Live music at Island Street Bar & Grill: Meet DJ Jack Smith
DJ Jack Smith is a particularly special performer at Island Street Bar & Grill because he was kind of born at our bar.
Having stepped in and saved the day one summer, he’s been a regular favourite ever since. With a number of performances coming up this winter, if you haven’t seen him yet, here’s what you need to know…
How did you get into music?
I’ve been in music all of my life. My first memories are about music and I’ve been drumming since I was eight; it’s all I’ve ever been interested in. I was really into metal as a teenager, and because no one really wanted to be in that kind of band, I learned how to produce music and got into DJing as well - it was a way to be involved and to perform.
How did ‘DJ Jack Smith’ first start?
I used to work at the Bar & Grill in the summers. I had been coming down to Salcombe for the summers for a long time, and one day I was working behind the bar and the band didn’t turn up. It was really busy, so I volunteered to go home and grab my decks. On that day I just played what I liked, which wasn’t necessarily the right music for the environment, but since then I’ve played a lot at Island Street and I always try to adapt what I choose to the audience that evening.
What can we expect to hear at your gigs?
What I play varies, depending on who’s there and the vibe, but it’s always a mix. I choose a lot of ‘80s and '90s hip hop combined with modern pop music. So that might include anything from the Fresh Prince of Bel Air to disco. I
You obviously know Island Street well by now - what’s your favourite thing on the menu?
Definitely the popcorn shrimp!