Markus Schulz: “For someone out there, this might be their very first ‘In Search of Sunrise’, the one that becomes part of their story"

For many, ‘In Search of Sunrise’ is more than a compilation — it’s a ritual, a soundtrack to both night’s end and day’s beginning. After the Tiësto and Richard Durand eras, Markus Schulz took the reins in 2018 with ISOS 14 and, across seven acclaimed editions, reimagined the series for a new generation. His signature is unmistakable: sweeping arcs, emotional depth, and a sound that bridges nostalgia with the future.

Now, Markus unveils the next chapter of his legendary journey. In a historic first, ‘In Search of Sunrise’ unfolds as a trilogy of mixes, each reflecting a different state of mind. Two have already been revealed this summer: The Awakening, drifting through organic textures, deep progressive rhythms, and ambient tones — the soundtrack to late-night reflections and early morning revelations — and The Nirvana, lifting the spirits into emotional euphoria with soaring melodies. The trilogy concludes with The Nocturnal Voyage, a shadowy, techno-leaned exploration of cosmic depths.

The story comes full circle on September 17 with limited-edition vinyl and CD releases — a sunrise reimagined for tomorrow.

Q: For the first time, ‘In Search of Sunrise’ is dropping in three parts - The Awakening, The Nirvana, and The Nocturnal Voyage. It feels like a three-act story told by you. What inspired this change, and what does each mix represent to you?

A: As a DJ, my sets have always been about wide horizons, taking people on open-to-close journeys that evolve from the subtle to the euphoric, and into the hypnotic late hours. To tell that kind of story properly, I needed more than a single 78-minute disc. Dividing ISOS into three chapters gave me the space to create a true narrative arc.

'The Awakening' is like the first breath of something new, the soft glow before the world fully wakes, deep and reflective. 'The Nirvana' is the emotional core: the melodies you lose yourself in when night blurs into sunrise, dedicated to those who still believe. And 'The Nocturnal Voyage' is about the shadows, the darker, linear side of the story, where rhythm becomes ritual and only the dark knows.

Q: Take us inside the process behind selecting and preparing tracks for ISOS 21.

A: For me, curating ISOS is less about compiling tracks and more about crafting cinema for the mind. Every piece had to feel timeless—not just relevant for today, but resonant years from now.

I started with anchor points, songs that I knew would define the mood of each disc. London Grammar’s “Into Gold (Kitty Amor Remix)”, for example, carried a depth and emotional weight that felt destined to live under the ISOS umbrella. From there, it was about weaving classics, exclusives, and new voices into one continuous thread.

The hardest part isn’t finding tracks, it’s shaping them into a story. That’s where interludes, textures, and unexpected transitions become crucial. They're the brushstrokes that turn a playlist into a living journey.

Q: This edition is stacked with exclusives. Do you have personal favorites from each mix, and what makes them shine?

A: Each chapter has its defining moments. In 'The Awakening', London Grammar anchors the disc, but the Korolova remix of Woo York’s “Feeling” and Deep Dish’s “Midnight” bring legitimacy and history in surprising ways. That Deep Dish track arriving in my inbox was a shock, in the best way.

In 'The Nirvana', Robert Nickson’s revisiting of “Heliopause” stands out. It’s one of those tracks that shaped a generation but skipped its place in ISOS history at the time. Including it now felt like correcting the record while introducing it to new ears.

For 'The Nocturnal Voyage', “What the Night Gave Me” is the one I hold closest. It was inspired by my marathon open-to-close sessions at Stereo in Montreal. After hours there, the music felt different—raw, unfiltered, almost spiritual. That track was born the morning after one of those nights.

Q: One track that jumps out is your rework of Ten Seconds Before Sunrise. Why was now the right moment to revisit this classic?

A: That track has always felt like a missing piece in ISOS' history. Despite being one of Tiësto’s defining moments, it never actually appeared in the compilation series. To me, that gap needed closing.

Reimagining it with Leon Bolier (BLR) was about honoring its legacy while reframing it for today’s dancefloors. It’s not about nostalgia, it’s about carrying that spark forward and giving it new life for a new generation.

Q: Looking back on your first ISOS curation compared to this year’s journey, how has your style evolved?

A: At first, my focus was on preserving the essence of ISOS, making sure it still felt like home for those who loved it. Over time, I found the confidence to let my own vision shine through. Earlier editions leaned heavier into trance, but ISOS 21 reflects the broader spectrum I play live: progressive, melodic techno, organic textures, and trance all woven together. It’s more cinematic, more fluid, and feels less like a snapshot—more like an epic story unfolding in three acts.

Q: ISOS is about atmosphere and storytelling. How do you blend your own sound into such a big narrative?

A: For me, ISOS is like directing a film. You have multiple voices, different artists, different moods, but the transitions, interludes, and emotional pacing are where my fingerprint shows up. My sound has always revolved around tension and release, around creating landscapes people can lose themselves in. That becomes the spine of the mix. It’s not about inserting Markus Schulz tracks everywhere, it’s about guiding the listener into my world, where every moment feels intentional.

Q: You’ve carried on the ISOS legacy more than anyone else. What does that mean to you, and how have you shaped its modern sound?

A: It’s humbling because ISOS is bigger than any single person. It's a cultural landmark in electronic music. To be entrusted with it so often is both an honor and a responsibility.

What I’ve tried to bring is continuity with evolution. The heart, the emotional core, stays intact, but the palette keeps expanding: progressive, techno, cinematic touches. I want fans to feel the magic they discovered years ago, while also realizing the story has grown to speak to today and tomorrow.

And yes, there’s a responsibility to preserve the art of the mix compilation itself. In a streaming world of playlists and speed mixes, ISOS shows why the long-form journey still matters.

Q: On a personal note, what does ISOS mean to you, as both a fan and a curator?

A: As a fan, the early editions were almost spiritual. They were my soundtrack for long flights, late-night drives, and introspective moments.

When I was first asked to take charge in 2018, it felt overwhelming but also like destiny. I still carry that responsibility every time I sit down to work on a mix. For someone out there, this might be their very first ‘In Search of Sunrise’, the one that becomes part of their story. That’s what drives me.

Q: You’ve said ISOS sets are among your favorites to play. What makes them so special compared to other shows?

A: They’re the most emotionally driven sets I play. At events like Luminosity, you feel a global community coming together, fans from different countries, meeting, forming friendships, even falling in love. That’s the ISOS spirit.

When I build those sets, I’m not thinking about drops or trends. I’m thinking about connection, surrender, and trust. The audience lets you guide them into a space where music becomes memory, and that’s what makes those sets unique.

Q: The first official ‘In Search of Sunrise’ event is about to land in London. What can fans expect from such a legendary venue and night?

A: London has shaped my career in so many ways. I lived there, played at the Ministry of Sound, and built lifelong connections. To bring the first official ISOS event there feels like a full-circle moment.

Fans can expect full immersion: a night that mirrors the three-act story of ISOS 21, wrapped up in the atmosphere of a venue with its own legendary aura. My goal is for people to leave feeling like they didn’t just attend a show but lived inside In ‘Search of Sunrise’.