Stuart Langelaan, aka Lange, is one of the most recognised figures in the global trance scene and rightly so. His endless list of productions and remixes definitely contain quite a few all-time trance classics, and his hectic schedule of studio work mixed with constant worldwide tours has made him a very sought after name. Lange, who regularly frequents the big name clubs and events in the UK, playing at the likes of Godskitchen, Gatecrasher, Ministry of Sound, Slinky and Passion, also somehow finds the time in the studio during the week to produce under his Lange name and also other aliases such as Sureal, Firewall, LNG, Vercetti and the Bass Tarts (with Andy Perring).

With Lange only actually taking on the decks about 5-6 years ago, he has been best known for his uplifting trance monsters. Since 1997 he has produced classics such as “I Believe”, “Follow Me”, “Drifting Away” and “Don’t Think It [Feel It]”. His remix list is also even more amazing with massive reworks for the likes of DJ Sakin & Friends, Lost Witness, Agnelli & Nelson, Faithless, Pet Shop Boys, Dumonde and Ian Van Dahl. With the trance sound now headed in various directions, Lange has always stood true alongside the movement, and he is now pushing his new electro and percussive sound to the trance world. And it’s a sound which is already being purveyed by legend Ferry Corsten.

My first interview with Lange about 5 years ago here on ITM propelled Lange to stardom down under with instant enquiries from local promoters for gigs, and it wasn’t too long before he did indeed play to Australia’s trance loving crowd. With his name regularly popping up in global dance music circles I thought it was time to check out what’s been happening with one of the UK’s favourite trancers.

It’s been quite a while since I spoke to you last, nearly 5 years actually! Obviously massive things have happened to you since then, but what have been the major highlights in your life over the last few years?

Has it been that long..? Well, a lot has happened in the past 5 years! Major highlights career-wise have been the chart successes with ‘Drifting Away’ going in the Top 10 in the UK, going on Top Of the Pops and being introduced by Britney Spears! Touring the world DJing has been amazing too – I was just starting to DJ 5 years ago when we last spoke!

You have been one of the biggest names in uplifting trance for many years now, do you still believe the style you play and produce is considered uplifting or like many have you gone to a deeper, darker or progressive sound?

I still make what I’d call uplifting trance, but it’s definitely more percussive and driving these days. I’m also being influenced by a lot of the current electro and tech music around. In fact I recently finished a 100% electro track called ‘Dial Me Up’ which is to be released in October. I guess it’s ‘hi-energy electro’ – if you’re intrigued you can check at clips at my website (www.djlange.com) or my myspace page (www.myspace.com/djlange).

Your good friend and production buddy Gareth Emery (GTR) was quoted saying that 95% of trance is crap. Where do you stand on that opinion? Is there not enough variety out there in trance?

Well I do get sent a lot of mediocre, generic trance, so I’m sure that was his complaint. With the digital age upon us I get sent an amazing amount of demos/promos – unfortunately most don’t get me excited! The ‘trance scene’ has definitely changed for the better of late though… a lot of producers have opened up their sound to include elements from other genres. The basslines have got fatter, the rhythms groovier – that’s what it’s all about… can you really dance to generic vocal trance? I can’t!

When it comes to the balance of producing and DJing, do you plan out your year and give certain allocated time to yourself just to lock in the studio? Could you ever possibly love one more than the other?

You do have to plan your time carefully, although it’s hard to stick to a strict regime! Obviously weekends are largely taken up by gigs, so Monday through Thursday are production and ‘business’ days. Quite often I will try and juggle working in the studio whilst doing emails, but it just interrupts the flow. It’s always best to shut the world out all day when producing! Writing music was my first and biggest love. But the DJing is great fun and obviously I get to see some great places and meet people. I’d hate to give either up, but producing music has a deeper, more satisfying reward.

Being in the UK, you would have a good grasp on how things are panning out over there, what’s the current ‘buzz’ in the dance music world according to you Poms? Will trance ever peak to the amazing high it once did in the UK, even on a commercial basis?

The buzz word is very much electro at the moment. House is very dominant, but there’s still a large demand for trance. I’m working hard in the studio trying to fill the gap, making electro-edged trance! I don’t think we’re going to see a big trance comeback in the near future – but that’s good. It’s all going back underground again for a new generation to discover!

You have toured down under before and you seem to have a fond love for it down here, any chance of seeing you sometime again soon?

Yes, I’ve had some great visits to Australia, all of them in fact! I hope to be back early next year.