Solarstone. – Official Biography

From scene founding father to ringleader and flag-bearer of the Pure Trance movement, Solarstone (producer, composer and DJ Richard Mowatt) is one of the most enduring and influential figures in the history of trance music. His impact reaches back almost as far as the genre itself, with a career that has continuously shaped, refined and protected the emotional core of trance.

Solarstone first made his mark during the pre-millennial era of trance with releases that have since become timeless classics. Tracks such as Solarcoaster, The Calling and Seven Cities helped define the sound of the genre’s formative years. Seven Cities, regarded as one of the earliest Balearic trance anthems, has been re-released three times and has sold in excess of half a million copies. Remixed by artists including Armin van Buuren, its instantly recognisable sunset and sunrise sound has left a lasting legacy that can still be heard in modern trance productions today.

Alongside his influential singles, Solarstone has built an exceptional album catalogue. Releases such as RainStarsEternal, Touchstone, Pure, One, island and innermost stand as critically acclaimed long-form works that balance club energy with deep emotional and musical storytelling. Each album reflects a distinct chapter in his artistic evolution, while maintaining a consistent commitment to melody, atmosphere and authenticity.

As a DJ, Solarstone has brought his sound to some of the most iconic clubs, arenas and festivals in the world. His European appearances include Tomorrowland, Luminosity Beach Festival, Cream Ibiza, Creamfields, A State Of Trance and Global Gathering. Internationally, he has performed at TomorrowWorld, EDC Las Vegas, Dreamstate, Ultra Music Festival and countless other major events, captivating audiences across North America, Asia and Australia.

Having championed trance’s true nature since his earliest releases, the past decade has seen Solarstone almost single-handedly return the genre’s original sound to the forefront through his Pure Trance philosophy. By modernising the heart of trance while safeguarding its soul, he captured the scene’s zeitgeist at exactly the right moment. What began as an artistic stance quickly evolved into a global movement encompassing a major mix-compilation series, worldwide club and festival shows, multiple record labels and a weekly radio show.

Now spanning ten volumes, the Solarstone Presents Pure Trance compilation series has featured collaborations with like-minded artists such as Orkidea, Giuseppe Ottaviani, Bryan Kearney, Gai Barone, Sneijder, Forerunners, Robert Nickson, Factor B, Kristina Sky, Lostly and Stoneface & Terminal. The Pure Trance tour has sold out shows in electronic music capitals including Miami, Ibiza, Amsterdam, New York, Los Angeles and Sydney, firmly establishing itself as one of the genre’s most important contemporary platforms.

Pure Trance Radio represents the latest evolution of Richard Mowatt’s long-running and widely syndicated radio work. Broadcast weekly in a 90-minute format, the show features carefully curated segments including progressive selections, deeper explorations and chilled moments, and is now aired across more than thirty FM and internet stations worldwide. With a global listenership exceeding eight million, the show reached its landmark 400th episode in 2024.

The Pure Trance label group, including Pure Trance Recordings and its sub-labels Pure Progressive, Pure Trance NEON and Pure Breaks, has grown into one of the strongest-selling trance platforms worldwide. In partnership with Black Hole Recordings, it has provided a home for some of the scene’s most respected producers, reinforcing Solarstone’s role as both curator and tastemaker.

Musically, the album Pure marked a pivotal turning point in 2012, clearly defining Solarstone’s artistic stance in response to the increasing homogenisation of trance. It became the foundation of the Pure Trance movement and produced a string of acclaimed singles and collaborations. Between 2014 and 2016, a series of high-profile releases further elevated his international standing, followed by the conceptual Morse-code album trilogy later unified as One, a 27-track project realised over four years with a wide range of collaborators and vocalists.

In 2020, island was released as a deeply personal lockdown-era album and a love letter to Ibiza. In 2025, Solarstone unveiled innermost, his most personal album to date, exploring broader sonic textures beyond the club environment while retaining the emotional depth and musical integrity that define his work.

Beyond Pure Trance, Solarstone is also the creative force behind the acclaimed Electronic Architecture mix-compilation series, celebrated for its fusion of progressive trance, visual art and conceptual design. Widely praised by critics, the series has become a cornerstone of modern progressive-trance culture.

Behind the decks, Solarstone is recognised as a master storyteller whose DJ sets have captivated audiences across the globe, from the world’s biggest festivals to remote and intimate locations. Throughout his career, he has also founded, co-owned and curated numerous influential record labels, explored alternative musical identities through aliases such as Young Parisians and Federation, and delivered remixes for a wide range of respected electronic and crossover artists.

Solarstone remains a rare constant in electronic music: an artist who has evolved with the times while staying true to the emotional, melodic and spiritual essence of trance.