MASHING up everything from electo house, hip hop and breakbeat has been a fine challenge for BBC Radio 1's Annie Mac.

For the last three years she has championed the latest dance and indie sounds around, working with the likes of Steve Lamaq and Zane Lowe.

The Irish-born DJ has played all over the world and is now bringing her eclectic bag of tunes to Kent for the first tiem with a set at the Loft in Maidstone. quizzed her fresh from a gig in Russia.

Q: What is it like working at the BBC and how hard was it to get your breakthrough at the Beeb?

A: Working at the Beeb is amazing, I never take it for granted. I’ve just come back from Russia where I DJ-ed for the first time. It was amazing and people knew so much about the Mash Up. I am so grateful to be able to have a show that can spread so far around the world.

Q: What sounds are making your playlist at the moment?

A: I am loving the Feist album, the Robyn album and the new Go Team album.

Q: How good a state do you think UK dance music is in right now?

A It’s in a great state, alive and kicking.

Q: Your Mash Up show has previously used tracks by Bloc Party, Klaxons and Arcade Fire. Do you think rock can cross over successfully with dance?

A: It already has. Rock and dance fused a long time ago. Just look at Primal Scream and Screamadelica, or any New Order album.

Q: What has been your most memorable DJ-ing experience?

A: Probably last night in Russia! It was a festival called Fortdance in an old fort off an island an hour’s drive from St Petersburg. We travelled to the island on a speedboat blaring out trance music with a beautiful sunset behind us. The fort itself was decorated so beautifully and the people were so receptive.

Q: Your summer tour dates this year take in everywhere from Russia and Ibiza to Malawi. Is travelling the best part of your job?

A: The travel can take a lot out of me. I don’t know how a lot of DJs do it. I love travelling, the sense of adventure and not knowing what you are getting yourself into but after a while you get to the point where you don’t appreciate it as much as you should.

Q: Can you give us an idea of what sounds you’ll be playing in Maidstone?

A: I’ve heard great things about The Loft. I’ll be playing my usual stuff, lots of banging all over the place music. There’s no rules really.

Q: What’s the most treasured/most embarrassing record in your collection?

A: I have a lot of really cheesy disco 12 inches that I bought from car boot sales when I was in college. One gem I found though is a rare Roy Ayers 12 inch. It’s a beautiful rendition of Fever.

Q: If you were not a DJ what would you most likely be doing?

A: I always wanted to be an actress.

Q Do you have a philosophy to life?

A: Do it now. Don’t hang about as the more you think about doing something the harder it is to do.

Annie Mac is playing the Loft in Maidstone on Saturday August 4. Tickets are £10 on the door.