It’s the start of the summer and that can only mean one thing. The bears are back in town. To celebrate all things fuzzy, this month Queenie catches up with one of the fabulous DJ’s who’ll be gracing the decks at the Brighton Bear Weekender. Take it away the wonderful Mr Josh Sharples.

What’s your DJ name? I’m Josh The Barber – although as I’m not a barber anymore I could be called Josh Was A Barber!!

Where can we see you playing? I have a massive weekend coming up with the Brighton Bear Weekender (19 – 21 June).  First up I’ll be at Bearshaft at Legends Basement Club and then later at GRRR!! at the Latest Music Bar, both on Saturday 21st June. I also play at lots of private parties such as the Zanzibar Reunion at Neighbourhood in July.

Describe your DJing style? I love DJing different genres of music, from disco and northern soul to club classics! I must admit that I especially love dirty, deep and funky house though.

What’s your favourie tune of all time? That’s difficult – there are so many!  I love Shawn Christopher’s Make My love. It reminds me of fun times and close friends and gives me goose-bumps.  If a tune gives you goose-bumps it must be good.

What tune always fills up your dancefloor? Again there are lots, but I’ll settle for Insomnia by Faithless.

What would be your dream gig? It’d be when everyone is really enjoying the music, you can feel the energy and its electric. Whatever the venue size, be it huge or underground and tiny!

Name the track you wish you’d never played! At a friend’s wedding I meant to play Stevie Wonder’s Once In Your Life as the first tune of the evening – it’s the perfect start to a wedding disco.  I’d had a late night and wasn’t firing on all cylinders and played Superstition instead. Not the best start to a couple’s happiest night of celebrations!

Guilty pleasure? I’ve got loads!  But I’ll go for Glen Campbell’s Witichita Lineman ( a real classic).

Dream gig?  I think my best ever gig is split between the early days of GBH at Storm which was a small underground venue but the atmosphere, music and people just made it fantastic and the Men’s Tent at Brighton Pride a few years ago. The atmosphere, the weather and everyone was up for a great time…(goose-bumps again!

Tell us a secret? I danced with Kylie at a club in the late nineties (well it looked like her haha).

Josh The Barber’s Blinding Top 5

PhunkUnique This Is My House ( Hot Steam mix) Red Eleven Recordings

Victor Perez, Vincente Ferrer, Yas Celeda Samba Baccanali (Ibiza Mix) Electrosce

Dj PP, Vlada Asanin Counter ( Jerome Robins remix) Rockit

Morsy Love Keeps Lifting Me Up ( Bronx Underground Mix) AR/UK

SNBRN feat Kaleena Zanders California (Chris Lake remix) Rising

Grab lots of Josh action at brightonbearweekender.co.uk and at Brighton Pride 2015 Men’s Zone

Mixcloud