Dj Josh, mistress of mixes

Dj Josh, mistress of mixes

Any queen from Adelaide will tell you, the gay and lesbian scene in the city of churches is not exactly going off.

How then does one of the most popular DJs in Australia (number 8 in the In The Mix favourite DJs of 2003 competition) build a faithful Sydney profile while living in a sleepy, faraway city?

Perseverance, says Josh, who started DJing in Adelaide in 1984. When other Sydney DJs took big party jobs, she filled in for them in their regular spots -“ building contacts and a buzz around her name.

Then came Mardi Gras and Sleaze, which Josh describes as the gigs of her life. Accolades and a fortnightly residency at Arq’s current most going-off night of the week followed. She became known for her music and loved for her performances -“ her different costumes every show, her dancing, and her arms-in-the air pure enthusiasm for the music.

If I’m not into what I’m doing, then I can’t relay what I want through the music, she says.

Years ago at the Mars Bar [in Adelaide] I used to put my favourite track on and run down and dance on the dancefloor with people and then run back up and mix the next track in.

What I do and how I put it together is exactly that -“ I want involvement, I want people to feel what I’m feeling. I think that showed a lot at last year’s Sleaze, when they put me in the middle of the room and I had no choice but to give everyone something to watch.

Her latest project is the Joy 94.9FM and Central Station Mardi Gras 2004 double CD, a collection of tracks aimed at showcasing the music of our biggest party.

Included is one of Josh’s own tracks Star Rider released by JVE (Josh versus Ericson), which has been remixed with vocals by Amy Jackson. Josh sees music production the next logical step in her long career.

I’d love to do more. I think production and performance is the future for DJs.

More Info Joy 94.9FM’s Mardi Gras 2004 is available now. Check out Josh’s movements on www.djjosh.com.

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