Ciaran McAuley & Brittany Egbert: From Dreamstate to the Studio

Whether it’s Luminosity, Creamfields, A State of Trance, Tomorrowland, Dreamstate, Mysteryland, Ministry of Sound, or a euphoric night in Ibiza, if you’ve ever witnessed Ciaran McAuley behind the decks, chances are you walked away feeling transformed. The Irish DJ and producer has a rare gift: the ability to take his audience on a deeply emotional, unforgettable journey through sound.

It’s a talent that hasn’t gone unnoticed. Industry legends like Ferry Corsten, Aly & Fila, and Paul van Dyk have all recognized Ciaran’s magic, both onstage and in the studio. With over a dozen #1 trance singles, multiple "Tune of the Week" honors, and releases on powerhouse labels including Armada Music, Black Hole Recordings, Future Sound of Egypt, and Nocturnal Knights, Ciaran continues to solidify his place among trance’s most respected names.

But it’s not just about accolades—it’s about connection. Ciaran’s sets are a masterclass in energy and emotion, resonating long after the final drop fades. In the studio, his collaborations are rich, melodic, and deeply human—evidence of an artist in high demand and at the top of his game.

On the other side of the ocean, there is Brittany Egbert, who, before most people are awake, is already writing—often at sunrise, often by the ocean. That calm, intentional rhythm runs through everything she creates, especially her music. After stepping away to build a successful fitness studio in North Hollywood, this singer-songwriter and top-line vocalist returned to the electronic scene in 2024 with a clear voice and emotional depth that quickly caught attention.

Her solo releases like Desert Sky, Cloud Nine, and Hand Up To The Lights introduced a sound that blends vulnerability with uplift. But it’s her collaborations with artists like Mearzie, Ashley Wallbridge, and Harshil Kamdar that have cemented her as a rising vocal force in the dance music world. Her lyrics, often rooted in resilience and light, resonate with listeners far beyond the club. She’s not just lending her voice—she’s shaping a sound that connects.

Ciaran, you’ve had more than a dozen #1 singles and plenty of “Tune of the Week” nods. When you’re in the studio, how do you tap into the emotion that’s become such a signature part of your sound?

CIARAN:
Funny, many times I try new things but keep getting pulled back to the emotional sounds I’m known best for. I had this conversation with Ruben on ASOT and we called it the goosebumps test. When they hit I know I’m onto something beautiful.

You’ve played on some of the most iconic stages in the world — Luminosity, Creamfields, ASOT, Tomorrowland, Dreamstate, and beyond. Is there a particular moment from one of those sets that still gives you goosebumps?

CIARAN:
There have been many unforgettable moments in my career but one that always comes to mind is my debut at Dreamstate So Cal in 2018. It was so special. I was opening the main stage and they called and asked me to open earlier due to the crowd building outside for my set!

From Armada to Black Hole, FSOE to Nocturnal Knights — your music has reached so many corners of the trance scene. When working with different labels, do you tailor your approach to fit their vibe, or do you just follow your creative instincts each time?

CIARAN:
To be honest, I always go where my emotions take me in the studio and then think of the label after. I guess that's the beauty of having such a great relationship with them all.

A global fan base was built through your music and energy, but also through a sense of real emotional honesty. How important is it for you to connect with your audience on that deeper level — beyond just the drops and melodies?

CIARAN:
I am a people person. I love to help and lift others and as you mentioned, people can hear it in my music. It's a blessing and a curse at the same time, for it takes up so much time and energy to reply to everyone and can leave me vulnerable to some on social media, but I love what I do and I am truly grateful for all the love and support in return.

Brittany, you’ve worked with artists like Mearzie, Ashley Wallbridge, and Harshil Kamdar, and I’ve noticed your lyrics often touch on resilience and finding light in tough times. Do those themes come from your own personal experiences?

BRITTANY:
I love that you picked up on those themes. Something incredibly important to me when I’m writing for my own vocals is staying true to my personal values. Faith, and especially a concentration on spiritual health, is always the centerpiece of what I want to convey through my lyrics. This is what ultimately led me to Trance music. My favorite songs within the genre all have similar uplifting, hopeful themes, and my own personal relationship with music has gotten me through the hardest heartaches and darkest times of my life. So, yes, everything that I write will always include a touch (or more) of my personal experiences. This song in particular was inspired by my grandfather, who had passed away several months before I received the demo instrumental.

What’s really impressive is that you manage to run a successful fitness studio while also making music, and your daily rhythm — waking up at 4:30 a.m., hitting the sauna, writing, walking on the beach — sounds both intense and inspiring. How do your lifestyle and creative routines feed into each other and are there any special places where you like to write — spots where you feel most connected to that feeling?

BRITTANY:
Thank you – it has definitely been a grind to get my business to the point where I have the support and freedom to simultaneously work in music, and I feel very fortunate to be in the position I am in at this point after 10 years with my fitness business. To me, fitness and music go hand in hand. Both are great conduits for health (whether that be physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual), and my lifestyle would not be complete without the two of them being intertwined. Music was what first got me INTO fitness, and without knowing it, my fitness business is what got me interested in Trance music.

I have written the majority of my catalogue in two places: on the treadmill / outdoors on a walk, or at lifeguard tower 28 / the rock jetty in my hometown of Huntington Beach. I would like to think that the imagery of these places and/or the levels of activity while writing are catalysts for my lyrics and melodies.

In a world full of incredible vocalists - including those Ciaran has already worked with - how did the connection between you two come about? It feels like your energies truly clicked on this release.

CIARAN:
I was introduced to Britney’s work by my good friend Nicholas Gunn. Nick has been in the scene for many years. I really value his input. Nick knew Brittany and said we would get along well together. I was working on my latest artist album ‘Finding Me’ and while working on the instrumental for this track, Nick and I both thought this was perfect for Brittany! The results were fantastic.

BRITTANY:
This introduction was completely driven by my wonderful publisher and friend, Nicholas Gunn (who is a dear friend of Ciaran's as well). Nick has been an early advocate of my voice and has propelled me forward with collaborations and introductions that would likely take me years to garner on my own. We had talked about working towards a collaboration with Ciaran for a while, and after I met Ciaran in person and got to see his set at Dreamstate SoCal in November 2024, I went back to Nick to reinforce my interest in working with Ciaran when the timing was right.

Nick sent me the acoustic instrumental of what would become "I'll Be Waiting For You" in February, and as he is based in the UK, I always get his messages first thing when I wake up and turn on my phone. I heard the opening 4 bars, immediately grabbed my laptop, and did not leave my bed until I finished writing the demo because I wanted to make sure I turned the project around as quickly as possible. Funny enough, for the first time in my career, I actually set up my phone to video myself to see how long it would take me to write the topline. The uncut video is 15:19 long. That's how seamlessly the song came together.

Brittany, the lyrics touch on themes of patience, loyalty, and love that endures across distance or time. What was going through your mind when you were writing and recording the top-line?
Ciaran, how did you go about crafting the sound around Brittany's vocals? Was there a particular story or emotion you both wanted to bring to life?

BRITTANY:
I alluded to this earlier, but the song was inspired by thoughts of my grandpa. When I hear any instrumental for the first time, I wait to see if any particular person in my life comes to mind. For whatever reason, my grandpa Bill came into my mind instantly. He passed away in November of 2024 after a beautiful 98 years of life (serendipitously 3 days after my performance at Dreamstate SoCal, where I met Ciaran).

My grandpa believed deeply in God and heaven, and the idea of someone waiting on the other side to reunite gives me hope in the midst of grief after death. I shared the writing with my mom (his daughter) before recording the finals, without telling her what / who I wrote it about. She said it made her think instantly of her granddaughter. To me, this is the beauty of songwriting (and the power of this particular vocal). For it to mean something individual to two separate people about lineage, hope, faith in the future, etc. (and even more specifically, a gap in generations) is stunning to me. I look forward to hearing the interpretations of other listeners and how it impacts them uniquely.

CIARAN:
I let my emotions take control in the studio. That track needed something different, I felt. After working on the project for weeks, I tried using a break beat groove with the drums, which blew this out of the water for me. I also wanted to capture the raw energy of Britney’s vocals and the dark electronic lead melody.

What made this collaboration stand out from others you've done? Did it spark something new creatively for either of you, whether in terms of sound, feelings, or artistic direction?

CIARAN:
Yes, absolutely. I always wanted something different on this album and when Brittany sent her vocals back to me, I knew this was the one. It made me try new things, it opened my mind to future projects for sure :)

BRITTANY:
To me, this already was a standout because it sounds so different from what Ciaran's usual catalogue has historically been. The breakbeat style he uses is a fresh sound for him, and I think it takes a lot of courage to deviate from the norm of what your audience expects, especially for an artist with such a dedicated fan base like Ciaran McAuley. I'm honored to be a part of that departure from the norm. To feel like someone trusts you enough to take a risk with you, that's deeply special. I have admired his music for such a long time, so to have my name next to his with people appreciating my lyrics and melody along with his instrumentation and overall vision is absolutely a highlight of my career so far.

Looking ahead to 2025, what can we expect - new music, exciting gigs?

BRITTANY:
Personally, I feel like I am just getting started. I have been holding onto a lot of material for the past few years, waiting till the time is right to release things. I am pleased to have more records with both Ashley Wallbridge and Harshil Kamdar on the horizon, more releases on Black Hole, some club appearances in Las Vegas, and hopefully some cameos at ADE and Dreamstate. I know it is only the beginning, so I'm encouraged to think that we will ALL be along for the ride of finding out what is next for me in real time :)

CIARAN:
2025 is already shaping up to be a massive year for me and will be my biggest touring schedule to date. Also, with a release averaging every 4 weeks and the album coming out late summer, not to mention a string of non-album singles waiting to go out after! You can catch me at Timescape Festival, Colours Fest or in Australia, Asia, New Zealand, and of course, Creamfields this summer.