Jos Gibson
Jos Gibson
18-04-13
Dirtbox legend Jos Gibson takes to the decks for Body Talk this Saturday specialising in his own particular brand of "hands in the air" house. Residents DJ Rokk and Tristan Reed will be on hand plus special guest Alejandro Acensio returns to play the top bar.
We caught up with Jos ahead of the party to find out more about his amazing beard, his taste in music and what he gets up to in the dead of night around east London...
You are something of an enigma. Tell us a secret about yourself, we won't tell anyone, promise.
I have a secret love for motorbikes. I love beat up old choppers and bobbers. Being able to jump on a motorbike really gives you such a sense of freedom and adventure.
You're from the north of England- what were your favourite nights out when you lived there?
I hung out mainly on the free party scene in the early '90s. Pretty much every Saturday night was spent on the services stations of Rivington or Channock waiting to go to a party usually on a industrial estate in Lancashire somewhere. They were really exciting times, there was a real sense of togetherness too.
When that all ended some of my favourite haunts included: Artlab in Preston, The Empire in Morcambe, The Orbit near Leeds or the Eclipse in Coventry. Sadly all gone now.
You're going to be playing "hands in the air" house at Body Talk... what's your ultimate track for raising your hands?
At the moment it has to be Do You Feel What I Feel by Rex the Dog, it's so damn good.
Your day job is as a groomer in mens fashion editorial and commercial. Does this account for your stupendous beard?
I suppose it does, I've had it for some years now and people kinda know me for it. "The guy with the big beard? Yes thats the one."
What's your top facial hair tip?
Keep it clean, keep it suitable, keep it oiled!
Why did you decide to set up your night Dirtbox?
I got together with a couple of friends of mine and we were really complaining that there wasn't the club we wanted in London. So we did it as a one off party originally for us and our friends.
How have you developed Dirtbox into East London's premiere sweatbox-cum-manhunt nightclub?
Still keeping it really simple - it's a combination of the Dirtbox sound, a really great venue and the loyal crowd.
What's a quintessential Dirtbox track?
Strut Your Techno Stuff by Fax Yourself, it was a B-side originally on a cover of I Feel Love that came out on a Belgium New Beat label.
What inspires you in your day job and what inspires you in your night-time job?
What inspires you is a difficult one nail down as it's always in flux. When I'm working on shoots it's usually with the photographer or designer themselves where we have an initial chat about the mood. Then that sparks me to think a link I can make with the hair, usually historical.
In clubs it's not so different, whilst there is a running theme with my taste in music, I try to make a connection with the crowd so I note when something really works or doesn't.
And finally what's your most favourite East London DJing memory or torrid tale?
Some of the highs since we started have been taking Dirtbox out to the festivals; Lovebox and Glastonbury notably. Recently we also had Shannon from Light Asylum come to DJ. She spontaneously turned on the mic and sang over her set which blew everyone away. But the hottest tales are on the dance floor of Dirtbox, anyone who goes will testify to that.
Join Jos on Saturday 20th April for Body Talk at Dalston Superstore from 9pm - 3am.
Jos Gibson