DJ Mag

Top 100 DJs / 49. Richard Durand

2009

49. Richard Durand

Style: Tech-trance
Best known for: My remix of TiÃ«sto's 'Lethal Industry'.
Gig of 2009: The Trance Energy Tour in Melbourne, Australia over Easter weekend.
Tune of 2009: Paul & Fritz Kalkbrenner 'Sky And Sand' (B Pitch Control)
Breakthrough DJ/Producer of 2009: Alex O'Rion
The track that changed your life: Patrick Bruel's 'Qui A Le Droit'. I saw him perform it on TV when I was 12, and I instantly knew I wanted to become a performer, too.

What makes a good DJ great: An ability to make a party fantastic under any circumstance.
Most underrated DJ: Andy Duguid should definitely get more appreciation for his work.
Biggest challenge this year: The release of my album 'Always The Sun'.
Top tech toy: My precious Mac Book!

Holland's latest trance superstar has really lived up to Tiësto's tip for the top in this poll a couple of years ago. The last 12 months have been massive for Richard, following yet another confident remix of a classic - Art Of Trance's 'Madagascar' - with an album of his own material, 'Always The Sun'.

"I wanted to show people that besides just making remixes, I'm also capable of making other kinds of music," he says.

His appearance in our poll is shifting his workload though, from producer to DJ. "Certainly this past year my DJ schedule has been crazy," he says of the influence of the Top 100. "I used to perform twice a week and spend the rest of my time in the studio. Nowadays, most of the time it's the other way around."

His time away from the studio has seen him perform in the US for the first time - where crowds of new faces sang along to his tunes - the Trance Energy Tour through Australia, and a residency at Eden. Next year sees a "hush hush" major project that connects a Durand radio show to a new compilation CD. He's not saying anymore - yet - so keep an eye on his website.

Words: James Kendall