House, Techno or EDM festivals with national or international DJs like Loveland, Mystery Land, Awakenings, Mystic Garden, DefQon, Dance Valley or DGTL. Bit also Lowlands or Pinkpop And of course we have our yearly ADE.

What is the first album or piece of music you bought for yourself

Mark Knight – We get high from the music

If you had to recommend one album for someone looking to get into dance music, what would it be?

It depends of course what kind of music genre you fancy. But I guess for me, being super passionate about House music it would be albums of the label DEFECTED Records.

What is the biggest issue currently facing dance music

The music industry is getting older (DJ’s and the public). To my opinion there will be a gap between the big DJ’s and the music that is mainly still played (lots of EDM) at the larger festivals like Tomorrowland vs the music that appeal to the younger audience (Generation Z and Generation X). 

 What is the best/most exciting thing happening in house music now

The change from EDM back to more old underground UK Speed Garage (Fred Again). You really have to check the Boiler Room session of Fred Again. New musical talent is coming from UK grounds.

What is your favorite place to listen to and experience dance music

In my working / DJ studio at home where I spent most of my time when I’m not being a mum or at work. If I want to go to a festival I prefer smaller festivals and clubs like Paradiso Amsterdam, ClubNL or Thuishaven.

Who are some of your favorite DJs? Who are some of your favorite producers?

Mark Knight – TOOLROOM RECORDS

Producers working for SPINNIN RECORDS, DEFECTED or SIMMA BLACK like WAFF, Martinez Brothers, Marco Carola, Loco Dice, Jamie Jones, Chris Stussy and Floorplan.

Who has been your greatest mentor? Your greatest inspiration?

It started with my mentor Justin Timmers (DJ JUS TIN) from DJ SCHOOL AMSTERDAM followed by DJ Roberto Cayetano who learned me to master the decks and play differently. And of course my boyfriend Ramon Ricardo Bohr (Producer and DJ BOHR) has inspired me.

Greatest musical inspiration for me has been Mark Knight for sure.

Do you feel satisfied with the role of women in dance music

Yes, although balance Female vs Male DJ’s is not in balance yet looking at lineups. Festivals are still dominated by male DJ’s, But I see that there’s a shift to more female DJ’s at the lineup of festivals.

As a woman in the dance music industry, do you feel that you have been given the same opportunities as your male peers? Do you think that women are adequately represented at festivals?

 There’s lots of focus to support female DJs in the DJ industry. But it’s still a men’s world. The balance Female vs Male DJs in lineups in Netherlands as far as I can see is still not 50/50. There should be more female DJs added to festivals. The popularity of female DJs is growing but I see that male DJs still gain the most engagement and fans. Personally I think female DJs could support each other far more. 

Who are some of the women of dance music that you look up to

Peggy Gou, she’s a real brand. Love her energy, craziness and her music of course. But also female DJs that are strong powerful women like Amelie Lens, Honey Dijon, Lilly Palmer, Sam Divine, Ellen Allien. Within the Netherlands that would be DJ Miss Monica (NL), Miss Melera (NL) and Miss Djaxx (NL)

How do you feel the dance music industry could improve in its treatment of/attention to female artists

There’s lots of focus to support female DJs. But it’s still a men’s world. The balance female vs male DJs in lineups are in Netherlands as far as I can see still under 30%.  

Do you feel there are adequate opportunities for women at gigs, clubs, festivals, radio stations?

Yes, for sure. I even think that being a woman I have more opportunity nowadays to play at festivals.

Where is your favorite place to hear house music, past or present

During the week I enjoy playing and listening music at my house in my Hybrid working space / DJ music room. In the weekend when I don’t have to play I like to visit the best spots to go to in Amsterdam for a music festival like Thuishaven, Westergasfabriek or Paradiso where famous DJs like Dimitry or Eric E will perform.

What – or who – are you currently listening to

At the moment I listen a lot to the Youtube Boiler room sessions off my favourite DJs like Mark Knight (my big hero), Chris Stussy, Floorplan, Jamie Jones, David Penn, Loco Dice, Waff, Paul Kalkbrenner and Black Coffee. And sometimes I enjoy the sound of the past 90’s House with Old Speed Garage.

Where are you in the world right now and what are you up to?

Amstelveen Netherlands. Enjoying some free time with my friend Ramon Ricardo Bohr. Together we always listen hours to new music, our favourite DJs and talk about music developments and our musical journey.

Together with Ramon we just signed a contract with TRIPLED Management and our goal is to produce and release our new sound as MR & MRS JONES under the name of NOTORIOUS STORYTELLERS, once in the 2 months.

In the coming months we have a gig every month. And we are looking forward  to our first international booking as DJ DUO MR & MRS JONES on February 22-24, 2023 in Austria.

Where do you see yourself in the future?

DJ wise I hope that MR & MRS JONES is really going to fly and we have the opportunity to play at some amazing festivals playing our own produced  Deep Tech / House or Speed Garage tracks. And of course I am dreaming of being able to work together with big producers like David Penn or Mark Knight. 

Hopefully in the future the opportunity comes along to combine my work in media with music for example by producing audio sounds for the advertising industry.

Is there anything else you want us to know about you?

People always ask me how do I make it work. Combining full-time work, parenting and DJing at the same time. I always say. Just set your goal, start tomorrow and see where the adventure takes you. I believe everyone can achieve their dreams but you have to really want it. 

My quote for today would be. “Never let go of your dreams. You are the only one that can make it happen.”

You can catch DJ Miss Hendrixxx and her DJ partner Ramon Ricardo Bohr aka Mr & Mrs Jones on their New Amsterdam House Invasion My House Radio on Sundays from 5:00-6:00 pm (EST)