DJing since 1984, DJ JoSH’s love for music started as early as 7 yrs old when she begged her parents to buy her a trendy am transistor radio, followed by a tape recorder and then was old enough to use Dad’s treasured 3 in 1 stereo. Josh used all her pocket money to collect records such as Kiss, Abba and stax of 80’s electronica – anything that was a hit on Countdown really! From then on the record buying never stopped and the record collection grew, but Josh was not sure what to do with such a large selection of music even though she already enjoyed making tapes for friends.

Like most under 18’s Josh discovered her first nightclubs with friends such as the Tou can Tou, Le Rox, The old lion, Sam’s disco, The Mars Bar & The Colonel Light Hotel. It was here that she realised exactly what she wanted to be “A DJ” but the industry really had no openings for girls, bar one exception “GAY BARS”! Josh discovered that befriending the resident DJ at the Mars Bar back in 1982-83 got her into the DJ box during the DJ’s toilet and boyfriend breaks. The breaks got bigger sometimes up to half the night then one day the management realised Josh’s obvious talent and potential and gave her the resident Saturday night slot on rotation in early 1984.

It was the gay scene that influenced Josh’s now wide musical tastes of High NRG dance, house and Trance with lots of vocals. From 1984 to 1996 Josh resided at the Mars Bar every Saturday night followed by nearly 2 yrs at reflections Friday and Saturday nights on rotation with DJ Chook. Josh also played most of the Gay/Lesbian dance parties from Adelaide Uni. Pride, Fusion (World Aids Day), D-votion, Sleaze Ball and made her first debut on the mainstream @ Adelaide Uni. O’Ball 1995. Also in 1995 Josh became the promoter and DJ for Pride @ Le Rox and did guest spots at Girl Bar and 3 Faces nightclub (Melb) her first taste of interstate gigs.

In 1995 Josh was voted in as president of the United Mardi Gras collective to raise money to get an Adelaide Float to Sydney G/L Mardi Gras. It was during this time she created “LICK” parties to raise much-needed funds. “Lick” ran for almost 2.5yrs after the Float “TOY’s” made it to Sydney MG (can be seen on the Official video/telecast). “Lick” saw Josh bring to Adelaide names such as Drag Queen megastar Maude Boate, DJ’s Alex Taylor, Kate Monroe, DJ Lexie Bradfield (SYD) Phil K (Mel), performer/singer Lippy Lou (UK) and the list goes on. In August of 1996 Josh was asked by Dirty House Records to hold a Lick event at St Paul’s at their Infamous “INTERCOURSE” party this was Josh’s 2nd ever-mainstream gig and she tore the house down!

ITM’s Gruuv Feva asked JoSH a few questions and here’s what she had to say…

What was it like being one of the only female DJ’s playing out when you started, and building up the reputation of DJ JoSH?

It was incredibly hard at first. No-one really took me seriously at first but with 11yrs practice in my first residency at the Mars Bar, when I finally got my first mainstream gig I blew the punters and promoters away with my technical ability and my choice in music. It has been a breeze from there but as things go chicks are still not really accepted by their male counterparts and still only ever get billed in warm up and support DJ roles.

There are now more and more female DJ’s hitting the national and international scene, what do you think of this?

It is great for competition and great to see more and more accepted I wish all of them great success!

How would you describe your style?
Trance, progressive NRG with feeling and emotions.

Have you produced anything or thought of producing?

I have tried my hand at producing but another producer did the knob twiddling while I threw in the ideas for a project called JuJu eyeballs, a girly pop tune called “any way any how”

What are you up to outside of DJíng, any other work?

MUSIC, MUSIC oh and did I say music? Riding my 600cc motorcycle, coordinating the dance music awards and travelling with my DJíng all across Australia

Who are/were your influences?

I actually don’t like to be influenced by any one – but if your asking my favourite DJ/Producers I would have to say: Marc Et Claude, Timo Maas, Yves Dreuyter, Sister Bliss and of course Rollo! Lange, Angelli & Nelson, DJ Tiesto, Fergie, Airscape, Rob Searle and chicane.

Favourite Labels?

Bonzai, HOOJ choons, Extravaganza, Stress, multiply, Inferno and Manifesto mostly, but I can say nearly all record labels because I love music so much in many different forms!

Best thing about being a DJ?

You can share your thoughts and taste in music with an audience, make them smile, think, react, escape and most of all, GO OFF!

Worst thing about being a DJ?

Losing hearing, late nights, no sunshine, hangovers, bad gigs (unresponsive audiences) – the worst!

Favourite Venue, both interstate and locally?

Heaven II, Soda Room (Adel), ARQ & NV (Sydney), The dome & Viper room (Mel)

Biggest name that you have played alongside?

Sister Bliss, Ultrasonic, Dave Seaman, Paul Van Dyk and Judge Jules.

What are your goals for the future?

Baby DJ Josh’s (yes I wanna have kids eventually), possibly DJ/artist management and if it permits producing with some credible acts and producers!

Seeing the underground and house, trance and progressive styles never disappear. I feel we will, and are, being overtaken by 2 step and R & B. This country is beginning to become too Americanised! Our youth are not embracing house and harder styles as much as they used to – it’s all RAP and stuff? Scary thought huh?

Have you been involved in much promoting or organising parties/clubs?

YES – co ordinator for – Central station dance music awards 1998, 97, 96 and 2000, promoter of the 1997, 98 & 99 Adelaide Charity Sleaze ball, The gay scene LICK parties 1994, 1995, 1996.

What do you think of the future of Adelaide’s Dance Music scene?

I am afraid it has already lost its identity and needs a great shake up – people are not as excited about it any more? Most people/punters & DJ’s have cashed in on commercialism – not through wanting to but because we have to, to keep heads in the venue at a cost to underground and moving forward! GOD SAFE THE UNDERGROUND!

Who do you think are the up and coming DJ’s of the moment?

I really could not tell you if I tried – just through not having time enough to check any out, I am always working and moving! Maybe you, Steve?

Any one you would like to shout out to or thank?

To all who have supported me, put up with bad clubs, waited in line, spent their hard earned dollar to see me play and stuck it out with me throughout my career – thank you and stay with me. I will live on forever and my music will always give you that sense of enjoyment, satisfaction and escape you all look for and know!

In a few words, describe DJ JoSH to the people who don’t know you!

I am spiritual, sensitive, caring, honest and reliable. I have a passion and drive to succeed and live life to the fullest (no I am not hardcore or full on) and I am currently looking for LOVE! My real name is Jo-anne…