Mark Sherry & Brieanna Grace: A Dreamstate Meeting, A Timeless Track

Mark Sherry’s journey in electronic music spans over 3 decades, with the Scottish DJ, producer, and label boss becoming one of the most influential names in the industry. As a tech-trance pioneer, his powerful sound and electrifying stage presence have made him a must-see act at festivals around the world. His energetic sets are more than just performances; they’re an experience, one fueled by his contagious positive energy, kindness, and playful spirit. For those lucky enough to witness his shows, it’s clear that Mark Sherry doesn’t just play music, he brings it to life.

Beyond his performances, Mark is deeply admired for his commitment to the music scene and his tireless support of fellow artists. Whether it’s collaborating with industry giants like Spinnin’, Armada, Black Hole Recordings, and Coldharbour, or delivering remixes for top-tier tracks and artists, Mark’s influence reaches far and wide. He’s also a true champion of new talent, running his own label, Outburst Records/Techburst Records, where he mentors up-and-coming artists, sharing the wisdom and experience he’s gathered over the years.

His early success with Public Domain and the iconic track “Operation Blade” set the stage for his rise, and his creativity continues to shape the trance genre today.

Mark’s unwavering support for fellow artists and his commitment to evolving the music scene ensure that his influence remains strong, making him a true trailblazer in the world of electronic music.

From a young age, Brieanna Grace was driven by the power of a well-crafted song and the emotional connection that music can create. Growing up with a natural gift for singing/songwriting, Brieanna’s voice soon became her most cherished tool for storytelling.

As she began to explore the vast landscape of electronic music, it quickly became clear that her soulful vocals were a perfect match for the genre. Whether in trance, progressive house, or any other electronic subgenre, Brieanna’s voice adds a unique layer that elevates the tracks she’s a part of, a quality recognized by major labels like Anjunabeats, Insomniac Records and Black Hole Recordings, to name a few.

Her collaborations with renowned producers and DJs have placed her at the heart of the electronic music scene. As her voice resonated across radio shows, festivals, and playlists, Brieanna began to build a loyal fan base who connected with not just her voice but the stories she told through each lyric. Her music became a reflection of her experiences, her emotions, and her journey through life.

Brieanna, you’re still a fresh voice on the electronic music scene. For those just discovering you, can you tell us a bit about who Brieanna Grace is?

Brieanna: I’m a singer, writer, and vocal producer who’s always been drawn to the emotional, cinematic side of music. I come from more of a ballad and storytelling background, but what draws me to electronic music is the way it gives emotion room to breathe and evolve. It allows both softness and strength to coexist, free from the constraints that often define other genres.

Your voice is truly something special - many would say angelic, a real gift. When did you first realize that music was your true calling?

Brieanna: Thank you! Honestly, it’s always just been there—I can’t remember a version of myself that didn’t sing or create in some way. It’s how I’ve made sense of the world for as long as I can remember. For me, the real calling is about discovering who I am, what truly moves me, and expressing that in a way that feels honest and in harmony with life. And getting to do that alongside great people makes it all the more meaningful.

Artists often explore different creative paths before finding their true direction. You’ve also shown talent in painting and writing but when it comes to music, was there a particular moment or a person that steered you toward the world of EDM?

Brieanna: It kind of happened naturally. My partner has been in the dance world for a while and kept telling me that my voice and writing style would really fit. I started playing around with some piano hooks and vocal melodies and sent them to a friend’s manager, Vee. She saw the potential, took me under her wing, and now manages me as well. She introduced me to this amazing world, and once I heard what producers could do with my voice, it just clicked—creative, expressive, and more open than I ever expected.

You’ve collaborated with a lot of different producers across styles. What do you think it is about your voice that blends so well with electronic music?

Brieanna: I think it’s the contrast. My voice naturally sits in a more emotional, floaty space, and electronic music gives it a whole other dimension to live in. Production can be big or minimal, but there’s always room for emotion, which is where I naturally gravitate. It creates a really nice balance.

Mark, 30 years in the music scene is an incredible milestone - DJing, producing, running labels, hosting a radio show... the list goes on! Releasing a 30-track album feels like the perfect way to celebrate. What was the idea behind the project when you started it 2.5 years ago, and how did it feel after finally handing over the masters to Black Hole Recordings?

Mark: I was really determined to do something special for my 30th anniversary as a DJ and producer. It felt like such a major milestone, so I wanted to challenge myself to a truly ambitious project. Writing 30 tracks was a massive undertaking, but at the same time, quite a few of them came together surprisingly easily. I had two major creative waves that each lasted a few months, and during that time, I ended up writing around 20 tracks in just eight months. Honestly, that’s never happened before in my career, so I just rolled with it, no complaints, haha.

Someone once told me there’s a saying in the UK: “The further north you go, the crazier the people get!” 😄 You’re known for your fast and high-energy productions, but this album takes a slightly different turn. What inspired you to experiment with new sounds and styles this time around?

Mark: That’s a very true statement. Scottish people are 100% nuts, haha! But honestly, I wasn’t really experimenting with this project. Throughout my career, I’ve written, produced, and played everything from trance, rave, and hardcore to techno, house, progressive, ambient/cinematic, and even drum and bass. So, for this, I simply tapped into the different skill sets I’ve developed over the years to create as many varying styles as possible, while still keeping things within the boundaries of what I actually play in clubs. My main focus was rave, trance, and techno/hard techno—these are the styles I truly love and play the most.

“Together”, a collab between you and Brieanna Grace, is such a beautiful moment on the album, and now there’s even an extended version. How did the two of you first connect?

Mark: It all started with a chance meeting at Dreamstate SoCal in 2023, where I bumped into Vee Boneva-Clayton, someone I’ve known for quite a while. Vee manages both Brieanna and Adara, and after a quick catch-up, we agreed to connect again after the event to explore the idea of working together—and that’s exactly what we did. I couldn’t be happier with the results. Brieanna and Adara are both incredibly talented singer-songwriters and a joy to work with; they truly brought a sense of depth and class to the album.

Brieanna: As Mark mentioned, my manager, Vee, had been in touch with him after Dreamstate and shared a few ideas. I actually wrote “Forever” before we ever met—it was just waiting for the right home. When Mark heard it and instantly connected to it, everything fell into place. The depth and movement he brought to the production felt exactly where the song was meant to land. (And shoutout to Adara—she’s incredible and also featured on the TH3RTY album!)

Our readers love getting a peek behind the scenes. Can you tell us a bit about how “Together” was created? What was the idea behind it, and how did the process unfold?

Mark: Brieanna had originally put together a kind of progressive sketch with her vocals for what became Forever. I took that and reimagined the entire production, adding more energy, power, and euphoria to match the style and tempo of the album, and to make it feel more like something I’d play in a club. She’s an incredible vocalist with a truly unique sound, which is exactly what I look for in a collaborator. I think she has a very bright future ahead of her.

Brieanna: When Vee sent my vocals to Mark, he immediately understood the emotion behind the song. He reworked the track in a way that gave it a fresh dynamic, while still preserving its heart. It really felt like the song had finally found its home.

Mark, Luminosity is getting closer - and we’re all wondering what kind of set you’ve got in store this time! You’ve set the bar high with your signature bangers, so the excitement is real.

Mark: I’ve got two sets again this year—one on Thursday and one on Saturday. On Thursday, I’ll be playing a banging tech-trance set, with a few uplifting, vocally ‘Lumi Beach'- style tracks, some cuts from my TH3RTY album, and six brand-new productions I’m working on right now. Then on Saturday, I’m going full throttle with a hard techno set under my Dark Sherry alias—pulling out all the hammers and wild energy. I can’t wait for this year’s event; it’s going to be absolutely insane, as always!

These days, genres are blending together more than ever - techno sounds like trance, trance leans into techno - and you’ve always been right in that sweet spot, effortlessly moving between them. What keeps you inspired to keep pushing those boundaries after all these years?

Mark: I’d say that right now, things are more exciting than they’ve been in a long time! I’m really loving how DJs and producers have been ripping up the rulebooks over the last couple of years. A lot of them are pushing the boundaries of trance and techno in their sets, and it's amazing to see. These days, a lot of ‘techno’ sounds like ‘tech-trance’ from 20 years ago, which is fantastic for me since I’ve been pushing tech-trance for over 25 years now! When I started clubbing back in 1992, you'd hear rave, piano, house, Italo Euro, breakbeat, hardcore, techno, and early trance all in the same night, under the same roof—and everyone went wild for it. So, I’m all for things becoming less pigeonholed. The more open-minded you are as a DJ, producer, or clubber, the better it will be for everyone!