Solarstone

Infobox musical artist
Name = Solarstone

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Img_capt =
Background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
Birth_name = Rich Mowatt
Alias = Liquid State, Sebatu, Skyscraper, Space Kittens, Young Parisians, Z2
Associated_acts = Emission
Years_active = 1997–
Origin = UK
Genre = Electronic music,Trance music
Label = [http://www.solaris-recordings.com Solaris Recordings]
URL = [http://www.solarstone.co.uk Official website]

Solarstone (also Solar Stone) is British keyboardist, trance music artist and producer, Rich Mowatt.

Originally a 3 piece (with former members Sam Tierney & Andy Bury), Solarstone beat a path through the emergent days of the trance phenomenon, founding their name with the club hits like ‘Green Light’ (1995), ‘The Calling’ (1997) and ‘The Impressions EP’ (1998). As the first trance boom peaked in 1999 Solarstone left an major mark on the scene with the Top 40 hit ‘Seven Cities’. The track - one of the very first real Balearic Trance anthems - has been re-released 3 times and has sold in excess of 500,000 copies. Remixed in 2002 by Armin van Buuren, its instantly-recognizable sunset legacy sound can still be heard in tracks being released today.

Over the next 6 years Solarstone continued to feed dance-floors with tracks like ‘Solarcoaster’ (2003), ‘Speak in Sympathy’ (2004), ‘Eastern Sea’ (2005), ‘Like A Waterfall’ (2006) & ‘The Calling’ (2007). In 2006 he released his first long-player, the compendium/greatest hits album, ‘AnthologyOne’ . That was followed up in May 2008 by ‘RainStarsEternal’. ‘RainStarsEternal’ has so far spawned four singles, the title track itself, ‘Spectrum’, ‘4ever’ & ‘Late Summer Fields’, the latter of which Rich produced, sung and wrote the lyrics for. The next track 'Lunar Rings' is due to be released in November 2008.

Since learning to spin in the late Nineties, Solarstone has played for the majority of the super-clubs (inc. Cream, Ministry of Sound, Gatecrasher, Slinky & Euphoria) and spun alongside the worlds best-known DJs. He also maintains a huge home-country following, playing almost as much to UK audiences as to ones abroad. Solarstone's worldwide travels have also taken him to some of the biggest events and festivals across the globe, and also some of the most remote. Over the years these have included islands in the Philippines, bush parties in Australia and massive festivals in the heart of Brazil.

Richard has also recorded under a number of pseudonyms. In 2002 he initiated the 80’s-referencing Young Parisians outfit, scoring a big debut with lamenting ‘U Write the Rules’. The act then skyrocketed with one of the 2004’s defining trance/prog tracks ‘Jump the Next Train’. In 1999 he released the underground anthem ‘The Hymn’ by Skyscraper on 4D Recordings, latterly re-releasing it on his own Deepblue label. He also has recorded alongside Andy Bury as Liquid State for Perfecto & Space Kittens for Hooj Choons.

The Remixes: Over the years Solarstone has appeared to maintain a rigid balance between original production tracks and remix works. He has remixed for names like Paul Oakenfold (‘Bullet in The Gun’), Ferry Corsten (on Moonman’s ‘Galaxia’) & BT’s ‘Calling Your Name’, while also refashioning tracks by legendary acts like The Human League & Sarah McLachlan.

Solaris International is Rich’s long-running and widely-syndicated radio show. Working on a fleshed-out 2 hour format of features, interviews, guest mixes and regular spots, it has developed over two years from a cult following into a weekly essential for large sections of the electronic dance community. Presented on alternate weeks with Robbie Nelson, Solaris International (pka Deepblue Radio) broadcasts across some 34 FM & Internet stations, including Ministry of Sound.com & the south coast’s Passion FM network to a listenership of over 8 million.

The Solarstone’s Labels: Opening for business in August 1999, Richard Mowatt co-owned, a&r’d and ran the Deepblue imprint and its 5 sub-labels. The launch-pad for a multitude of club hits (including ‘Like a Waterfall’, ‘Jump the Next Train’ & FKN feat Jahala’s ‘Why’), he eventually parted company with the label in July 2008. Alongside his insatiable Records label, he now owns and manages the Solaris Recordings label; the current label home of Solarstone’s recordings.

Solarstone in Quotes:
Armin: 'Solarstone sets the standard for the best in Balearic dance music'.
Paul van Dyk: 'I've been playing his music for more then 10 years now. Really looking forward to the new album!
Tiësto: 'Solarstone never disappoints… warm, beautiful and just amazing music'.
Ferry Corsten: 'Always been a fan of Solarstone. The new single Rain stars Eternal is an amazing track'.
Above & Beyond: 'Solarstone is the REAL DEAL!'
Mixmag: 'Top dog when it comes to melodic monsters'.
DJ Mag: A consummate all-rounder from the UK’s original trance master'.

Trivia

* "Seven Cities" is widely credited with popularising the Ibiza trance genre.
* "Jump the Next Train", released under the Young Parisians alias, is featured on Paul Oakenfold's "Creamfields".
* A handful of songs have been recorded alongside Scott Bond, including "Naked Angel" and "3rd Earth".
* Rich Mowatt as a Teen went to the same school as Jamelia the Kingshurst CTC

Discography

Albums

* 2006–"AnthologyOne" (greatest hits)
* 2008–Rain Stars Eternal

ingles

* 1997–"The Calling"
* 1998–"The Impressions" (EP)
* 1999–"Seven Cities" (UK Singles Chart #39)cite web|url=http://everyhit.com/|title=Everyhit.com chart information]
* 2001–"Speak in Sympathy" (featuring Elizabeth Fields)
* 2002–"Release" / "Destination" (Solarstone vs. Sirocco)
* 2002–"Solarcoaster"
* 2003–"3rd Earth" (Scott Bond vs. Solarstone)
* 2003–"Naked Angel" (Scott Bond vs. Solarstone)
* 2004–"Red Line Highway" (Scott Bond vs. Solarstone)
* 2005–"Eastern Sea"
* 2006–"Like a Waterfall" (featuring Jes Brieden)
* 2007–"The Calling 2007"
* 2007 - "Late Summer Fields" (with Alucard)
* 2008 - "Rain Stars Eternal"
* 2008 - "4Ever" (Vinyl Only)
* 2008 - "Spectrum"
* 2008 - "Lunar Rinds" (Unreleased)

DJ mixes

* 2001–"Chilled Out Euphoria"
* 2003–"Lost Language Exhibition" (record label compilation; mixed with Ben Lost)
* 2006–"Destinations, Volume 1"

elected remixes

* 1997–Energy 52 – "Café Del Mar" (Solarstone Remix)
* 1999–DSP – "From Russia With Love" (Solarstone's Red City Mix, Solarstone's Deep Blue Mix)
* 1999–Space Manoeuvres – "Stage One" (Solarstone Remix)
* 2000 – Ferry Corsten (also known as Moonman) – "Galaxia" (Solarstone Remix)
* 2000 – Planet Perfecto – "Bullet in the Gun 2000" (Solarstone Remix)
* 2002–Paul Oakenfold – "Southern Sun" (Solarstone's Afterhours Remix)
* 2002–Conjure One – "Sleep" (Solarstone's Afterhours Remix)
* 2003–Conjure One – "Center of the Sun" (Solarstone's Chilled Out Remix)
* 2004–Filo and Peri pres. Whirlpool – "Under the Sun" (Solarstone Remix)
* 2004–Sarah McLachlan – "World on Fire" (Solarstone's Afterhours Remix)
* 2007 - Radiohead - "House of Cards" (Solarstone Subterranean Remix)

References

External links

* [http://www.solarstone.org.uk/ Official Website]
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