Orion
Biography
Orion is the stage name of Darren Isaac Tate, a house, dance and trance producer and DJ born in London, England, on 22 October 1972.
Classically trained, Darren Tate has collaborated with a wide range of artists and composers. He is best known as one of the world’s most famous trance producers, achieving success under various aliases such as Jurgen Vries, Angelic, Orion, Citizen Caned and, more recently, DT8 Project.
His media career began very early, with appearances in numerous TV commercials. He studied music at the University of Leeds and later composed very successfully for television, film and musicals.
Among his major influences he cites Stevie Wonder, John Williams and Brian Eno, and his favourite song is Unfinished Sympathy.
A defining feature of his musical career is his use of many pseudonyms. His first notable project was a 2000 collaboration with Judge Jules, forming the group Angelic with Amanda O’Riordan. That same year, he also created tracks under the name Orion.
In September 2002, he returned under the name Jurgen Vries. He also works under his own name, as well as DT8 and DT8 Project. His biggest chart success is The Opera Song, on which singer Charlotte Church is credited under the pseudonym CMC.
Several compilations of his trance tracks, mixed by himself, were released on major labels and charted. In 2007, the DT8 Project released a double album titled *Perfect World*, with the second CD featuring remixes by well-known DJs.