Higher education news and events

DJ Josh mixes with the world's best

A talented music student from City of Bath College is making a huge impact on the drum and bass scene, DJ'ing at high profile music festivals and gigs across the world.

Josh Jackson, better known as Grafix, has played at events in Australia, Switzerland, Belgium and Bruges and also has dates coming up in Poland.

The 20 year old, originally from Exeter but now living in Bath, is also well known in top clubs around the UK, particularly in London and the south west, with regular nights at Bristol's Lakota and Thekla.

Josh said one of his best experiences had been DJ'ing in his home country last year, at the legendary Glastonbury Festival.

"It was an incredible experience," said Josh, who is studying the Foundation Degree in Music Production. "I got the whole VIP treatment and had a great time. To be playing in front of hundreds of people at a festival like Glastonbury is about as good as it gets."

Josh now regularly gets his tracks played on Radio One and One Extra, and has come a long way since he started his DJ career.

"Like most DJs, I started DJ'ing in my bedroom at home and making music using some really basic music software. I then began sending out my tracks to labels and radio stations and at 18 I was signed to New Urban Music, a major drum and bass distributor.

"Things are going well, and I'm hoping that this year I could be signed by another major label which would help my music to get even more exposure."

Josh counts some of the biggest names in drum and bass among his friends and influences. DJs including Danny Byrd (who also studied music at City of Bath College), The Brookes Brothers, Distorted Minds, Netsky, Camo & Krooked, Logistics and Sigma have all supported Grafix's music.

Josh said, "I'm doing all I've ever wanted to do and, if things continue to go as well as they are at the moment, I should be able to make a career from DJ'ing. It's taken a lot of work to get where I am, but the effort has paid off."

Josh praised the Music Production Foundation Degree, which is run at City of Bath College in partnership with Bath Spa University.

"I've really been enjoying the course. It has a lot of good material and the work I've been doing around acoustics and live recording has been excellent - I've learnt a lot.

"The tutors are really good. They are very knowledgeable and helpful and have worked with some really big names in the music business."

You can find out more about Grafix and his music by visiting his myspace page: www.myspace.com/grafixmusik and on Facebook by searching for Josh Grafix.

For more information about the Music Production Foundation Degree visit www.citybathcoll.ac.uk call 01225 312191 or drop in to the College's Student Advice Centre, Macaulay Building, Avon Street, Bath.

Pictured: DJ Grafix

News and events

Peter France strikes Gold with City of Bath College

Former City of Bath College student Peter France, the Chief Executive of Bath-based Rotork Plc, is to receive a prestigious Association of Colleges (AoC) Gold Award at the House of Commons.

College and Julian House get on their bikes for new course

City of Bath College has teamed up with leading Bath homelessness charity Julian House to launch a new cycle maintenance course.

Events >>

More News >>