Tunesmith

Joan Smith (aka DJ Tunesmith) is a Hackney-based DJ, producer, promoter, podcaster, and record label owner, with music deeply embedded in her DNA. Her father performed in the 1960s reggae doo-wop group The Marvels, laying the foundation for her lifelong connection to sound.

With decades of experience in the music industry, Joan began making her mark in the 1990s as publisher and editor of influential underground Black music magazines Hard Edge and Cipher. In this role, she interviewed iconic artists including Ice-T, OutKast, Chuck D, David Rodigan, and The London Posse, among many others.

As DJ Tunesmith, she has built a reputation for captivating, vinyl-led sets that span genres such as funk, hip hop, jazz, soul, disco, broken beat, and boogie. Her selections have energized audiences at renowned venues including Corsica Studios, The Groucho Club, Ronnie Scott’s, The Standard Hotel, The Ned, BBE Store, Blue Marlin Ibiza London, the BFI, and The Book Club, as well as internationally at Mojo Club and Le Fonque in Hamburg.

She has also performed at major events such as the Southern Soul Festival in Montenegro and held residencies as a DJ for Craig Charles’ Funk and Soul Summer Series and alongside Norman Jay MBE at Brixton Jamm. Currently, she holds residencies at Bambi in East London and Jumbi in Peckham.

A respected tastemaker and influencer, DJ Tunesmith uses her platform to champion fresh and exciting music—often driving audiences to discover and support new sounds she recommends.

She is also a core member of the Eves’Drop Collective, performing with them since their founding at prominent stages including The Sanctuary, Hennessy, and Love Dancin’ at Gilles Peterson’s We Out Here Festival in Cambridgeshire since summer 2021.

DJ Tunesmith hosts a monthly radio show, Stokie Basement, airing on The BoAt Pod every third Saturday from 4pm–6pm.