FIRST STATE

Probably one of the most exciting and talented producers in Electronic Dance Music at the moment, Sander van Dien has cemented his place in the record boxes and sets of the biggest and most influential Progressive and Trance acts across the globe.

Under the FIRST STATE guise, he has been able to produce some of the biggest and most noticeable tracks over the passed 3 years. Until recently, “FALLING” (featuring Anita Kelsey) was somewhat of an anthem, and gained monumental support, especially from Tiesto, who requested that FIRST STATEperform alongside him on the famous “In Search Of Sunrise” tour across Europe.

From the very beginning, FIRST STATE’s releases have been nothing less then extraordinary, especially the more renown tracks, such as “Evergreen”, “Your Own Way” (feat Elliot Johns), “Off the Radar” and remixes of Vimana’s “We Came” , Dash Berlin’s “Waiting” and Filo & Peri’s “Ashely”.

The current hit single doing the rounds all over the world is FIRST STATE featuring Sarah Howells “BRAVE”, and boasted 5 weeks in the Beatport Trance top 5, iTunes Best Sellers top 8 and was a frequent in the shopping carts of consumers across many other download portals. “BRAVE” was also featured as fan’s favourite in Armin van Buuren’s A STATE OF TRANCE radio show.

ACTIVA

In a relatively short time since his first release on Somatic Sense, Rob Stevenson, better known as Activa, has been one of the most hard working producers in the Trance genre. He has created many new alias? such as Solar Movement, Mekk, Substate, Force One, Aira Force, CMR and Eluna to showcase the range of his production skills, while continuously developing the sound of his main Activa alias.

Rob has appeared on the likes of Spinnin (Liquid), Discover, High Contrast, Black Hole, Enhanced, Somatic Sense and finally Paul van Dyk?s mighty Vandit Records which has enabled him to push his way into the record boxes of the biggest names in the industry and receive their continuous support.

As an engineer Rob has worked closely with Jon O?Bir to create Jon?s first artist album, From Within and has engineered and produced, singles and remixes for Jon, Aled Mann (Discover), Owen Clark (Club Elite), Freesoup (Five AM), Chris & Matt Kidd (Joyride) and David Newsum (Discover), clearly showing the range and diversity of Rob?s production skills.

Although he is primarily known as a producer, Rob has been DJing since his first experience with a pair of turntables while at school. He has gone on to play at the biggest nights in the UK including Gatecrasher and Passion and regularly travels the UK and often abroad to perform. He is a bi-monthly resident at easily the best and fastest growing night in the UK, Digital Society, where his late sets have become a popular part of the night showcasing the harder side of his style.

If that wasn?t enough, Rob also owns and runs Conspiracy Recordings along with Jon O?Bir and Kev Ribbens. The label, which has grown rapidly in the first few years, has had massive support from the biggest names in the industry including regular appearances on Armin?s ASOT, Above & Beyond?sTATW, VONYC Sessions, Sound garden as well as Radio 1 and various other FM radio support. The label has developed a reputation of showcasing brand new music from new artists, has helped kick start the careers of Tom Colontonio, Anguilla Project and Peter Martijn Wijnea, as well as releasing tracks from more well known artists like Ian Betts, Dan Stone and Peter Dafnous.

“Rob’s productions as Activa and Mekk are just incredible. Certainly in a league of their own, they stand out a mile from a sea of tunes that all sound the same. Is it a surprise labels like Discover, Spinnin and Vandit are gagging to sign as much of his stuff as possible? No, it?s no surprise at all.? ? John Askew