Digital Culture: “Tougher, Faster, More High-Energy”
After years of crossing paths and building momentum on stages around the world, their connection slowly took shape into something fans could truly feel on the dancefloor. This synergy is now finding its way into their newtrack ‘Waiting For You’.
When RAM and Richard Durand come together, it feels less like a collaboration and more like a natural extension of the Trance scene itself. Both artists have spent decades shaping their sound from different angles — building a shared language that translates effortlessly both in the studio and behind the decks.
RAM has long been synonymous with the emotional core of uplifting Trance. From timeless anthems to the global rise of his Grotesque brand, his work is rooted in melody, storytelling, and a deep connection with the crowd. On the other hand, Richard Durand built his name on high-energy productions and precision-driven DJ sets, gaining early support from Tiësto and becoming a staple on major trance stages — recently highlighted by ‘Always You’ with Armin van Buuren and Dicosis, selected as the A State of Trance 2026 Elevation Anthem.
Having crossed paths countless times on global platforms like A State of Trance, their connection has grown organically over the years. With Richard frequently appearing at RAM’s Grotesque events, their synergy consistently creates standout moments — balancing emotions and power in a way that continues to resonate deeply with trance fans worldwide.
Q: You’ve both been part of the Trance scene for many years. How did the idea to join forces in 2023 and create the Digital Culture project come to life?
A:Trance has been part of both of our lives for many years. Richard had already been a frequent booking at Ram’s own events, consistently contributing to a great atmosphere. We also share a similar fan base, so it just clicked naturally. Whenever we played at those events, especially around each other’s sets, it always went off. At some point, we thought, why not give this a name and make it official? And that’s how Digital Culture was born.
Q: When you first started making music as Digital Culture, did the sound click right away, or did it take a few tracks to really find the identity the project has today?
A: From the start, we knew we wanted to go a bit harder, faster, and more energetic — with slightly less focus on emotion, vocals, and long breakdowns. We wanted to create a clear difference between what we do together and what we do individually, so it wouldn’t feel like the same thing. We’re also aiming more towards big events, and that kind of sound naturally fits those environments.
Q: Digital Culture mixes uplifting Trance melodies with tougher, techno-inspired grooves. What do you enjoy most about exploring this sound together?
A: We both genuinely love this sound. It’s fun and refreshing to have a different creative outlet where we can push things a bit further. It also gives us the freedom to explore a harder edge, while still keeping that trance foundation. With Digital Culture, it’s very clear what you’re going to get — something tougher, faster, and more high-energy.
Q: How usually do things work in the studio? Does one of you lean more toward melody and the other toward groove and energy, or does it depend on the situation?
A: We both have our own way of working. Sometimes one of us will be in the studio creating ideas independently, and the same goes for the other. Then we bring those ideas together and build from there. It’s a very natural workflow where we both contribute equally, depending on the track.
Q: Many of your tracks feel made for big festival moments. When producing, do you already picture how the crowd might react on the dancefloor?
A: Yes, definitely. We always keep the dancefloor — especially the big festival crowds — in mind while producing. That often means slightly shorter breakdowns, harder kicks, and more direct energy. We know certain tracks work better in those environments, so we consciously produce with that in mind.
Q: After so many years in the scene, what still gives you the biggest buzz — finishing a track in the studio or seeing the crowd react when you drop it in a set?
A: It’s really a combination of both. You can get inspired anywhere — whether in the studio or outside of it — and then turn that idea into something tangible. What makes it even more exciting is knowing how it might work in a set: as an opener, a peak-time moment, or a closer. Being able to share that process and exchange ideas is a big part of the excitement.
Q: Your new Digital Culture release, 'Waiting For You,' kicks off 2026 on Black Hole Recordings. Do you remember the moment or idea that first sparked the track?
A: The track started with vocals from Sharon Valerona, who had written and recorded some ideas. We immediately felt it could fit perfectly into our sound — something slightly techy and more on the techno-influenced side of trance. From there, the track naturally evolved into what became Waiting For You.
Q: ‘Waiting For You’ mixes emotion with serious dancefloor power. What kind of feeling did you want people to experience when they hear it? And have you already tested it in your DJ sets?
A: We actually tested this track about a year and a half ago at Beyond Wonderland, and we even have footage from that moment. Since then, it’s consistently been a highlight in our sets. We took a bit more time before releasing it, but we’re really happy it’s finally coming out in 2026.
Q: Over the years, the scene has gone through many changes. How has your production style evolved along the way?
A: It’s always a balance between staying true to what we love and evolving with the scene. Some elements remain timeless for us, while others naturally change over time. We’re always open to new influences and styles. Especially with techno making a strong comeback and blending more with trance, we’ve definitely incorporated that into our sound.
Q: Looking ahead, what’s next for Digital Culture in 2026? More releases, big festival shows, or maybe somethingeven bigger?
A: There’s a lot coming up for Digital Culture in 2026. We have several strong releases lined up, including some big remixes. Alongside our individual projects, we’re putting a lot of focus on Digital Culture as well. It’s shaping up to be a very productive and musically exciting year.
