In honor of #TranceGiving, aka Dreamstate SoCal 2016, we want attendees to have the opportunity to get to know the talent who will be our “Trancegiving Tour Guides”. Each week, we will feature bio’s of four Dreamstate DJ’s as well as a set from one of their latest events or some recent releases so you can get to know them better. Next in our series is… Gouryella!
Gouryella:
Gouryella or “heaven” as it is known in the Australian aboriginal language is the game changing brand that began way back in 1999 when Trance legend Tiesto partnered up with our beloved Ferry Corsten with the hopes of delivering fresh new uplifting trance tracks unlike anything that had come before. Their first single “Gouryella” hit the airwaves in May of 1999 and in no time was climbing its way up the UK charts, ultimately hitting the #15 spot. Their next single “Walhalla” had just as much success and both tracks made dance music history being certified Gold when it came to record sales. The world was their oyster and their future seemed very bright. But come late 2000 and Tiësto decided he needed to concentrate on his solo work. Ferry Corsten was left to take on the project solely as his own.
Watch the official music video for Gouryella – “Gouryella” on YouTube:
Shaking off the sudden change in plans Ferry took to the studio to deliver a few more tracks under the project name but as of 2003 the project fell dormant. Fans had a very interesting reaction to the sudden disappearance and decided to take matters into their own hands. In 2013 the Facebook page and YouTube channel called “Trance Classics” started a campaign in order to get the first Gouryella single to the #1 position on the Beatport Trance Chart. In just a few days time, the track climbed to the #7 position. The people had spoken! With the support of Ferry Corsten and Tiesto they ultimately gave all the royalties of “Gouryella” to the Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Watch the official music video for Gouryella – “Anahera” on YouTube:
Fast forward to 2015, after 13 grueling years patiently waiting for the return of Gouryella, it was finally time. There was a sudden resurgence of trance in the states and a high demand for the return of classic aliases, “Anahera” emerged and ferry announced to the world that Gouryella was back! The single was chosen as “Tune of the Year” on Armin van Buuren’s show A State of Trance and was named the biggest selling trance track of 2015. In fact, it earned the title of the longest track at the #1 position on the Beatport Trance Chart in history and got to the #10 position on the Beatport Main Chart! Next on the agenda was to take the Gouryella project on the road for some very special sets at the biggest festivals in the country including Beyond Wonderland, Electric Daisy Carnival, Tomorrowland, and Ultra Europe, just to name a few. In June of 2016, Flashover Recordings released the sixth Gouryella single titled “Neba” seeing its live debut at EDC Las Vegas on the Dreamstate stage. “Neba” reached #1 on the Beatport Trance Chart and #24 on the Beatport Main Chart proving to be a brilliant follow-up for “Anahera”.
Watch the official music video for Gouryella-“Neba” on YouTube:
Just this past year we fell upon an opportunity to catch up with Ferry Corsten and pick his brain abut everything Gouryella. Check out our featured interview with him right here!
For those who haven’t had the opportunity to see Gouryella live I would highly suggest that you make room in your schedule. Ferry’s project tells a story through his music. His melodies are best described as gorgeously uplifting and powerful from start to finish. With video projections in conjunction with original track selections he asks us to open up our minds and consider where we come from. The Gouryella experience highlights the exploration of our life’s purpose and reminds us that electronic dance music can contain true substance. These sets are truly a spiritual experience and the emotions that are felt when you are front and center for the journey simply can’t be explained in words. I hope you come join me as we take this heavenly ride together in just a couple short weeks!
A friendly reminder for all the Gouryella fans out there! If you follow Ferry Corsten on social media then you have heard about the limited Gouryella album box sets available for pre-order. But, there are less than 100 ‘From The Heavens’ box sets left! Ferry Corsten will be signing each one so you are going to want to get in on the action! Check out all the details and pre-order your copy today by clicking here!
