Simon Lee and Alvin

Think Jon O’Bir and the first words that come to your mind are Ways and Means. That’s hardly a surprise, considering Jon’s radio show and podcast of the same name is broadcasted globally each week. Ways and Means is also the title of his release that was one of 2008’s biggest selling tunes on Beatport.

The 26 year old Brit began his journey in trance music in 2002 upon winning a DJ competition organised by M8 Magazine. This gave him a headstart as resident at Godskitchen where he perfected his craft while sharing the stage with A-listers who graced the historical venue. As he developed his radio ventures and his first album, he collaborated with Airwave and Gareth Emery to compliment his own list of original releases, as he also performing remixing duties for Paul van Dyk, Mr.Sam, Giuseppe Ottaviani, and Aly and Fila, among many others. In 2008, his artist album From Within saw a release on Vandit and was promoted by a heavy album tour. And in between all this, he jets around the world to appear at the biggest dance festivals you can imagine. Screaming fans, lifted hands, and entertaining partygoers have quickly become second nature for the young star that Armin van Buuren and Paul van Dyk have “warned” to be a force to reckon with.

More recently, his remix of Jordan Suckley’s “From Paradise” has received noteworthy support from tyDi, Markus Schulz, Above and Beyond, and is featured on many radio shows.

O’Bir is also the owner of Conspiracy Recordings together with Rob Stevenson aka Activa. This formidable synergy continues to produce some of the world’s biggest trance releases through Tom Colontonio, Maor Levi, Captured Sun, Sean Tyas and many more.

Thankfully, freezing temperatures in the UK are currently the least of O’Bir’s worries as he ventures into warm Malaysia for the very first time this weekend to play a show that’s destined to set our dancefloor on fire. “(It) will be my first time playing for a Malaysian crowd, I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve been in touch with many DJs who have played Malaysia and they have all told me it’s one place I will enjoy!” says O’Bir in a recent interview. Malaysia will be one of many stops of the Introsection Album Tour, the much anticipated compilation from Conspiracy that features some of the label’s most prolific releases.

Understanding the need to adapt and evolve his records as new influences seep into the trance sound, O’Bir tries to stay ahead of times. “I have noticed changes to the trance sounds over the years. Things have seemed to slow down (with) a lot of progressive influenced merged in. I still love the full on banging trance sound, but also have a lot of time for the new style that is emerging.”

Finally. here’s O’Bir’s musical strategy for getting the opposite sex onto the dance floor. “The slower, more groovier tempo tracks are always a hit, especially if there are vocals included.”

We wait eagerly for Jon O’Bir’s appearance this weekend. It’s an event not to be missed for any fan of quality floor filling dance music.

Volume Presents Jon O’Bir Introspection Album Tour on Saturday 30th January 2010 at MIST Club, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Click here for more info.

From Within is out now on Vandit. Jordan Suckley “From Paradise” is out now on Goodgreef Digital, release includes Jon O’Bir’s remix.

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