DEREK RYAN
California-born, Tokyo-based Derek Ryan is a Trance and Progressive artist known for blissfully heartbreaking music, emotionally charged productions, and high-energy performances on stages around the world.
Derek Ryan has carved out a powerful identity within the Trance and Progressive scenes through a sound built on one defining mantra: blissfully heartbreaking music.
Known for productions that balance emotional depth with driving dancefloor energy, Derek has released music on respected labels including Pure Trance, Future Sound of Egypt, Monster Tunes, Outburst, AVA Recordings, Regenerate, and his own imprint, Ascent Recordings.
His music has earned support from some of the most influential names in the scene, including Armin van Buuren, Paul Oakenfold, Aly & Fila, Markus Schulz, and Andrew Rayel.
As a DJ, his high-energy performances have taken him from his California roots, where he held a residency at the legendary Ruby Skye, to iconic stages and venues including Burning Man, Ultra Music Festival Miami, ZEROTOKYO, and Amsterdam Dance Event, along with standout appearances across Japan at clubs such as ageHa, WOMB, and WARP.
In 2026, Derek Ryan enters a bold new chapter, pushing his sound into a more powerful and evolved direction. Building on the emotional foundation that has always defined his music, Derek is expanding his identity by fusing the uplifting, melodic power of Trance with the darker, driving energy of Techno. The result is a sound that feels deeper, heavier, and more cinematic, while still carrying the heartfelt melodies and emotional atmosphere that have become central to his productions.
With over 20 years of performance experience and more than 15 years of music production behind him, Derek brings a rare level of depth to both the studio and the stage. His years behind the decks have shaped his ability to read crowds, build energy, and create powerful emotional moments, while his production experience continues to refine his sound with greater detail, maturity, and impact.
A major part of this next phase will be incorporating his ability to play electric guitar into more of his tracks. By blending live guitar elements with electronic production, Derek adds a raw, human, and cinematic edge to his already melodic style. This gives his music a stronger personal signature, bridging the emotion of live instrumentation with the energy of modern Trance and Techno.
With new music, a more evolved live identity, and bigger stages around the world on the horizon, 2026 is set to be a defining year for Derek Ryan, taking his artistry, sound, and performance presence to another level.
