Words: Theo Thompson, Photos: Orson
Zoe, known in the music world as DJ FUCKOFF, is a force of nature whose beats, energy and unapologetic attitude have made waves within the ever-evolving dance scene. From a childhood surrounded by music to navigating the complexities of an industry where diversity is still finding its foothold, Zoe’s journey is both inspiring and illuminating.
“My dad was a DJ. I love music. It’s been a dream since I was a little girl,” Zoe reflects, as she recalls growing up in a household steeped in sound. With her father spinning psytrance, she was exposed to a diverse spectrum of genres from an early age. “I started with Ministry of Sound CDs, like 2008 Baseline, Jamie Duggan, a lot of dubstep… I remember when I first found Dr. P’s Sweet Shop; those sounds were sick,” she says with a smile. This eclectic foundation set the stage for her unique style, one that today features a fusion of bass, breaks and techno with elements of hardcore, dubstep and everything in between.
Zoe’s early musical influences have significantly shaped her style, resulting in sets that today feature an eclectic blend of dubstep, techno, breaks and a wide range of genres in between. Zoe speaks with excitement about the genre-bending direction of the scene, “I love how there’s more genre-bending happening now. You’ve got bass, breaks, house… let’s throw it in and make it fun.” It’s this genre-mashing approach that has helped carve a niche for herself, with tracks like “B.I.M.B.” and her collaboration on ‘Trick’ by Dagga becoming DJ favourites.
But Zoe’s path hasn’t been without its obstacles. In New Zealand, where drum and bass ruled, she faced rejection simply because of her gender. “I’d be like, ‘Can I try the decks?’ and they were like, ‘No, you don’t know what you’re doing,’” Zoe recalls, laughing in disbelief. Yet this only fuelled her determination to push forward. Eventually, she moved to Berlin, eager to start fresh in a more inclusive community. “Berlin felt like the right place. I found a community that really supported me,” Zoe shares. It was here that DJ FUCKOFF’s distinctive sound began to break through, with her debut on HÖR going viral and live sets shaking up dancefloors around the city.
Still, even as she found a more welcoming scene, Zoe’s experiences navigating gender biases have remained a constant. “It’s crazy,” she says. “People still ask me, ‘Did you really produce this?’ or ‘It was all you?’” Her resilience is evident as she speaks about the challenges she continues to face. “People think I’m the DJ’s girlfriend, not the DJ. It’s like a norm for me now.”
What I found so striking was her casual, almost resigned attitude when discussing such incidents. “I’ve been told, ‘Maybe DJing isn’t for you,’ if I spoke up about the treatment I was receiving,” she notes. Yet her calm, collected manner in sharing these stories speaks volumes about her strength and the perseverance required to break through barriers.
Zoe is outspoken about the need for men in the industry to be active allies. “The people who need to talk about it are the men in the industry,” she asserts. “They need to listen, make spaces safer… It’s always the FLINTA femme people that are doing all the fucking work, you know, and then it’s like, okay, we can talk, talk, talk but actually who’s gonna listen?”
Her advocacy for inclusivity extends beyond gender. Zoe emphasises how crucial it is to create safer spaces for women, non-binary and femme-identifying individuals in the scene. “It makes a huge difference when female security or sound techs are around. It’s warmer, you feel as though you are taken seriously.” While there’s progress, Zoe’s still clear-eyed about the work that remains to be done. “There’s much more support now. People are more aware, but I think it’s still very old-fashioned.”
Zoe has built a reputation for standing her ground. “I’ll do the show, but I won’t play again. If you can’t respect my energy, I’m not coming back,” she says confidently. Her boundaries are non-negotiable, and that commitment to self-respect is one of the many things that makes Zoe such a role model, both as an artist and as a woman. Like many artists, Zoe’s rider reflects her need for comfort and space to thrive, but hers goes beyond the typical requests. “I need spaces with calmness and quiet because of how I am,” she explains. “And, like, I don’t want to be in a room where people are smoking. It’s just something that doesn’t sit well with me.” Zoe ensures that her environment supports her well-being, making it clear that her needs are just as important as her performance. This unwavering self-awareness and insistence on respect make her a true trailblazer in the industry.
As our conversation shifts to her journey from a young dreamer to the DJ FUCKOFF we know today, Zoe can’t help but reflect on how far she’s come. “My 12-year-old self would be so fucking proud of me,” she exclaims. “Crying, like, ‘Fuck yeah, bitch, you did it!’” Her passion for music runs deep, while she believes it has been a healing force in her life. “Music has helped me, healed me, pushed me… It’s been everything. It’s brought me together with incredible people. Music did that.”
Looking ahead, Zoe is committed to fostering change in the industry. “We need more fems at the front. Not just tokenising women, but headlining, standing at the front!” Her hope is to see more diversity in the future, not only in the artists we see on stage but also in the representation behind the scenes. “We need to see it to feel safe stepping up.”
Her drive to create change is not just about herself but about paving the way for the next generation. “It’s about evolution, and it’s about making a difference for everyone who comes after.” Zoe’s vision for the future is one where women, non-binary and femme artists can thrive without being tokenised or held back by outdated norms.
As DJ FUCKOFF, Zoe is more than just a DJ; she’s an advocate, a boundary-pusher and a voice for those who have too often been silenced. With a combination of grit, passion and a sense of humour as sharp as her mixes, Zoe is a beacon of what’s possible when you refuse to let the world tell you who you should be. And her message is simple: “I play what I love, and I hope people love it too.”
Zoe’s journey is a testament to the power of music and the resilience of a woman who, despite the challenges, continues to carve out her place in an ever-evolving industry. As she keeps pushing boundaries, she is not only inspiring those around her but actively changing the landscape for the artists who come after her.
