Josh Whettingsteel

Designer / editor — London

01Profile

A Josh Whettingsteel Photo

03Interview

Name, where are you from?
Josh Whettingsteel, Ladbroke Grove.

What do you do?
Designer, Writer and Magazine Editor.

Describe your style in three words
Athletic Pensioner Chic.

What have you been working on recently?
Working on our sixteenth issue of So Young with (co-founder) Sam Ford.

Which British icons inspire you?
Peter Blake, Ian Dury, Humphrey Ocean, Peter Saville.

Your favourite album artwork?
So difficult to answer because album covers are the main source of inspiration for what I do. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by Peter Blake has had the biggest effect on my life and career.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
We (So Young) put on HMLTD just as they were starting out, both in London and in Southampton. The Southampton show was particularly special as it was so small and intimate, nobody really knew who they were, but it was such an explosive show. HMLTD’s big shows are great but I think it’s in the small clubs where they really shine. That gig or any of the early Fat Whites shows in London are hard to top.

Which new British bands are you listening to?
It’s our job at So Young so loads, but at the moment, Insecure Men, Goat Girl and The Magic Gang.

04Playlist Notes

The first song you played on repeat?
'West End Girls' by Pet Shop Boys.

A song you wish you’d written?
'Apples' by Ian Dury.

The last piece of music you bought?
'I Don’t Wanna Dance (with My Baby)' by Insecure Men.

A song from your favourite album?
'Is It Raining in Your Mouth?' by Fat White Family from 'Champagne Holocaust'.

Best love song of all time?
'Rainy Night in Soho' by The Pogues.

A song you like that people wouldn’t expect?
'It’s Getting Better' by Cass Elliot, which I discovered watching ‘Beautiful Thing’. Best opening sequence in a film.

A song that defines the teenage you?
'Killamangiro' by Babyshambles.

Most meaningful lyrics to inspire change?
"It's so easy to laugh
It's so easy to hate
It takes strength to be gentle and kind"

From 'I Know It’s Over' by The Smiths.

03Interview

Name, where are you from?
Josh Whettingsteel, Ladbroke Grove.

What do you do?
Designer, Writer and Magazine Editor.

Describe your style in three words
Athletic Pensioner Chic.

What have you been working on recently?
Working on our sixteenth issue of So Young with (co-founder) Sam Ford.

Which British icons inspire you?
Peter Blake, Ian Dury, Humphrey Ocean, Peter Saville.

Your favourite album artwork?
So difficult to answer because album covers are the main source of inspiration for what I do. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by Peter Blake has had the biggest effect on my life and career.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
We (So Young) put on HMLTD just as they were starting out, both in London and in Southampton. The Southampton show was particularly special as it was so small and intimate, nobody really knew who they were, but it was such an explosive show. HMLTD’s big shows are great but I think it’s in the small clubs where they really shine. That gig or any of the early Fat Whites shows in London are hard to top.

Which new British bands are you listening to?
It’s our job at So Young so loads, but at the moment, Insecure Men, Goat Girl and The Magic Gang.

04Playlist Notes

The first song you played on repeat?
'West End Girls' by Pet Shop Boys.

A song you wish you’d written?
'Apples' by Ian Dury.

The last piece of music you bought?
'I Don’t Wanna Dance (with My Baby)' by Insecure Men.

A song from your favourite album?
'Is It Raining in Your Mouth?' by Fat White Family from 'Champagne Holocaust'.

Best love song of all time?
'Rainy Night in Soho' by The Pogues.

A song you like that people wouldn’t expect?
'It’s Getting Better' by Cass Elliot, which I discovered watching ‘Beautiful Thing’. Best opening sequence in a film.

A song that defines the teenage you?
'Killamangiro' by Babyshambles.

Most meaningful lyrics to inspire change?
"It's so easy to laugh
It's so easy to hate
It takes strength to be gentle and kind"

From 'I Know It’s Over' by The Smiths.

 

05Videos

Fred Perry Record Store Day tote designed by Josh Whettingsteel