Daniel graced the sounds of Trance at the very early age of 10 years old, listening to compilations and artist albums from Trancemaster, World of Trance to DJ Tiesto’s Majik series. Growing up with his older siblings enjoying the 98-00 era of Progressive trance and Techno, Daniel learnt to appreciate a variety of styles in the dance music scene. Captain Tinrib, Will E Tell and Tenaglia were but some of those artists. Trance kept a sound presence in those transient times, with the sounds of Paul van Dyk, Marc van Linden, Vadim Zhukov, Ferry Corsten and Riva channeling the walls of his Gippsland home.

At 15, Daniel purchased two Technics turntables, a mixer, and began his predilection for mixing Trance music. Taking a DJ class appointed with Ivan Gough, a well respected and successful Progressive music artist and Phil K, Daniel quickly adapted to the touch of vinyl. With strong key knowledge of the do’s and don’t on mixers and turntables, he rapidly began mixing effectively and in synch with different styles and tempos. Recording mixes onto Tape followed.

After two years, he sold the turntables due to choice and focused on his academic career. At 18, Daniel still kept a close eye with the changes in Trance music; the progressive growth into differing styles infused with Techno and Electro for instance. With this knowledge, he built up playlists of artists and listened intently to their styles and unique replenishes. At 20, he once again brought a setup consisting of CD players. Wanting to step up and begin mixing in clubs, he wasn’t sure what to do and found it difficult to establish contacts and promoters.

In May that year, Infinity, a new weekly Trance night organized by Future Entertainment was running; this was Dan’s chance to get involved. As a promoter, he began making new scene acquaintances and making sure Future got his recording demos, which in 2008 were gladly on CD! Daniel received his first gig three weeks in with Infinity, on a night where Inthemix.com was running an ITM Top 50 DJ Party competition. However, as dire circumstances erupted the Saturday before, Infinity closed indefinitely. As one door closes, another one opens.

Keenly asking promoters for a chance to play at a club, Dan caught the eye of Viper room on a Friday, where a weekly Trance night named Stargarden was running and was named for the week after as a warm up act. Unfortunately enough, the Trance night closed due to violence and brawls. Not taking any of life’s dark routes, he kept at it, concentrating on the intricacies of mixing and the different ways of leading and transitioning tracks throughout a set.

In the following months, promoting his mixes on Australian forums abroad, his keen selection and ear for mixing became quickly noticed. Interested in his capabilities, Undertone took Daniel on for a few shows, which saw the young DJ support Paul Trainer at Alluva late 2008. At this, attention at Dan Essential grew exponentially. Booked to play at Sunset Promotion’s Mark Norman gig, he thought this was his most rewarding achievement! At this, White Sands, organized by Onside Entertainment caught his keen eye for Trance and now plays regularly at their events, playing alongside Steve Strangis and Ahmet Atasever. Taking this titanical opportunity, Dan has become more involved with the Trance scene, mixing demos and improving his liking for performing; which doesn’t seem to be waning

The following 6 months, Daniel had the great pleasure of performing at the Official Trance Energy After Party @ Queensbridge nightclub in April 2009, which saw the likes of Judge Jules, Richard Durand, Simon Patterson and Sean Tyas spin their respective sets. And if that is not enough for your plate, Dan also had the wonderful pleasure of playing at the Last Pharmacy, supporting DJ’s such as Mr. Sam, DERB, ASYS and Kutski.

As his name grew apidly, along with an alias Daniel Velerium, Dan Essential, was granted a DJ spot at the Winter Sounds System After Party @ Roxanne’s, with a line up that included Jason Midro, Pee Wee Ferris, Ben Evans and Steve Strangis. Now booked to perform at Defqon.1 in Sydney, a major all day Dance Music festival, get ready to be enthralled and inspired!