Meet Jay, the rockstar barber. He and his partner, Kimberley, proudly own the new Kingston barbershop, That’s What’s Up Barber. Beyond being a hair expert, Jay is also a talented drummer who played with rock band The Lazys.

Where did you grow up? And where do you live now? I grew up in Claremont and Moonah and now I proudly live in Kingston.

You’ve just opened That’s What’s Up Barber there – how is business owner life? This is my second go at it. In 2016 I opened Bob’s Your Uncle Barbershop in Lutana. I started that with one chair and within three years I had four chairs running and booked out two to three weeks in advance. I ended that shop in 2019 when my daughter was born, to con­centrate on my family life. My beautiful partner Kimberley and I opened That’s What’s Up about a month ago. Our crazy little idea to open a barbershop hidden in an industrial estate in front of a boxing gym in Kingston was always about complementing our family life, pumping out wicked haircuts and listening to great tunes in a fun and relaxed space. So far it’s doing everything we could have hoped for and more.

You’ve teamed up with Brewlab to make a custom hot sauce. Why have hot sauce in a barbershop? Lesley from Brewlab is Kimberley’s sister. In the lead up to us opening the shop Lesley and Dave were super excited and wanted to make us a hot sauce as a celebration. We are so stoked that they were happy to do one for us – appropriately named That’s What’s Hot. Community, family, fun, whilst being bold and mysterious were core reasons why we decided to open That’s What’s Up, and I think having a hot sauce in the shop goes well with that.

You’re also a drummer, tell us about that. Mum bought me my first drum kit for my 14th birthday after I threatened to leave home if she didn’t (what an entitled brat!). I started playing in pub bands when I was 16. In 2009 a band from Sydney called The Lazys played a show down here. My band at the time were their support band and we ended up having a million beers together that night and auto­matically becoming best friends. A month later they rang me out of the blue and said their drummer had left the band and did I want to fly up to Sydney that weekend to fill in. I said yes and within a few months I was The Lazys full time drummer and living in Sydney. We spent a few years touring the east coast of Australia and in 2012 we were lucky enough to spend six weeks in New York recording an album. After that we signed to a Canadian record label, management and agency. We then started touring Canada two months at a time. In 2015 I decided I’d had enough of the rock and roll lifestyle and left the band, moving back to Hobart in 2016 to start my first barbershop.

What’s one thing you wish everyone knew about your job? Hair splinters. Ouch. One of the hazards of the job. After a big day cutting some of the little short sharp hairs can nestle in the skin. They can be really quite painful!

Who do you admire? My Mum. Strongest, nicest person in the world.

Favourite podcast or tv show? The Simpsons. I’ve generally found that any joke I’ve told and got a laugh from I’ve stolen it from The Simpsons.

Secret vice? The song Need You Now by Lady A. After spending 30 years playing rock and roll I really shouldn’t like this song but I really, really do.

What are you reading now? My time for reading has significantly reduced, so I listen to audiobooks in the car. Currently listening to Marching Powder by Rusty Young.

Do you have any pets? Sadly not anymore. I had a bulldog named Pancakes that passed away last year. She was always by my side in every shop I worked in and if you have ever had a haircut by me there’s a fair chance Pancakes was next to us. Irreplaceable.

What was your first job? A dishy at Pizza Haven, Derwent Park. I worked there for about six months before I started my hairdressing apprenticeship.

What are your daily news/social media habits? Just a fair bit of mindless scrolling.

Your favourite place for…

Breakfast: Rice paper rolls, Ja & Jon.

Lunch: Bahn mi, Ja & Jon.

Dinner: Pho, Ja & Jon.

Favourite team? Geelong Cats!

Dream holiday destination? Jamaica.

Favourite Tasmanian secret? Corinna. We went there last year. Stunning and so peaceful.

Parting words? GO CATS!!!