Interview: Josh Demello on life as an Ibiza resident DJ

Josh Demello is living proof that with hard work and a dedication to music becoming a DJ is achievable. His love of music started early when as a 10 year old his father brought him along to the illegal raves and warehouse parties that were hugely popular in the UK during the 90's. Josh went on to collect vinyl from this young age and naturally begun to start DJing. Now well established and in demand, Josh regularly plays throughout the UK and Ibiza with his versatile blend of good quality house music.

Josh currently holds residencies for Mission, Mint and The Warehouse in Leeds and at Kanya in Ibiza on the Sunset strip, where he plays 7 days a week. Always busy, Josh regularly receives guest slots at some of Ibiza's biggest nights including Amnesia, Privilege, Space and Sankeys.

As the 2012 Ibiza season draws to a close, Skiddle caught up with Josh to find out his season highlights and what it's like to be a resident DJ on the island.

What were your first memories of Ibiza?
Seeing Roger Sanchez's seven hour set from start to finish at Pacha in 2004. It was the first club I'd been to in Ibiza and I was only 15! I stood on the balcony looking down at Roger and the crowd from start to finish, and watching how he controlled the crowd and took them on a musical journey was hugely inspirational. That night really put things into perspective for me and made me realise how much I love house music, and that I wanted to become a DJ. Also other memories from that year are from Bora Bora beach bar - and seeing Gee Moore rock the place all day!

You have already mentioned being inspired by Roger Sanchez, but what other DJs and nights on the island inspire you?
I'd have to say Sasha, Simon Dunmore, Pete Tong, Erick Morillo, Luciano, Andy Baxter and Jason Bye specifically, and as nights go - We Love at Space, Defected at Pacha, Cocoon at Amnesia, Circoloco at DC10 and Cream Amnesia.

How did you residency at Kanya come about?
I've been coming to Ibiza for years and through playing guest slots at Kanya I was asked last year to be the resident for the summer. I'm now into my second summer of playing here, and I love it! I play long sets throughout the day and night. As I really enjoy playing long sets, this works really well for me. We have had some great pre-parties this year and some great pool parties with some big guest DJs.

Alongside your residency at Kanya, you regularly play at Cream Amnesia. What was it like to play the opening at the beginning of the season?
Yeah it was amazing. I've played on the Terrace at Amnesia for Cream previously, but to play the main room for the Cream opening was definitely a highlight of my DJ career. I was on first so I warmed the place up nicely. The room filled up quickly, and overall it was a great success. I recorded the set live and you can listen and download it from my SoundCloud. I have played at Amnesia nine times this season, The main room and Terrace have all been good sets - especially Cream closing last week when I played the closing set, and it was still busy till 7:30am.

Sounds good! What have been your other highlights of the season so far?
So many highlights this season - it's been a great year! For example, playing in front of thousands of people in the main room at Privilege for Radio 1 after some of the biggest names in the business like Pete Tong, Annie Mac, Sebastian Ingrosso, Eats Everything and Benny Benassi. Other highlights included playing to a packed Amnesia Terrace after Eric Prydz and closing the Terrace for the Cream closing party, and my set at Space Ibiza for Carl Cox's Revolution night. I also attended the Ibiza Music Summit at the start of the season which was good fun.

There is plenty to do on a holiday in Ibiza. What would you recommend is worth checking out during your stay?
There's loads to do, lots of nice beaches. My favourites are Salinas and Benniras, and I'd advise to stick around for sunset there. There's a lot of great restaurants on the island one - of my favourite places to eat is Kumharas in San Antonio Bay. It's a really chilled out place, great to watch the sunset and relax on the beach, The restaurant features an Asian style menu in a Moroccan theme, with cushion seating and low tables. The food is great! I recommend the Chicken Wok followed by the coconut cheese cake - wow. There's also a small hippy market there and after the meal I usually go on to the beach and enjoy a cocktail. Still on the food front I also highly recommend Passion in Playa d'en Bossa. They do amazing healthy and vegetarian foods. The best salads I've ever had!

One of the best places I like to party is Underground, located in San Rafael between San Antonio and Ibiza Town. It's a small venue but with a great atmosphere. They play good quality underground house and techno with big guest DJs - always a good night!

Good tips! Underground is one of my shouts too. Finally, what would you say are your favourite tracks of the season so far?
It's not particularly been a massive hit in Ibiza this year but for me Burnski's track 'Got You' has been my favourite track of the year, and I've played it in a lot of my sets. Also of note is Julio Bashmore, 'Au Seve'. HUGE track! I think I'd say that Future Sound Of London's 'Papua New Guinea' is my ultimate Ibiza track though.

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Catch Josh back on UK soil at The Warehouse and Mint Warehouse in Leeds.