Richard Durand is a trance and tech-trance DJ and producer from Amsterdam, Netherlands. Born in 1976, he becomes established in the late 2000s as one of the best-known Dutch names in the harder-edged side of trance, with a sound described in terms of trance, techno and tough electro.

Early production work

He first gains attention as a solo producer with tech-trance tracks such as Make Me Scream and Slipping Away, released on Terminal 4. His early profile grows quickly through official remixes and club support, and he is recommended by Tiësto as a “Tip For The Top” in 2007.

Remixes and profile

Durand builds a reputation as a remixer through work on Tiësto tracks including Lethal Industry, Flight 643 and Break My Fall. He also reworks tracks by The Prodigy, Snow Patrol, Fragma and Armin van Buuren, including Smack My Bitch Up, Chasing Cars, Toca's Miracle and In And Out Of Love. These remixes help establish him as a prominent name among DJs such as Armin van Buuren, Paul van Dyk, Ferry Corsten, Judge Jules and Eddie Halliwell.

Albums and singles

His solo track Weep, featuring Skin from Skunk Anansie on vocals, is signed to Perfecto and becomes one of his best-known releases. In 2009 he releases his debut artist album, Always The Sun, on Magik Muzik / Black Hole Recordings. The album produces the singles Into Something, Always The Sun and No Way Home.

DJ career and radio work

Durand develops a strong reputation as a DJ, using four CD decks and effects units in his sets. He plays major festival and club brands including Sensation, Trance Energy, Planet Love, Coloursfest, Tunnel Electrocity, Summer Of Love, Godskitchen, Gallery, Gatecrasher and Slinky, and he holds a summer residency at Judgement Sundays in Ibiza. He also receives an Essential Mix on BBC Radio 1 and co-hosts shows twice with Judge Jules on Radio 1.

Recognition

He reaches number 49 in the 2009 DJ Magazine poll, and he makes a new entry in the DJ Magazine Top 100 DJs poll at the end of 2007. His career is marked by strong playlist support and repeated festival and club bookings across international dance music circuits.

Label

He is associated with Reloaded Music.