Naked Raver is a woman who is young in years and yet eternal in Spirit. She has the wisdom of a sage because she views the world through the eyes of a child. Her mere presence uplifts and harmonises all those with whom she comes into contact. And her words enlighten even the darkest of minds and the heaviest of hearts.
Inrichmint Media Studios: How did you get involved in Naked Raver, and where did your journey begin, where was the relationship established? Jo: Naked Raver started life as a book in 2011/12, a real life account of a vision I had in Amsterdam eleven years ago. As man and wife for ten years, Daniel and I have always supported and worked together, albeit in 2011/12 we were each concentrating on our own specific fields of interest – mine being writing, and Daniel’s being music and design. As Daniel edited and read the book (titled Naked Raver: The Meaning of Life), he came to fully understand my experience, realising that I had described and experienced the full vision he has held in his mind since he was a teenager. This was when we joined forces and Naked Raver was born (launching Sept 2012).
Inrichmint Media Studios: What drives your passion when it comes to Naked Raver? Jo: People and the spiritual power contained within them, a power that guides them to an amazing place of joy, happiness, beauty, abundance – basically all the great feelings that everyone seeks in their life, especially women. Women are amazing forces for strength and harmony, for love and encouragement, being the natural nurturers of mankind. However, many get lost and confused along life’s journey, causing them to thwart their potential in the home, at work, and at play.
Naked Raver is our way of interpreting this, of guiding women to think differently; of reminding them how fabulous and beautiful they are. We see every woman as being unique and essential to life, and we speak to them via music, books, great artwork, and eventually fashion.
Inrichmint Media Studios: What endorsements and sponsorships does Naked Raver have? Jo: None
Inrichmint Media Studios: How can people get involved in Naked Raver? Jo: We offer opportunities to licensees for our range of artwork, as well as producing commisioned pieces for one off third party projects. We deliver uplifting feelgood workshops to groups, either privately (e.g. hen night, girly event) or in the workplace, and we are currently looking to offer opportunities for Naked Raver Ambassadors to get involved on a smaller scale (see details on website),the aim being to reach out to small circles of women online.
If this isn't what someone is looking for, then they can access our music online and set themselves free to it i.e. turn up the tunes and have a good dance, alone or with friends!
There are various social media channels (see website www.thenakedraver.com) where we can be accessed (Twitter, FB, Linkedin Pinterest, Soundcloud).
Inrichmint Media Studios: What has been your biggest Naked Raver achievement to date? Jo: We are a very new company, being just four months old. For me, the actual conception of the company feels like a wonderful achievement, because it seems that, out of nowhere, an entity that embodies the combined passions of its founders has been formed. People are loving what we are doing, and the name itself adds a nice cheeky element to business, ensuring that we can always push the boundaries and do the unexpected!!
Just before we launched, we were invited to the Preston Guild Trade Procession, an event that happens every 20 years. For this we had a sizable Foamex board printed with a couple of our images on. As we passed the 100 000 strong crowd, we saw the words Naked Raver coming from many peoples mouths, and a social marketing business behind us said, Naked Raver is going viral!! Right then, we knew we were onto something.
Inrichmint Media Studios: Who, as in a person not an institution, personally inspires you? Jo: Jean of Arc. I love the way she was determined in Faith, taking her place as a seventeen year old peasant girl amongst the army ranks of experts, leading them to victory in a way they had never known before – unlearned, untrained, inexperienced.
There are others too, the underlying factor always being about a magnificent vision for life being driven by an unwavering faith, a Universal love for people, and a reverence for the Intelligent Creator of life.
Inrichmint Media Studios: Which blogs, digital and print publications do you read and follow? Jo: I don’t tend to follow blogs – I do a lot of book reading – this is my preferred choice.
Inrichmint Media Studios: What’s pipelined for Naked Raver and yourself at the moment? Jo: Over the coming months, Naked Raver will release a series of dance tracks in the build up to an album mid summer time. There are plans to take a range of NR greeting cards into independent/boutique shops.
The cover for my first book, Statue in the Square, has been redesigned to bring it under the Naked Raver brand, and this shall be re-released in March (it has charted in the top 10 of its genre several times in both the UK and the States, Kindle and paperback). I am currently working on two new books, one of which shall be released later this year.
Our focus over the next six months is geared towards raising awareness of the brand, and ensuring that we give great product(s) to the public.
Inrichmint Media Studios: In your opinion what brings magic to Naked Raver? Jo: The magic is in its ethos and vibe, its language and style. We produce great artwork, words, and music, our goal being to ensure the factor of ‘cool’ and ‘accessibility’ to the 20-40 age range in all that we do.
Naked Raver has become a presence in her own right, as though she has her own personality. She loves life, she loves dancing, she loves embracing others and encouraging them to greatness. Daniel and I simply feed this personality.
Inrichmint Media Studios: Which series have you watched from start to finish and now waiting on the next episode for download? Jo: I am currently watching The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (second season). This is the first reality show of this type I have watched. The characters in it are giving me great ideas for the personalities in the book I am working on. It is female based with lots of ego i.e. falseness – so this ties in perfectly with my subject matter.
Inrichmint Media Studios: Choose one thing from the Naked Raver wishlist. Jo: A packed club going crazy - whistles, cheers, shouts - as the first few bars of Ocean come booming over the sound system A woman dancing on her own in her home going crazy – whistles, cheers, shouts – as the first few bars of Ocean come booming over her stereo!!
Inrichmint Media Studios: Where do you see yourself and Naked Raver in 10 years’ time? Jo: Basically having lots of fun, with Naked Raver fans/customers being like a global family. I believe Daniel and I are part of a vision that is playing itself out – one that was given each of us before we met – and we are the channels of expression for this vision. Wherever we are in ten years, I know it is going to be an amazing place, although exactly what we shall be doing, I do not know nor do I wish to limit its expression. We love what we are doing, we are sowing some fantastic seeds……so ten years….watch out!!
Inrichmint Media Studios: Who are you personally trying to reach through Naked Raver? Jo: You know those female friends you have whom have deep, passionate, caring, thoughtful and loyal personalities, but something stops their full expression? They may feel insecure and conscious of what others think. They may have been hurt in their upbringing or in love, and therefore harbor some distrust for the world.
They may limit their abilities because they don’t believe in themselves. They may lack an understanding of their inherent power because those around them lack this awareness too. However, these people have taste and style, they like having fun, they can laugh loud and see the humor in things, they can party hard and chill with the cool but, when the dark cloud descends, they battle with themselves, looking for change but unsure of where to find it.
These are the people I am trying to personally reach. The women who are good friends to the world but whom need a helping hand to unleash their full potential upon it.
Inrichmint Media Studios: Who would you most like to meet, spend an evening with over dinner and a bottle of something good? Jo: Surprise me!
Inrichmint Media Studios: What can you simply just not live without? Jo: Take something away and then I’ll let you know how I go on!
Inrichmint Media Studios: What upcoming events do you have planned where Naked Raver will be involved or hosting, where people can support and that are open to the public? Jo: No dates/events planned as yet
Inrichmint Media Studios: What was the last book you read? Jo: The Man Who Tapped the Secrets of the Universe, Walter Russell
Inrichmint Media Studios: Are you a lover of Indian food, Thai, Italian, Seafood, Braai the South African way or are you for Veggie Cuisine all the way? Jo: Huge fan of Indian and Thai food, have never tried Braai the SA way. Three months ago I turned vegan and am looking forward to fully exploiting this type of cuisine.
Inrichmint Media Studios: Where is your favourite place in the world? Jo: I have love affairs with Brighton (UK), Greece, Amsterdam, Thailand, and L.A. but the most appealing place I have yet to venture is Hawaii. Daniel and I talk about a beautiful Naked Raver HQ retreat here.
Inrichmint Media Studios: Where can we find out more about you and what you do? Jo: Statue in the Square, by Joanne St.Clair, my debut book, available via Amazon (check out author page) company website with details and links to social media channels. Internet search will reveal various articles and interviews. http:///www.thenakedraver.com
Inrichmint Media Studios: What is the best piece of advice you have been given, ever? Jo: Focus only on the moment at hand, injecting love into everything you do, even the menial and mundane tasks.
Interviewed by: Jacqueline Freer
Inrichmint Media Studios
l CPT Street Mag l JHB Street Mag l inPRess Online l Spark Project l
With winter almost rearing its head, the opportunity for a fun-filled weekend of camping and top quality music in a beautiful setting is drawing to a close for a few months. Luckily, Sowing the Seeds will be taking place on the 24th and 25th of May at a new venue in the Mpumalanga Highveld. The five-star Welgelegen Manor Estate, possibly one of the most beautiful settings in South Africa, will host this year’s Sowing the Seeds.
