David Rust Talks Life in Scotland and Drops Off a Mix

Get to know all about David Rust’s hometown scene and press play on his exclusive guest mix as he prepares to make his way to the US!

David Rust has been crafting beats for over a decade and has earned his spot as a highly respected member of the trance music family. He lives on the dark side of the trance token, creating shockwaves on the dancefloor with massive tunes like “The Beat,” “All You Give” alongside Renegade System, and “303” with Olly James. With a knack for shooting energy through the roof, fans are always left vibrating for his next release. His most recent offering, “Stay,” was introduced to the world in 2022, and while we beg for the wait to come to an end, David has been quenching the thirst with epic performances all over the planet.

Indeed, he’s been on the move, touching down in places like Spain, Malaysia, what seems like the entirety of the UK, and of course, ASOT and Luminosity in The Netherlands. Over here in The States, we’ve been dying for another appearance, and come November, the wait is finally over as David Rust takes the stage at Dreamstate SoCal! In honor of the impending visit, we caught up with the Glasgow native for some much-needed music therapy. Furthermore, because David Rust has been such a busy jet setter, we thought he might enjoy a moment to focus on a place near and dear to his heart – his lovely home of Glasgow, Scotland.

I love Scotland and the City I’m from (which is Glasgow). We’re known to be one of the best crowds in the world according to the international artists who play here often. When I was growing up, all my friends were listening to eurodance and hardcore. It was actually members of my family who got me into trance, so yeah, it’s such a big part of Scottish culture and it’s sort of like a right of passage to listen to EDM for most Scottish youths growing up.
David Rust

To this day, David Rust is still paying homage to his home, keeping the nightlife jumping as he spins his tunes at venues and major events like SWG3 and Coloursfest. But these are just two examples of the bustling music scene that rivals the expanse of the UK. When asked about the current state of affairs in Scotland, he stated, “I feel like right now it’s pretty strong. At the minute, hard techno seems to be the most popular genre, but there’s also a multi-genre movement sort of going on which I feel like I fit into.” He went on to note, “There are more and more talented young producers coming out of the country than ever, too, so I would say the scene is healthy for us at the moment.”

That being said, we just had to learn more about specific places we should visit if we hop on a plane and cross the pond. From choosing the best spot for dinner and drinks to selecting the best club for all our dancing desires, what better person to get the scoop from than a man deeply embedded in the culture? David Rust has got it covered. “I would really need to make this an authentic Scottish experience, so it would have to be a Haggis supper from the Chip Shop washed down with a bottle of Buckfast, then off to SWG3 for a rave in the best venue in our country.” It sounds like our bellies would be full and our dancing feet happy!

But, with so many incredible clubbing options worldwide, there has to be a little extra something that makes his local scene stand out from the rest. He doesn’t want to give all the secrets away, so he states, “You would really need to visit a show here to understand. It’s the atmosphere here that makes it so special. I’m yet to find a crowd as loud, or that goes as crazy when it’s at its best. I get a crazy reception too, as I’m a local, and we really stick behind our own here.”

The mix is a selection of some of my new tracks and edits, basically a full producer set, thrown in one older track for good measure, but I have some harder stuff. I want to showcase myself as a producer first instead of a DJ as it normally goes.
David Rust

Well, there you have it. The flourishing and passionate Scottish scene is waiting for you! While you book your vacation, press play on David Rust’s exclusive guest mix and catch him when he comes to Dreamstate SoCal on November 17-18. Tickets are on sale now!