The last 24 months have seen a meteoric rise for the enigmatic Trance Producer/DJ Standerwick. Hailing from the South West of England, Standerwick has claimed 18 Top Ten tracks in the Beatport Trance Chart including 4 numbers No.1’s. He has also become one of the most in demand DJs in the scene, playing all over the world from Australia to Argentina to North America. On the 12th March he returns to London to play at Trance Sanctuary’s 5th Birthday and we decided to find out how his newfound success has been going.
Hi Ian, you recently played at the big A State Of Trance 750 party in Toronto, what was that experience like?
Off the chart! The whole ASOT experience is always a very special one. I still had amazing memories from playing in Utrecht in 2014 right at the start of things for me so I thought I knew what to expect, but Toronto really was way over my last experience and expectations. Playing main stage was a new experience altogether, I can’t really explain or describe what the feeling is like other than it was the pinnacle of everything for me. Very humbling too, especially the barrage of well wishes and positive feedback which hasn’t stopped since.
How does it feel to be selected by Armin van Buuren to play, especially with you being the only 138 style artist on the bill?
I was pretty taken back to say the least. I was given the nod by my agent just as I was getting off of the Trance cruise earlier last year after possibly the worst sea sickness of my life lol. So it was greatly received as I was still feeling so ill! Of course it’s an absolute honour to be selected to represent the 138 scene so I hope I did the scene proud. I just sometimes wish the gravity of such an opportunity would sink in more and not feel like just a dream which is often the case playing main stages. Maybe it sinks in one day when you’re sat in an armchair next to your Zimmer frame reminiscing of the past, who knows!?
How do you find the experience of playing in arenas compared to playing in clubs?
They are 2 totally separate entities, but each has its own dynamics and appeal for me. I do love the more intimate venues with smaller numbers as much as I do the arenas with the masses. Club venues can be really special for me especially when you have that connection with the crowd. It’s often hard to connect at the arena type shows but when you do like Toronto, the feeling and rush is like nothing else on this planet, and I’ve tried most things lol.
In 2015 you become the number 1 selling Trance artist on Beatport. Just how much did that mean to you?
It meant a huge amount to me, even though there were many who were telling me that Beatport positions etc were not important and not a true representation of things. But you know what, eat my shorts, I was well proud. I could rant on and on about this but its something achieved and something to be happy about.
Your rise in the Trance scene has been very quick compared to many other established artists seeing as you only started regularly releasing tracks in 2013. How life changing has it been?
Well to be honest, like I said earlier, I just wish it did feel different! I make music in the week and travel a bit at weekends in my head. I guess having an amazing family keeps things well in perspective, which for me is a Godsend. I often wonder why it didn’t happen when I was younger, and then I realise I would likely be in a well-fitted box feeding the worm’s lol. My sanity from it all is a Monday or Tuesday morning after returning home walking the kids to school and being a regular person and Dad. I think reality is the best tonic for keeping your feet on the ground and not becoming a nob head, ‘check me out’ idiot.
What productions have you got coming out over the next few months?
A collaboration with Ben Gold called Vindicta, which is a little different for me, but a chance to show some versatility which only a good thing. A couple of high profile remixes which will be officially revealed over the next month or so. I have also just had Gareth Emery in the studio working on collaboration, which was amazing fun. I really respect Gareth and his journey in music, especially what he has achieved. The track we are working on is very special and no one needs to fear, it’s absolutely in line with what I’ve been doing for the past few years. Full on Trancer. I am also about to start work on a new vocal collaboration with a guy whose voice takes me to a whole different place. This person was at the top of my bucket list to work with and I can’t believe he was up for doing something together. He is top of the tree for me and the vocals he has sent back over a little piece of music I had sent him are not just good, they are breath taking! This track will be my biggest yet I really believe that.
Last year you remixed John O’Callaghan’s ‘Find Yourself’. How did that come about and how challenging was it to put a new spin on a classic?
John asked me to mix the Subculture residents compilation and asked if I could write an exclusive for the album so I asked John if he would allow me to remix one of his own back catalogue tracks. John said I could choose whatever track I wanted! So I spent the day listening to all things JOC and it wasn’t difficult to narrow it down. Challenging didn’t apply. Most producers will know that some tunes almost write themselves in literally a few days, not counting the few weeks of polishing afterwards. Some tunes take weeks and weeks. 'Find Yourself' took me under a week to lay out the bulk of the tune, just happened all by itself really. Love it when that happens.
You are playing at Trance Sanctuary’s 5th Birthday on the 12th March. It's nearly 2 years since you last played for them so what are most looking forward to about playing at this party?
I still have such vivid memories from playing in 2014 at the HeavensGate party and how mad Woody van Eyden is! I remember playing my first track and how it kicked off from that moment until the end. The London crowd are always up for it and there was such a connection last time so I hoping for just the same again. A room full of people, who leave life at the door, come in to let go, and jump into the music. Perfect.
Finally what are your aims for the rest of 2016?
Quality over quantity. To keep moving forwards and hopefully touching peoples lives with my music, that’s what I’ve always wanted . . . simple.
All images courtesy of Trance Sanctuary and Standerwick. Not to be reproduced without permission.
**Tickets**
Last years Birthday event sold out so make sure you purchase your tickets to guarantee your place on the dance floor.
£10 Early Bird - SOLD OUT
£12 Super Saver - SOLD OUT
£15 Saver
£17 Standard
£20 Saver + After Party
From hosting a 200 capacity room at Raduno in 2011, to selling out 4 rooms at Egg London in 2015, Trance Sanctuary has risen to become one of the most respected Trance events in the UK scene. We are now incredibly excited to announce our 5th birthday party on 12th March, with our biggest lineup to date!
Trance Sanctuary 5th Birthday
Egg London 15:00-23:30
Basement
John O'Callaghan (Trance Sanctuary debut)
Standerwick
Sneijder
Paul Denton (London Debut)
Mark Landragin
Jorge Care
Terrace hosted by BangMessy
Fisherman & Hawkins (Trance Sanctuary debut)
Ali Wilson & Chris North (Vandit)
Messy A
DJ 54LTY
Loft - 140+ hosted by Elevation Audio
Phil Reynolds
Ashley Walters (Frantic)
Lewis Duggleby
Luke Warner
Adam Deane
Garden hosted by Alter Ego Records
Duncan Newell
Luigi Palagano
Boxer & Forbes
Controlwerk
Erik Foureye
Barbie
Please note we will be using Skiddle's Rapid Scan Barcode system for the first time to hopefully speed up entry. So you must produce the barcode of your ticket when entering. For more info click here http://bit.ly/1TAl628
If our event falls on your birthday weekend, we'll make it extra special by giving you and a guest free entry. Just send us an email to info@trancesanctuary.com
**DJ Info**
Basement
Coming aboard for his Trance Sanctuary debut will be the legendary John O'Callaghan, a man known anthems such as ‘Big Sky’, ‘Find Yourself’ and more recently ‘Games’, as well as tracks and remixes covering every sub-genre of Trance and even techno under his Joint Operations Centre alter ego. On the DJ front, he has played at major festivals including ASOT, Creamfields and Ultra.
Joining John in the Basement is Standerwick, one of the fastest rising talents on the scene today. Standerwick has had an explosive year, being the number 1 selling Trance Producer on Beatport in 2015, and playing at massive trance festivals around the world including FSOE and Grotestque.
Having headlined our Summer boat party in August 2015, Sneijder is a man who needs no introduction. His signature fusion of uplifting and tech trance has seen him have releases on virtually every major trance label and seen him in demand at clubs and festivals around the globe. His latest artist album ‘Everything Changes’ contained his collaboration with Christina Novelli called 'Love Of My Control' which gained the top spot on the Beatport Trance chart.
Rounding off the headliners in the Basement is Dubliner Paul Denton, who recently collaborated with Mark Sherry on their track Hostel, and has been tipped by Aly & Fila, John O’Callaghan and John Askew as a name to watch closely.
Terrace
Headlining in the Terrace will be Coldharbour's finest Fisherman & Hawkins, a Dutch duo whose signature dark chunky beats gained plaudits from veterans such as Markus Schulz. Their track ‘Apache’ shot them to worldwide fame in 2013 and since then they have had many hits on both Coldharbour and Blackhole recordings.
Alongside Fisherman & Hawkins will be Ali Wilson and Chris North who will be playing together for the first time at Trance Sanctuary following their recent spate of releases including Unification & Pluck You on Vandit Records.
Loft
After the success of last year, our 140+ room will be back in the Loft hosted by Elevation Audio, who will be celebrating their 3rd Birthday. We are pleased to welcome the well respected UK Hard Trance DJ Phil Reynolds to headline as well as Frantic resident Ashley Waters and Elevation's very own Lewis Duggleby.
Garden
Founded in 2005, Alter Ego Records will take over the Garden with Label Manager Duncan Newell & Owner Luigi Palagano topping the bill.
**After Party**
Trance Sanctuary 5th Birthday After Party
Apothecary, Egg London 23:30-06:00
Standerwick
Amir Hussain (Trance Sanctuary debut)
Trevor McLachlan
Ed Lynam
Yiota
R&D
Event Page - www.facebook.com/events/960605137339166/
Tickets - http://skdl.it/1mWOXrk
**Entry to Egg**
Egg have a club scan system operating at the club which means everyone must have a valid form of ID to be scanned on entry. Passport, driving license, provisional driving license, photo cards featuring the pass hologram, national ID card are all accepted.
Last entry is 22:00.
**Venue Address**
200 York Way, Kings Cross, London N7 9AX
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