Armada artist and Alter Ego Records label boss, Rory Gallagher is a hands on, forward thinking, 25 year old Producer/DJ hailing from the bright lights of London - now based in Surat Thani.
With a weekly residency at the new Ku Club on party island Koh Phangan, the East’s answer to Ibiza, Rory has proved to be not only a powerhouse in the studio but from behind the decks too! He has played at some of Koh Phangan’s finest parties including the Full Moon Party at Tommy’s on NYE to a 40K+ crowd, Jungle Experience, Loi Lay and Electronic Lounge to name a few!
Rory also runs his own successful monthly club night Culture Shock in Surat Thani. He juggles most of his time now between rocking dance floors on the weekend, teaching in the classroom during the week, making music in the studio and running international trance label Alter Ego Records.
Mr.Gallagher is a man with a plan!
My Koh Phangan story started In 2006 when I came over as a teenager keen to enlighten myself on the wonders of Asia! I then found myself coming back to Phangan every other year until I finally had the means to move myself over and continue my music and teaching here. I enjoy the best of both worlds really, teaching in a high school in Surat during the week and playing in Phangan every weekend.
I’ve met some fantastic people who have made me feel right at home and that coupled with a weekly residency at the brand new Ku Club, my monthly night Culture Shock and playing at the Islands best parties makes living in this part of the world one hell of a ride!
I have been in the Trance game for about seven or so years now, producing, DJ’ing and also as director and label manager of Alter Ego Music which is currently getting a lot of attention! The music I’m making currently is miles away from what I have been releasing in the past on my own label and on Armada. I’m trying to fuse the melodic elements of writing trance with Balearic atmospherics and insatiable Tech House grooves! If I had to pigeonhole it I’d probably call it Balearic Tech House and I’m looking forward to unleashing this new sound very soon!
I’m also currently working with the talented Rob Gritton on some exciting projects both DJ and production wise that should see the light of day shortly! One of the main projects is a new Koh Phangan record label called Moon Island Records which we are launching in the very near future!
What is the best thing you ever been involved with or done?
There are a number of achievements over the past few years that I am pleased with, although I have always got my sights on the next! A few notable ones recently are, the growth of my international record label Alter Ego Records, releasing my first CD album Tranquillity State last year, teaching on two continents and DJing at the Full Moon Party on NYE!
What are your next projects?
I have lots of exciting things in the pipe fortunately! I will be launching a House sublabel on my record label Alter Ego Music, which will feature some of Phangans best DJs and artists like; Rob Gritton, Pablo Escobud, Darragh Casey, Graham Gold, Joe Kaonashi, David Chong, Jourdan Bordes and many more! There should be some exciting parties on the back of that also!
Keep an ear out for Moon Island Records!
My monthly night Culture Shock at GM Club in Surat Thani is growing nicely and I intend on building that up over the remainder of the year and taking it to other parts of Thailand! Also, I will be heading the new night ‘Bass Fridays’ at the spanking new Ku Club so keep your eyes peeled for more info on that! I also have some exciting gigs coming up In the next month in KL, Koh Phayam, Bangkok, Koh Kut, London, Cardiff and of course Koh Phangan!
My main goal for the year though is working on completely live DJ sets with my own productions and incorporating musicians and singers to hopefully bring something diverse to the Phangan table.
Where and who do you get your inspiration from?
I find musical inspiration always varies from day to day as I get to hear a vast amount of different music but I’d have to say Above & Beyond have been my biggest inspiration over the last ten years. Also the friends I work with in the studio always inspire me, you know who you are! Mike Vale, Hoxton Whores and Hot Since 82 are also currently doing the damage for me!
Do you see yourself on Phangan in the future?
Without a doubt, growing up and living in major cities makes you appreciate the beauty of Koh Phangan even more. I love that time rarely exists on the lsland and there are an abundance of quirky, like-minded people about the place!
One of my fav places to party and play would have to be Loi Lay, fantastic atmosphere and people! The Beach Village, The GG villa and Haad Son Resort are also some of my fav spots to put my feet up!
Ten years from now I hope to have spread my sound around the globe and hopefully have Koh Phangan as my base. After moving out here and getting a taste for the Asian way of life I can honestly say I wont be going back in a hurry! However, who knows what the future holds!
If you were a Magician what wishes would you fulfill?
For people to start buying music again and stop illegal downloading. Also the obvious, world peace and I wouldn’t mind a big yacht too!
If you were your own mother what would you tell yourself?
Pretty much exactly what my own mother told me, you can achieve whatever you want to in this world son just believe in yourself, work hard and keep it legal!
What is your life philosophy?
Respect Is As Respect Does!
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