Dan Stone: “I Was a Huge Fan of the Original Back in 2003”
From Norfolk rave tapes to releases on labels like Anjunabeats and Future Sound of Egypt, Dan Stone has built his career around the emotional power of melody. Decades later, the producer still chases the same uplifting feeling that first pulled him into electronic music.
Before uplifting Trance became his trademark sound, Dan Stone was just a teenage rave fan in Norfolk, spending hours listening to cassette packs from legendary UK events like Dreamscape and Dance Paradise. Inspired by artists such as Carl Cox and The Prodigy, he quickly fell in love with the uplifting energy of the early ’90s rave scene — a feeling that still runs through his music today.
His big break came with “Made in Bahrain” on Anjunabeats, which kickstarted his journey as a producer. Since then, Stone has become known for his powerful melodies and emotional Trance releases, appearing on labels like Future Sound of Egypt and playing at major Trance events around the world.
Now, with a fresh take on the classic “Purple Haze” landing on In Trance We Trust and his debut artist album on the way, we caught up with Dan Stone to talk about his early rave influences, the evolution of Trance, and the unbeatable feeling of testing a brand-new track on the dancefloor.
Q: Dan, could you please take us back to your early days in Norfolk, discovering electronic music? What were those first moments that made you think, “This is what I want to do with my life”?
A: In the early 90s, I was a huge fan of the hardcore rave scene. Artists like Carl Cox, The Prodigy, The Ratpack, Slipmatt, DJ SY, and Seduction were all the names that inspired me. I would listen to cassette packs from events like Dreamscape & Dance Paradise for hours with the dream of wanting to DJ like them. While it wasn’t Trance at that time, it was the uplifting/emotive side of the rave scene that I really fell in love with. Then, at the age of 17, I got my first set of decks, and it all began from there.
Q: Your breakthrough came with “Made in Bahrain” on Ajunabeats. What do you remember most about that time, and how did that release change things for you as an artist?
A: It was early days in my production career and I had the engineering help of my still very good friend Mark (Marcos) to get my first tracks over the line. It was a privilege to learn so much from such a talented producer. When we fired ‘Made In Bahrain’ over to Paavo, we surprisingly had a response from him straight away, wanting to sign it. I then got invited down to London and spent the day with Paavo in the Above & Beyond studios, whilst he mastered it. What an incredibletime. For a moment, I realised that my journey as an artist had well and truly begun.
Q: Trance has changed quite a lot since the mid 2000s. From your perspective, what are some of the biggest shifts you’ve witnessed in the scene — both musically and culturally?
A: Yes, there have definitely been some shifts over the last 20 years. Whether it be from the 140 scene, the uplifting 138 or EDM progressive Trance and now the more bouncy and nostalgic vibe. All of these scenes shift and evolve, which is why it’s important as a producer to make music that you truly love and stand by, regardless of trends. Whatever the style, Trance has always had an amazing following and that’s what makes our scene so special.
Q: Your music is known for its strong melodies and emotional atmosphere. Do you find inspiration outside of dance music — maybe film scores, classical music, or other genres?
A: Yes, I take inspiration from everything to be honest. I sometimes hear a pop tune on the radio that sparks an emotion in the chords, melody or vocal, and that inspires me to write something new.
Q: You’ve worked with many respected names and released music on labels such as Future Sound of Egypt, Armada and Anjunabeats. How have those collaborations and label communities influenced the direction of your sound over the years?
A: Every label or artist I’ve worked with has played a huge part in my musical journey. I’ve had so many tracks that have been declined by labels over the years or have not quite cut it, but I feel that’s where you really learn. It gives you thedetermination to get it right. I’ve also learnt that even though working with artists & labels can inspire you style-wise & direction-wise, it’s so important to just be yourself and not to copy others.
Q: When you launched the Fables label with Ferry Tayle, it quickly became a home for emotional and upliftingTrance. What was the original vision behind it, and how has that vision evolved since then? And how does that compare to launching your Argento label?
A: It was actually Fadi's (from Aly & Fila) idea to be honest. Both Ferry & I had very similar tastes in the uplifting Trance style, so it was a partnership that just worked. Since moving onto Argento, one area I have learnt is to be 100% honest when hearing demos. It’s so easy to do certain favours for certain artists when signing tracks, but I’ve always been of the mindset, ‘Would I play this in my sets?’ If there’s a slight doubt, it has to be a ‘no’, regardless of the profile. I have to be completely buzzin' about a track when signing it.
Q: Your upcoming track “Purple Haze” on In Trance We Trust gives a true Trance classic a fresh, modern twist. What was it like stepping into such an iconic track and putting your own spin on it?
A: It was an absolute privilege to be honest. I was a huge fan of the original back in 2003. As the melody is a classic, I tried to stay as true to the original as I could, giving it a refreshed sound.
Q: When reworking something so well-loved, what was the trickiest part of the process for you?
A: When it comes to reworks, it’s usually from an original I absolutely love. So I don’t really find it tricky as such, it’s more a creative determination on how I’m going to be able to make it my own. I love that part of the process.
Q: As someone who spends time both in the studio and behind the decks, how different is the feeling between finishing a track in the studio and hearing it explode on a dancefloor for the first time?
A: To me, they go hand in hand. I’ve come from DJing, then moved into production, so it’s always been about crowd interaction. There’s nothingquite like seeing a response when dropping a new track for the very first time. That's why I do it!
Q: You’ve played at festivals and clubs all over the world. Is there a particular moment with a crowd that has stayed with you over the years?
A: I've had the great fortune to play some of the biggest Trance festivals, and that still blows my mind today. But one of the biggest memories has to be my first time playing for the FSOE world tour back in 2015 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in front of 10,000 ravers, a peak time set. I remember being so nervous as it was being streamed live and my headphones had issues, so I had to use the sound engineer's ones, so not too much pressure! Luckily, it all went well and it was a huge bucket list moment!
Q: After so many years in the scene, what still excites you the most about making Trance music today?
A: Testing out your new production at a gig for the first time. You’ve spent so many hours in the studio working on it, to finally see the crowd reaction, whether it be a combo of nerves and excitement, there’s still no better feeling.
Q: What else is happening in the world of Dan Stone this year? Any exciting plans or releases fans should keep an eye on?
A: I’ve got a handful of gigs lined up in the UK, Prague, Euphoria in Malta and the Luminosity Beach Festival, which I’m excited about. I’m also working on my first album, which will be released later in the year. It won’t just be uplifting & progressive Trance, there will be some surprises too. So excited to be able to fully express myself, which is what an album is truly all about.
