Solarstone – TranceSound Festival 2011
Solarstone: The Music
Originally a 3 piece, Solarstone blazed a trail through the emergent days of trance, founding their name with the club hits like ‘Green Light’ (1995), ‘The Calling’ (1997) and ‘The Impressions EP’ (1998). As the first trance wave peaked in 1999 Solarstone left an indelible mark on the scene with the Top 40 hit ‘Seven Cities’. The track – one of, if not the first Balearic Trance anthems – has been re-released 3 times and has sold in excess of ½ million copies. Remixed in 2002 by Armin van Buuren, its instantly-recognizable sunset-sound legacy can still be heard in tracks today.
Over the following 6 years Solarstone continued to feed the masses with floor-busters like ‘Solarcoaster’ (2003), ‘Speak in Sympathy’ (2004), ‘Eastern Sea’ (2005) & ‘Like A Waterfall’ (2006). In May 2008 he released ‘RainStarsEternal’ – an album described by DJ Mag as “a consummate all-rounder from the UK’s original trance master”. ‘R.S.E.’ spawned six singles including ‘Spectrum’, ‘4ever’ & ‘Late Summer Fields’ – the latter of which Richard produced, sung and wrote the lyrics for. In the autumn of the following year its remix companion piece ‘RSEMIX’ was released with refashioned tracks from the likes of Ferry Corsten, Probspot, Stan Void, Jaksaw & Pedro del Mar.
June 2010 brought ‘RainStarsEternal’s successor … ‘Touchstone’. The album was a concentrated effort by Richard to chart the inspirations & influences that had gone to make up his musical psyche. They ranged from some of the most famous artists of the last 50 years to some of the most niche & hidden. To date it has generated the singles ‘Slowmotion’, ‘Electric Love’ and the title track (which DJ Mag called “energy-inducing” and Mixmag said was: “essentially the summer of ‘99 recalibrated and refined for 2010”). Its concept was embraced widely by press & fans (with Tilllate calling the album “”fantastic”, “beautifully produced” & “littered with club hits”). As with previous projects the album came with several groundbreaking multimedia angles. These included a revolutionary viral campaign involving the dissemination of Widgets & an online globe (or ‘Mindmap’) which allowed fans to exam all the influences in detail.
On the compilation front in 2000 he released the seminal ‘Chilled Out Euphoria’, an album still revered today for its multilevel mixing, followed by 2005′s ‘Destinations Vol 1′. ’2006 he released the 99-06 compendium album, ‘AnthologyOne’ and in the spring of 2009 Richard launched his next compilation series, Electronic Architecture. Born from his longstanding love of pop art, it won plaudits and acclaim around the world for its imaginative concept. It was hailed as “a magical blend of music, art and design” by Tilllate Magazine and in March 2010 was nominated for an IDMA award in the Best Full Length Mix category. In July of 2010 Richard had began to compile tracks for a second album in the series, provisionally titled ‘Elec2ronic Architecture’.
Solarstone: The Dj
Solarstone behind a pair of CDJs is something that every EDM lover, planet-wide, should witness at least once in their clubbing careers! Rich brings together a clear and abiding love of melody with an intrinsic, perceptive aptitude for floor-shaking performances. Since learning to spin in the late Nineties, he’s played for the majority of the super-club brands (inc. Cream, Ministry of Sound, Gatecrasher, Slinky & Euphoria) and spun alongside the worlds best-known DJs many times over. Unlike many other spinners he also maintains a huge home-country following, playing almost as much to UK audiences as to ones abroad. Rich’s worldwide travels have also taken him to some of the biggest events and festivals across the globe, and also some of the most remote. Over the years these have included islands in the Philippines, bush parties in Australia and massive festivals in the heart of Brazil.
Solarstone – The Guises:
In order to showcase different musical perspectives & sounds, Rich has also recorded under a number of pseudonyms. In 2002 he initiated the 80’s-referencing Young Parisians outfit, scoring a big debut with lamenting ‘U Write the Rules’. The act then skyrocketed with one of the 2004’s defining trance/prog tracks ‘Jump the Next Train’. In 1999 he released the underground anthems ‘The Hymn’ & ‘Jabberwock’ by Skyscraper on 4D Recordings, latterly re-releasing them on his own Deepblue label. He also has recorded alongside Andy Bury as Liquid State for Perfecto, as Space Kittens for Hooj Choons. Other guises include Richard Stone, Sunshine State and Z2.
Solarstone – The Remixes:
Over the years Solarstone has always maintained a rigid dichotomy between original production tracks and remix works. He has remixed for A-list names like Paul Oakenfold (‘Bullet in The Gun’), Ferry Corsten (on Moonman’s ‘Galaxia’ and most recently ‘Gabriella’s Sky’) & BT’s ‘Calling Your Name’. He has also stepped outside his traditional zone to refashion tracks by legendary acts like Radiohead, The Human League & Sarah McLachlan. Most recently he has worked on remixes of 00DB’s ‘Oxygene’, Tenth Chapter’s ‘Ghosts’ & Winterlight’s ‘Mirror’.
Solaris International – The Radio Show:
Solaris International is Richard’s long-running and widely-syndicated radio show. Working on a fully fleshed-out 2 hour format of features, interviews, guest mixes and regular spots, it has developed over two years from a cult following into a weekly essential tune-in for large sections of the electronic dance community. Presented on alternate weeks with Robbie Nelson, Solaris International broadcasts across some 50 FM & Internet stations including the Passion FM network to a listenership of over 8 million. In 2010 it celebrated its two hundredth show.
Solarstone – The Labels:
Solaris, Crashing Waves, Molecule & solarSwarm Recordings. Opening for business in August 1999, Richard co-owned, a&r’d and managed the Deepblue imprint – the launch-pad for a multitude of club hits (including ‘Like a Waterfall’, ‘Jump the Next Train’ & ‘Why’). He eventually parted company with the label in July of 2008. Alongside his progressive/experimental imprint Molecule and Crashing Waves, which releases more uplifting fare, he also owns and manages the Solaris Recordings, which has become the spiritual home of Solarstone’s recordings.
At the start of 2009, Richard launched solarSwarm, an online community record label for die-hard Solarstone fans. In the summer of the same year his insatiable label morphed into solarSwarm Recordings. In a ground-breaking move solarSwarm became the world’s very first social network record label. Managed and A&R’d by the Swarm, it quickly became a wildly popular endeavor and now has over 200 members regularly contributing to its output.
Solarstone In Quotes
What the Magazines say:
“’Touchstone’, Solarstone’s new artist album will shake up expectations of what trance should be.” DJ Mag (UK)
“Solarstone has definitely delivered an amazing piece of work on Electronic Architecture and understood perfectly how to combine different styles on this compilation.” Raveline
“A magical blend of music, art and design” that “recalls the understated magic of Sasha and Digweed’s first Renaissance albums”. Tilllate Magazine (UK)
“Electronic Architecture is a very strong and original compilation to say the least. Nothing of the typical uplifting trance sound, but very innovative and one that will last for another 10 years!” Release Magazine (Belgium)
“Solarstone has amassed a worldwide following from clubbers and DJs alike” M8 Magazine (UK)
“(Electronic Architecture is) a very different compilation than the ones we are accustomed to hearing… Without resorting to the obvious and commercial, it is one of the best shots of 2009!” DJ Sound Magazine – Brazil
“Solarstone has always been about quality rather than quantity” BPM Magazine (Canada)
“Top dog when it comes to the melodic monsters”. Mixmag (UK)
“Richard Mowatt proves his class. In the times of electro-trance stuffed with buzzing basses, he brings a unique beauty to his sound. It’s the kind of that we have seriously missed.” DJ Mag (Poland)
What the DJs and Producers say:
Armin: ‘Solarstone sets the standard for the best in Balearic dance music’.
Paul van Dyk: ‘I’ve been playing his music for more then 10 years now’
Tiësto: ‘Solarstone never disappoints… warm, beautiful and just amazing music’.
Ferry Corsten: ‘Always been a fan of Solarstone….’
Above & Beyond: ‘Solarstone is the REAL DEAL!’
Prepared by Tim Stark
Chronology
2010
April: Rich remixes Mory Kante’s classic ‘Yeke Yeke’. The 2011 Revamps hit the Buzzchart No. 1. Single ‘Big Wheel’ is released, complete with a ‘Smashing Atoms’ version. Electronic Architecture 2 is released on the 25th.
March: EA2 website and trailer are launched, the website boasts a cutting edge interactive ‘design your own artwork’ feature. Rich remixes Aly & Fila’s ‘Still’.
February: Single ‘Is There Anyone Out There’ is released, taken from the Touchstone long-player, announcing Rich’s tougher new ‘Smashing Atoms’ pseudonym.
2010
August: 4 days after it is promoed, Armin van Buuren makes ‘Touchstone’ the single Single of the Week on ASOT. In the press DJ Mag calls it “energy-inducing” & “the next evolutionary step in the ‘Seven Cities’/‘Solarcoaster’/‘4Ever’ saga”. Mixmag meanwhile gives it 4/5 and says that that its: “essentially the summer of ‘99 recalibrated and refined for 2010”. Remixes come from Aly & Fila, Forerunners and Cassino & Laben.
June: on the 28th of the month Solarstone releases his 2nd full solo album. Entitled ‘Touchstone’ its aim is to musically map the inspirations – both big and small – that have gone to make up Solarstone. It is once again backed by several cutting-edge marketing aspects, including a revolutionary viral campaign involving the dissemination of Widgets & an online ‘Mindmap’ which charts the Touchstone influences.
April: As a precursor to the new album Solarstone releases ‘Electric Love’. It features the vocals of Southern Electrics front-man and former Z2 (of classic anthem ‘I Want You’ fame) collaborator, Bill McGruddy.
March: Molecule recordings – Solarstone’s new experimental label – launches with Solarstone’s own ‘Slowmotion’ track. After six months of setting up solarSwarm the label also releases its first single. Over the course of the month of March Solarstone is interviewed by both the English and Polish editions of DJ Magazine.
Solaris International celebrates its 200 episode.
January: Electronic Architecture is nominated for an IDMA (International Dance Music Award) in the Best Full Length DJ Mix Category.
2009
Solarstone releases Electronic Architecture – a double CD compilation which focuses on the axis of music and art. The release is notable for is use of a large number of unknown acts. In January of 2010 it was nominated for a International Dance Music Award in the Best Full Length DJ Mix Category.
June: Rich launches new Uplifting Trance Soundklash label imprint Crashing Waves.
In July insatiable Records is renamed solarSwarm Recordings and becomes the world’s first social network record label. A&R and managed by the emerging Solarstone Swarm inner-circle it proves to be a viral hit and now has several hundred members contributing. ‘
Remixes of Jean Michel Jarre’s seminal ‘Oxygene’, Winterlight’s ‘Mirror’ and Ferry Corsten’s ‘Gabriellas Sky’ are released. Single ‘Part Of Me’ featuring Elizabeth Fields is released with Thrillseekers remixes. Under his 2nd Element guise Rich releases a 2 track ambient single featuring ‘Underwaterfall’ and ‘Gathering Storm’. ‘Later Summer Fields’, a selection of new mixes of ‘Late Summer Fields’ is released including remixes from Ferry Corsten and Forerunners. This year also sees the release of RSEMIX, the Rain Stars Eternal remix album and the Solarstone mixed ‘Tidy @ Magna’ compilation.
2008
This year starts with heavy anticipation of the debut Solarstone long-player ‘Rain Stars Eternal’. The single of the same name rocks floors worldwide and is supported widely. Rich unofficially remixes Radiohead’s ‘House Of Cards’ and is universally acclaimed for its dark and brooding undertones. Rich quits the faltering Deepblue label and takes at Solaris Recordings, renaming the radio show Solaris International. The show continue’s to grow in popularity and a weekly podcast is released.
A collaboration with Mr Sam & Andy Duguid entitled ‘Hold My Breath’ which again features Rich on vocal duties is recorded in early April and is included on Mr Sam’s ‘Opus’ album. ‘Rain Stars Eternal’ is released. The 11 track album is noted as “a 2.0″ for Solarstone. Reviews are extremely strong across the board & Ferry Corsten calls it as “The best artist album of 2008″. Summer-themed singles ’4ever’ and ‘Spectrum’ are released and Rich embarks on a 35 date world tour, taking in all major territories. ’4ever’ gets a single-sided-signed-coloured-12″-Vinyl-only release (a determined attempt by Solarstone and Solaris to combat the illegal downloads issue). Solarstone enters DJ Magazine’s Top 100 DJs chart at 93. A brand new Solarstone website is launched, complete with its own ‘Solar Shop’. Solarstone performs at Ferry Corsten’s ‘Full-On-Ferry’ in the Netherlands, DJing in a flying ‘UFO’ dj booth to over 15,000 people. At this event a viral marketing campaign is unleashed for the solarSwarm, an inner-circle of Solarstone / Solaris fans who have direct input into Solar operations.
Solarstone launches his ‘Next Big Thing’ competition, a talent scouting exercise as he begins to compile ‘Electronic Architecture’, a bar-raising multi-genre 2 X CD compilation album scheduled for release in April 2009. Lunar Rings is the next single, with promo beginning in late November.
2007
Due to an inevitable growing difference in musical taste and direction, Rich & Andy part company. Rich begins work on the debut Solarstone full length Artist album, entitled ‘Rain Stars Eternal’ which is scheduled for release in May 2008. Dj dates in Finland, Tokyo, Taipei, Jersey, Ireland and a short tour of America ensue to promote the forthcoming single ‘Late Summer Fields’ (a collaboration with Alucard featuring Rich in writer, producer and vocalist roles). The 3rd Young Parisians single ‘Obsession’ is released on Tokyo Recordings. A collaboration with Finnish Dj Orkidea produces a track entitled ‘Slowmotion’ which is subsequently released on Orkidea’s ‘Metaverse’ album via Ava Recordings.
The Radio Show starts to snowball in popularity, broadcasting across 40+ stations worldwide to millions of listeners. Robbie Nelson joins Rich on the show on a bi-weekly basis.
Rich launches new label ‘insatiable records’, which kicks off with Steve Birch’s ‘Edge Of The Ocean’.
New Solarstone single ‘Late Summer Fields’ is released, it is a collaberation with Canadian producer / dj Alucard, and features Rich in writer, producer and singer / songwriter roles for the first time on a Solarstone release. Reviews are brilliant: “…Late Summer Fields could be the one to apply serious pressure to the status of ‘Seven Cities’ …. Stunning – 5/5″ DjMag.
2006
Rich has his first baby boy on New Years Day!
Deepblue announce 4 new label offshoots: Limited // International // Digital // Tokyo Recordings.
Destinations Vol 1, a rand new dj mix compilation is released with fantastic reviews worldwide, the album is a real collage of musical styles seamlessly blended. ‘Like A Waterfall’ is released in the UK on deepblue and in Europe by Black Hole. ‘Eastern Sea’ is released on new label ‘Solaris Recordings’.
‘AnthologyOne’ is released, marking (almost) 10 years of Solarstone productions. It is a double cd collection of Solarstone’s best original works of the last 10 years, a short worldwide tour ensues taking in the USA and Europe.
2005
Solarstone complete their first ‘AfterHours’ remix, for Platipus – ‘Libra – Calling Your Name’ and then are subsequently asked to compile and mix their first compilation for Telstar – the highly plaudited and acclaimed ‘Chilled-Out Euphoria’ – still regarded by many as the finest example of the genre. This is 6 months work and a real labour of love for Andy & Rich. Remixes for Matt Darey ‘Liberation’ and Chris Bangs ‘Warm Weather’ are released this year, plus a minor release on Hooj ‘Z2 – Black Finished Chrome’. Remixes completed for Jan Johnston (Perfecto) and Junk Project (Liquid Asset).
A bit of time off this year to concentrate on developing the Deepblue label and its offshoots, and setting up the new online store DeepBlueDigital. The Website is completely revamped by Andy (who incidentally designs all the deepblue artwork & built the website – Rich is responsible for A & R).
In the studio, a Young Parisians album is in progress, with a clutch of across-the-board material recorded.
A Solarstone single ‘Eastern Sea’ is released on Solaris Recordings, to rave reviews and continued Dj support.
Andy & Rich compile and mix their next mix album ‘Destinations Volume 1′, intended to represent their worldwide travels. It’s a joint venture between Deepblue and Solaris Recordings and another labour of love, the album takes 2 months to complete. Seven Cities gets a repress as part of the S12 Classics Series.
Deepblue launch the DeepBlueRadioShow, featuring Rich & Andy dropping current and classic tunes once a month broadcast across FM and Web stations worldwide.
2004
Two more collaborations with Scott Bond are released, and Deepblue run a remix competition to find new talent for Deepblue and new label MadeInEngland. Solarstone team up with Jes Brieden (Motorcycle) and record a single ‘Like A Waterfall’ which is signed to dj Tiesto’s record label.
Deepblue signs Whirlpool’s ‘Under The Sun’ and score a huge club hit with a Solarstone remix.
A Worldwide summer tour takes in the Middle East, Malaysia, Australia, Canada and Athens. Unfortunately the Made In England label folds due to economic pressure. Solarstone remix Sarah McLachlan ‘Worlds On Fire’ (Nettwerk).
The second Young Parisians single ‘Jump The Next Train’ is released, featuring Ben Lost on vocal duties – this is Rich & Andy’s biggest hit since ‘Seven Cities’, tearing up dance floors worldwide. The track is licensed globally.
A Solarstone dj tour proceeds which is polished off with a live performance at ‘Ahead’ in Sheffield on New Years Eve.
2003
Solarstone release ‘Release’ and ‘Destination’- two brand new tracks. Both are universally acclaimed and very popular with the two biggest djs of the time Tiesto and Paul Oakenfold. ‘Solarcoaster’ receives the remix treatment and drops like a bomb on the global trance scene.
Andy & Rich compile and mix Disc 1 of ‘Exhibition’, a retrospective of Lost Language releases.
The scene is generally in decline at this point, sales are down across the board and many major and indie labels go to the wall, including giants such as Telstar, unfortunately the knock-on effect wipes out many smaller labels also, Deepblue hangs on by the skin of its teeth by grim determination.
Solarstone team up with Scott Bond and release the massive hit ’3rd Earth’, bucking the trend of the day and shifting enormous amounts of single-sided white label copies. The track is then signed to ID&T with a Marco V remix.
A new alias ‘Young Parisians’ is created as an outlet for a new electronic sound, the first release ‘U Write The Rules’ features Rich on vocals and a Solarstone remix, which cleans up across the board.
Another chilled remix follows for Nettwerk entitled ‘Centre Of The Sun’, contrasting with a dark progressive remix for Platipus of ‘Born To Synthesize’ by Mona Lisa Overdrive.
FingerLickin sign the ‘Herbgrinder’ track (remixed by Brothers Bud) and it rocks breaks floors worldwide on release.
2001/2
The After-Hours sessions begin, Rich is smoking a lot of weed and Andy is drinking a lot of red wine at this stage!
Ambient mixes for Oakenfold ‘Southern Sun’ (Perfecto), Conjure One & Sounds Form The Ground (Nettwerk) are recorded, as well as a glorious chill mix of ‘Falling’, a track recorded under the alias Liquid State with Marcella Woods on vocals.
After a break of 2 years DeepBlue is relaunched with Elizabeth Fields’ debut release, the Solarstone produced ‘Speak In Sympathy’ – one of Solarstone’s most enduring and popular tracks. Andy & Rich team up with Brothers Bud member Dom Farrington and release the Herbgrinder E.P – two slabs of chunky groovy progressive house.
Ben Lost enthusiastically takes over the running of ‘Lost Language’, the Trance arm of Hooj, and discovers ‘Solarcoaster’ and another shelved Solarstone track ‘Green Light’ sitting on the Hooj shelf covered with dust. Both tracks still sound fresh, and they are released, followed up swiftly by a re-issue of ‘Seven Cities’ complete with a remix from upcoming Dutch dj Armin Van Buuren. The remix is a massive success, propelling Armin into the big league and narrowly missing the Top40.
After much demand, Rich & Andy decide to dust down their headphones, record boxes and cd’s, and get out on the road with a series of worldwide DJ appearances, starting with Gatecrasher in Sheffield to rave reviews. They have subsequently built a reputation as one of the trance scenes most respected dj duos, touring worldwide all year round.
2000
Another spattering of remixes follows, including Space Manoeuvres (Hooj), Cygnus X-The Orange Theme (Hooj), Matt Darey – From Russia With Love (Liquid Asset), the massive Bullet in the Gun (Perfecto) remix that sends the record spiralling into the Top Ten, and also their remake of Moonman’s Galaxia – one of their personal favourites, and most popular remixes. Judge Jules says “Solarstone are going to be massive this year.” Not a lot else happens that year!
Remixes for Serious and Avant Garde are released. Platipus Records sign ‘z2 – I Want You’ and it’s a hit all over again.
A stalemate situation begins to emerge with Hooj Choons, whose change in musical direction (dull progressive druggy bongo music) alienates Rich & Andy, and subsequently their follow up to Seven Cities – ‘Solarcoaster’ is shelved.
Andy has his hair cut short and to the amazement of everybody – it suits him!
1998/1999
A second Solarstone single is released by Hooj – The Impressions EP including ‘Day By Day’, also featuring Kym Marsh.
A difference in musical direction emerges between Rich & Andy in the one camp, and Sam in another. Sam prefers a more breaks orientated direction, whereas Rich & Andy prefer to focus on this new Trance sound. Sam leaves the band citing ‘musical differences’
Rich has his hair shaved off but Andy still has long hair
Rich & Andy move into a new bigger and brighter studio and record a brand new single ‘I Want You’ under the new name of ‘Z2′. Deepblue is set up as a launch pad for this new project, and ‘I Want You’ is a massive hit , supported by Sasha, PVD and every major trance dj at the time. Another string of remixes follows, including Ecano-’Run’ for FourD (one of Rich & Andy’s personal favourite remixes). A hilarious experience with a bunch of likely lads from London produces a huge flop in the form of ‘Zodiac – Touch The Sky’, better best forgotten, and also Rich & Andy experiment with the sound of Speed Garage under the moniker of ‘Bass Oddity’ – just for fun.
Rich drives like a bat out of hell to the studio one morning after awaking from a dream with the melody and chord structure of what was to be entitled ‘Seven Cities’ fresh in his ears. Andy arrives at the studio and hears the music and says “Cor… what’s that?”. Rich & Andy spend a month perfecting the production, and then this is where it all kicks off big time…despite initially turning down what turned out to be one of Trance’s defining moments, Hooj buckle under popular pressure and release Seven Cities. It enters the national chart selling 20,000 copies in the first week of release.’Seven Cities’ has since been described as ” The best trance record of the last 10 years” (Djmag)..
1997
Rich, Sam & Andy develop a new Trance based sound, the first track is entitled ‘The Calling’, a blend of breaks and trance sounds. Red Jerry describes it as ‘ahead of its time’. A new name is required for this different sound, and after much deliberation (and threats from Hooj to christen the band ‘The Pleasure Tendency’ Rich Andy & Sam settle ‘Solarstone’. ‘The Calling’ is released – the track narrowly misses out on a Top 40 place. More remixes follow in this new style, notably Energy 52 ‘Cafe Del Mar’ (but everyone plays the ‘Three ‘N’ One’ remix!), Sapphire ‘Never Be Lonely Again’ and Chakra ‘Home’. Another Solarstone track is recorded featuring ‘Hearsay’ star Kim Marsh entitled ‘Prayer’, but this is shelved.
1996
‘Storm’ is signed to Hooj Choons, and released as a single – it reaches no. 47 in the charts. A bunch of remixes follow for artists like Jimmy Sommerville ‘By Your Side’ (Jimmy calls Rich to congratulate him on the remix, Rich nearly faints from star – struck fever), Human League ‘Stay With Me Tonight’, Lisa Moorish ‘Mr Friday Night’ and also 3 mixes for Perfecto (Grace ‘Down To Earth’, Minds Of Men ‘Brand New Day’ and Johann ‘New Kicks’).
1995
‘Rich Mowatt is the keyboard player with indie-dance band Emission, has dreadlocks and works as a body-piercer in Birmingham. Andy Bury is a pirate radio dj with long hair, they both frequent an indie/rock club in the Midlands called ‘JBs’. Rich calls the radio station to request they play his first single release – Emission ‘Life’s Not Real’ – Andy takes the call, professing to being something of an Emission fan – they meet at a gig and discuss their mutual passion for electronic music. Andy introduces Rich to Sam Tierney, and together the 3 create their first release – The Space Kittens ‘Aquanaut E.P’ on their own label ‘Sunflower Vibes’. Pete Tong plays 2 tracks from the E.P on his Radio 1 show – ‘Storm’ and ‘Dolphin’.
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