We kick off 2025 with some burning, random and – let’s face it – unnecessary questions – by us and by the Pure Trance community.
Happy new year, Rich! How are you doing? Did you have a good holiday season with your loved ones?
Rich: “Thanks! I’m doing ok, thanks. It was a quiet Christmas & New Year, just close family doing nothing adventurous in particular, just how I like it. I did just one show over the holidays, the incredible Euphoria25 in London.”
Are you the type to go for New Year’s Resolutions and strive for something in particular, go for a new goal or adventure?
Rich: “Absolutely not, I learned a long time ago to try not to set myself unrealistic goals just because it’s a new calendar year! I already have enough lists. And several wasted gym memberships over the years.”
A new and exciting year of Pure Trance music is about to kick off! Which releases are you most hyped about?
Rich: “I have so much brilliant music ready to go in 2025, including a quite spectacular collaboration between an artist named Shedding Feathers and Standard Form, several tracks from my favourite Chinese producer Ishiro, and something new from Polish wunderkind Aquarius.”
The first release was a Solarstone Pure Mix of Mario Caine’s ‘Patagonia’. What made you want to give this one a Pure treatment?
Rich: “When I compiled & mixed my disc of In Search of Sunrise 20 I completely fell in love with ‘Patagonia’, the melody is so euphoric, it’s unusual in trance in that it develops across 32 bars, and when it hits the second part it gives me goosebumps every time – I had it in my mind to make a Pure Mix, and when people in the twitch chat during Pure Trance Radio also suggested it… well I had no choice other than to do it!
Last year, Pure Trance events made their comeback, with editions in China’s Shenzhen, Helsinki and Johannesburg. Will we be seeing more of them across the globe in 2025?
Rich: “Yes indeed, we are working on some shows as we speak, one particular angle is the Solarstone & Orkidea: All Night Long concept which promoters are very keen on. Watch this space for announcements.”
The Producer Talk series also received a warm welcome! Any clue on who’s next to be interviewed by you?
Rich: “Well, Farius is the latest, he has an interesting story & take on things. As for other guests, it’s interesting that since we launched the interviews, I’ve had several artists get in touch asking to be a guest. Not giving anything away though.”
A while back, we asked the Pure Trance crowd which question they were dying to ask you. So Rich – hold tight, here we go!
Toni Savolainen:
What’s the best ‘not pure’ electronic music track of all times?
Rich: “I’m not sure how to answer that… there are so many pieces of music, it’s kind of impossible to say anything is ‘the best’. Sorry for the cop-out answer.”
Davie Thao:
Will you consider doing a vocal track or album with Britney Spears?
Rich: “Obviously this not a serious question. But of course, if she asked me to, I’d love to.”
I bought your signed Pure Trance Vol. 10 but it arrived not signed, can I mail it back to you to sign?
Rich: “No, but you can bring it to a show, and I’ll happily sign it for you there.”
Nath’ Stealey:
There’s only one question I want to ask but I know Rich has always been reluctant to disclose it, and that is what synth did you use for the lead on 7 Cities?
Rich: “Sorry, I can’t help you with that exactly, but I can tell you that the soul of that sound didn’t come from a synthesizer.”
Fernando Vera:
If you hadn’t been a DJ, what would you have liked to do in life ?
Rich: “Just a songwriter would have been a nice path, I never really had much interest in anything other than music. I’ve been described as a good listener, so maybe some kind of care work. Some kind of work that makes people feel better about things.”
Viv Craske:
What’s your favourite thrash metal album and why?
Rich: “Metallica – Master of Puppets. My son Oscar loves it and played it a lot in the car, I particularly love the brain twisting 21/32 title track.”
Dave Payne:
What track do you wish you had written/produced ?
Rich: “‘Eugina’ by Salt Tank.”
Jono McNeill:
Would you ever do a track with Factor B? I reckon that could be amazing.
Rich: “It has been discussed, so you never know.”
What’s your thought on all these polls these days, there’s so many around whether it be DJ mag or ASOT etc?
Rich: “I’ve never been a fan of popularity contests, it’s a terrible way to evaluate success. Comparison is the thief of joy.”
Piotr Dobrowolski
Could we expect your artist album in 2025?
Rich: “Yes.”
Which of your tracks you think is the most underrated?
Rich: “That depends on who is rating them… ‘Lovers’ didn’t make much of a splash when it was released, yet it is most definitely a firm fan favourite. I don’t know… I thought ‘Thinking of You’ would have done better, you never can tell.”
Paul ICZ & Stavie Yiannakou:
Could you explain to us, what makes trance music ‘pure’?
Rich: “My thoughts on that have been extremely well documented already! Back in 2012 it was described like this; “Pure Trance is a feeling, a state of mind, it’s the bringing together of millions of people for whom this music is a way of life”. I’d say that is as relevant now as it was then. Make up your own mind.”
Micha Mendel:
How do you feel about Ai involvement in music, is it a blessing or a curse for Solarstone and the Pure Trance movement?
Rich: “I’m not a fan of Ai being part of Art. I get sent a huge amount of tracks in the form of promos each week, and these days a large proportion feature awful dystopian Ai artwork. No thanks.”
Vidal Turcios:
Who is your favourite talent DJ or producer right now in current trance, whether pure trance or outside of it?
Rich: “Oh gosh, that’s a tough question answer, if I mention only one name, I have leave out another. Some names that excite me are Ishiro, Standard Form, William Byrne, Aeon Shift, Deepcry, Brian McCalla, Sonority.”
Hj Adi Zulhusni:
Is Electronic Architecture 5 coming?
Rich: “Always.
Robert Jan Bijleveld:
Will there ever be a Solarstone Pet Shop Boys remix?
Rich: “That’s up to them, I’d love to do it, if it’s the right track.”
What non-dance track would you love to remix?
Rich: “See my previous answer.”
Who would you love to do a collab with?
Rich: “Jon March of The Beloved.”
And let’s finish with a more cheeky question. I just started a DJ course (vinyl) last year. Could use some tips & tricks, so if you are again in The Netherlands, and have some spare time, would you come over and give me a quick masterclass?😇
Rich: “You’re better off asking Steve Helstrip.”
Matthew Behum:
What’s your real feeling on A State of Trance?
Rich: “I think it’s a great platform for trance music which has done a great deal for our scene since 2001.”
Liam Kennedy
Of all the tracks you’ve made over the years, which one is your personal favourite? Or which one are you most proud of?
Rich: “Gosh… it changes regularly! Obviously, I like all of them… but I love ‘4ever’ because it is the closest to the ‘perfect Solarstone record’ in terms of my vision of trance. ‘Lovers’ is another favourite as the lyrics state my feelings exactly. ‘Night Signals’ is a great one, and I also love ‘Sovereign’.”
Łukasz Powałowski:
What are your favourite forgotten tunes and albums/compilations?
Rich: “‘Symmetry C’ by Brainchild is something of a forgotten classic in my opinion… as for compilations I guess any of the Fantazia mixes would be good to get hold of digitally.”
Juan Naranjo
What do you think about the aliens making a comeback this year? ✌️ 👽
Rich: “The movie franchise, or the other-worldly beings?”
Thetonyhansen:
Is there still a place for true ‘journey’ tracks? The 8-12 minute builds giving the track time to breathe, e.g. Crescendo – Are You Out There? Or have shortened attention spans left us with 111-tracks-in-2-hour monstrosities like AvB’s review of 2024?
Rich: “Yes of course there is a place for them, I release them on my labels! I’m a big believer in ‘not rushing to the end’. +10 minutes is great by me, so long as its well-thought-out and each part of the song has earned its place. If an artist wants to send me a +10 minute version of their 6-minute track as an extra mix, I’m in.”
Fadinsilhouette
What happened to PureNRG and will it come back?
Rich: “Stranger things have happened.”
Jonathanroyksopp:
I have a lot of questions for you, but the most important one is this. What is your biggest source of inspiration for having so many musical styles?
Rich: “Life, the universe, everything! I just love all kinds of music and don’t intentionally build walls around myself. When I’m writing I just go with the flow. It’s not helped me in terms of my DJ profile, but it’s been fulfilling. It’s good to focus on one ‘sound’ for a while as it also focuses the audience, but it can only last so long, otherwise you become a tribute act to yourself.”
Will you come to Guadalajara in Mexico one day?
Rich: “I would love to, but have never been invited.
Brian McCalla:
What does Rich think of the current income desert that exists for producers, vocalists, and DJs alike and does he see anything changing in the future…or is this the new normal and our music is going to mostly be coming from people working other jobs to make ends meet? (Sorry, I know that’s a tough question…and it certainly applies to more than just dance music…but it’s good to get people’s opinions on it.)
Rich: “I think it’s a tragedy. Streaming is most non-touring musicians main source of income these days & until a user-centric royalty system is enforced on every platform, it will never be fair. When it comes to making art of any kind, time is the most precious resource, and time is expensive.”
ThaStrake | Simon
Aside Renegade Master, are there other cheeky parts of tracks, vocal or instrumental, you love to mix in livestreams and sets?
Rich: “Loads, you just need to check out my sets! My Rekordbox is packed with samples, loops & acapellas. I love mixing it up.”
And breathe… that was the list! Thanks for taking the time to reply! Anything else you would like to say to the Pure Trance movement?
Rich: “Don’t forget to look before crossing the road.”