Getting To Know: Josh Gregg

For the past decade, Josh Gregg has been a force in the UK underground, earning a reputation for his hypnotic productions and electrifying sets. Recognized by DJ Mag as a "rising Midlander," his music has captivated dancefloors from Britain to Europe, with releases on heavyweight labels like Skream’s Of Unsound Mind and Yousef’s CIRCUS. 2024 saw him take full creative control with the launch of Poles Apart—his own imprint dedicated to pushing boundaries. Now, as he steps into year two, he’s bringing the vision to life with his All Night Long series, proving that this journey is only just getting started.

You’ve been recognized as a "UK underground innovator" with a deep knowledge of electronic music. How has your style evolved over the past decade?

My style has always been quite eclectic but I think the major difference is I've learned to trust in my own taste and ideas.

I've stopped chasing waves and tried to make stuff that hits me in the chest. Rather than preconceived studio plans, I'll try to work from a blank canvas and let the idea take its natural course. The goal is to make things that would stop me when digging for tunes, and work as special records in memorable moments. 

Your tracks have gained support from legends like Pete Tong and Laurent Garnier. What does it mean to have industry heavyweights championing your work?

It's definitely an inspiration to keep working. So much time as an artist is spent questioning your output/decision/life, and things like that are super validating. The goal is longevity and to have people who’ve spent decades in the game appreciating what you do feels great.

2024 saw the launch of your imprint, Poles Apart. What inspired you to create your own platform, and how do you see it shaping your future projects?

I found it really hard to show people all of the bits I can do when it was spread in so many places. Poles Apart lets me tell the story of that, and how all these records make sense together. Modern music has been democratised to the point where artists can shape their own lane. It’s been really nice that people have reached out to tell me that the message has resonated with them, and inspired them to try things out themselves.

Launching the label has definitely allowed me to be more creative in production. ‘Do More’ [POLES007] was one of the first tunes I made after starting the project. That track moves between a few styles and doesn’t really fit in one box. The Poles Apart mantra!

Your upcoming 'All Night Long' series marks a new phase for Poles Apart in the live space. What can fans expect from these extended sets?

My start in this was playing all night in bars and local clubs. It taught me how to read rooms, pace the night and to curate the atmosphere from the start all the way to the end. I’m so excited to be back doing that. Musically it's a chance to really dive deep into the collection and move fluidly between sounds. I’ve been digging and writing like a madman in preparation for the launch on 18th April @ Artum in Birmingham. 

With such a strong foundation in production and performance, where do you see yourself pushing boundaries next in electronic music?

I think it's important for all of us to try and revive the community aspect of parties, and build scenes. There’s a detachment from interaction on dancefloors and it's taken things away from the experience of it all. I’ve got some fun plans for this but watch this space!