DJ AirMiles: A Scottish chat with Joshua D about his move to Bali and the Asian DJ scene

E.M.A | 11th February 2019

Hot on the heels of my discovery of Bali Praia and chat with owners Mikey Moran and Fadi Alturk, I headed back to the studios for ‘Bali Praia Live’ where they broadcast DJ’s from their lounge across social media. 

Playing that night was Scottish DJ Joshua D, who caught my attention as he kicked off his set with one of my favourite tunes of last summer, ‘Electric Feel’ by PAX. 

Joshua has been working the DJ scene in Bali for six years now and is originally from Edinburgh, where he spent his childhood DJing in mates’ garages but never really pursued it as a career back home as his main job was being a development worker with homeless kids. 

After coming out to Bali for a month on a surfing trip, Joshua felt so at home with the Indonesian island he decided to take a risk, pack up his things back in Scotland and move out here. 

I managed to catch a few words with the Scottish DJ before his set at Mexicola…

E.M.A: It must have been a big move from the cold streets of Scotland to sunny Bali and very brave of you to make this move on your own! How did it all kick off for you here?  

Joshua D: I originally moved here for surfing and travelled around for six months at first surfing. 

I did a little bit of DJing back home at some local clubs, but I never really pursued it, but when I moved out here, I had some friends who DJ’d so I had some good contacts and started getting myself gigs and then running some events. 

I also started DJing for the biggest private party company in Asia called Ludih. I would DJ in wild villa parties or 80-foot catamarans, all really high end. It was an amazing start to DJing in Asia.

Back then there was no big clubbing or really a DJ scene out here, it’s developed so quickly in the last five years.



E.M.A: What was the first bar/club you DJ’d at in Bali? 

Joshua D: A place called Salty Seagull, they were having some great parties, Fisher who is now super famous was playing there and a few other big Ozzy acts. 

Also, when I was first DJing out here it wasn’t a very big house scene, there was a lot of commercial, rub and hip-hop so it was really about being diverse. 

I was already producing some house music, my thing is house and tech house that’s what I love to play, but the diversity really helps me understand music more, having to be diverse with what I play. It’s made me a better DJ. 

E.M.A: There seems to be a pretty big house scene here now especially in the beach clubs. 

Joshua D: Absolutely, it’s changing so fast, I think Bali will soon become the Ibiza of Asia. Even in the last three years there’s been new venues popping up and house music has been the music of choice. 

Five years ago, there was no beach clubs, even Potato Head is pretty new. In Canggu for example, there was only Deus a motorbike restaurant, which had a Sunday event and a band would play followed by a DJ. 

Now there’s a place called Old Mans, which is the centre of music down in Canggu. There’s also a techno bar and a beach party every night at the Sand Bar, it’s a really up and coming area. And for example, tonight there’s a pizza bar banging out house and techno. 

It’s becoming a real creative movement out here, like the guys at Bali Praia starting their music label, the W Hotel has an amazing studio and they host some amazing acts, DJs that would normally play to thousands of people at festivals, you can go to the Woo Bar in the W Hotel which is only 200 people and watch them for free, that’s what Bali is all about. 

It’s just amazing to be part of this movement and hopefully I can continue to contribute to the music scene to give it more credibility. 

E.M.A: So, you are a resident down at the Ulu Cliff House, one of my favourite spots in Bali, you have a house night every Friday. Tell me a bit about this? 

Joshua D: Ya the guys down there approached me wanting a diverse range of house music. They had a huge event last year called the Padang Padang Rip Curl surf championship and Ulu Cliff House was hosting the after party and they asked me to be the headline act. It went down really well so after that they wanted me to do more stuff with them.  

They have hosted some amazing acts like Carl Cox plus Fatboy Slim is playing there in April.

E.M.A: Ok so what would be your ultimate line up for your Friday nights down at Ulu Cliff House? You’re allowed two international DJs and two local DJs! 



Joshua D:  International: Fisher and someone old school like Fatboy Slim, locally: Fadi from Bali Praia and Shammui but there’s so much great local talent. 

E.M.A Best party you’ve played at in Bali? 

Joshua D: That’s a hard one! But I would say most recent has to be New Years’ Day party at Tropicola Beach Club. 

Late Night Tuff Guy was the headliner and I was playing back to back with the music director there, he’s from Mexico so there was a lot of Latin and jackin’ house, it was a really wild daytime party. 

E.M.A: For our readers back in the UK what’s Joshua D’s top three place to party in Bali? 

Joshua D: Wow! Well it depends on the night, for me personally, my favourite club in Bali is Jenja, they have an amazing sound system and they just have everything right! 

Beach club wise I would say Potato Head when they have big acts on, it’s a lot of fun down there, Ulu Cliff House is my favourite beach club for scenic views and DJs. 

And also, just for a cheesy fun great night out, leaving your ego at the door go to Mexicola, they have the biggest Monday night party. 

E.M.A: What are your plans for the year ahead? 

Joshua D: I’m going back to Europe, I’ve got some friends who work at Sola festival so hoping to play there. Hopefully a couple of gigs in Holland and a couple of gigs back home in the UK. And I’m wanting to do a lot more music production and get a few tracks out this year.

Follow Joshua D on Instagram and Mixcloud 

Keep upto date with E.M.A’s #DJAirMiles column every month only at www.vivamanchester.co.uk