Interview: Tiesto protégé Richard Durand

Interview: Tiesto protégé Richard Durand

30 May, 2011 | 2.04AM

• Written by: Ellie
• Filed under: Music News: in search of sunrise, richard durand, tiesto

In 2007, Tiesto tipped him as an artist to watch. Four years on and Richard Durand is doing his mentor proud – he’s released two artist albums, had his records played out by the likes of Paul van Dyk, Ferry Corsten, Judge Jules, and Eddie Halliwell and has remixed for the likes of The Prodigy, Armin Van Buuren and Tiesto himself.

In fact, he impressed Tiesto so much that last year the superstar DJ handed the mixing duties over to him for the legendary In Search of Sunrise compilation series.

Ahead of the release of ISOS9: India in June, we caught up with the Dutch DJ and producer to find out how he feels about what he’s achieved so far…

Last year Tiesto handed you the baton for mixing his In Search of Sunrise albums – did you feel a lot of pressure to follow in the footsteps of such a huge DJ?

Of course there is always a certain pressure, especially since the ISOS brand is already so huge. I’ve tried to keep the feeling of the series as much as possible, but I also made sure I put my own feeling into the CD. And I am truly content with the result, even though it might be harder to match the success of last year. I hope I’ve reached that goal; personally, I have a very good feeling about it.

With trance music having its roots in Goa, India is a great choice for ISOS9 – how does the sound differ from last year’s South Africa edition?

I think that the overall atmosphere has remained the same, as I paid a lot of attention to that, but I think that the quality of some of the tracks on the CD is even better than last year. A few producers on the new album featured on ISOS8; Craving, for example. They have a superb sound, and to be honest, they sound even better than last year.

You’ve remixed for some massive trance names like Tiesto ("Lethal Industry” and “Break My Fall") and Armin van Buuren ("In and Out of Love” and “This Light Between Us") – do you ever worry that they won’t like your version or that you’ll spoil a classic?

Yes, and of course I hope that never happens! I always try to stay true to the original chemistry of the record and make it stronger.

Would you ever refuse to remix a record because it’s perfect the way it is?

I can’t give you names, but there are plenty of records that I don’t want to remix. I mean, there’s so much talent out there!

How did it feel when Tiesto recommended you as DJ Magazine’s Tip for the Top back in 2007?

It was absolutely fabulous. It’s always great when someone of his stature puts you in the spotlight.

Who would you tip as the next big thing?

It’s hard to say. Alex O’Rion is doing very well at the moment – he just released his new album and I’m really impressed by some of his tracks. And I’m not saying that just because he’s family!

Which artist do you most admire?

Michael Jackson. It’s sad that he is no longer with us.

What was the last record you listened to?

Alex O’Rion ”Dragons for Breakfast.”

What record are you really hammering right now?

Vinson’s ”Circular Progression.”

Aside from releasing ISOS9, what else have you got coming up in the next couple of months?

More than enough! The main difference with last year is that I am going to do a lot of festivals this coming season. I mean, there’s no better place for a DJ to spin!

Following on from your debut album, Always the Sun, released in 2009, you released your second artist album, Wide Awake, in February this year – please don’t say we’ll have to wait two more years for your third album?

All right, I hear you, thanks for the compliment! I will do my best to release a follow up as soon as possible, but to be honest I don’t think there’s going to be a third album before 2012.

And finally, where do you see yourself in two years’ time?

That’s hard to say. Let’s not set the stakes too high, otherwise it will only be a disappointment. Maybe a six-hour live set for the Queen of England?

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