Reuben Halsey

An established music producer and remixer from Northern Ireland, Reuben has produced and remixed for some of the UK's leading and most established dance music artists. Learning piano at a young age led him on a journey of musical discovery and into the realm of electronic music.  Taking influence from acts like Jean Michele Jarre, The Cocteau Twins, Robert Miles, Chicane and even Scooter, Reuben became obsessed with making music and shaping his own sounds.  Tracks like 'Children' by Robert Miles and 'Offshore' by Chicane were monumentally influential in his direction in life and eagerness to write music.
 
Back then computers were not what they are today, and making music meant stringing a whole collection of synths, samplers, sound modules, effects units and mixing desks together.  And this equipment was very expensive.  With each piece of equipment costing thousands of pounds it was going to take time to build the setup he needed in order to create his sound.
 
After spending almost 2 years on a Computer & Electronics college diploma, finding it to be mostly a waste of time and dropping out just before the end, he stumbled into the field of Architecture where he worked for many years drawing building plans and 3D images in order fund the assembly of his first music studio and to pay for his secret life as a music producer. With his quiet, reserved persona working in the office by day, then switching to music producer mode to work in the studio until 2, 3, sometimes 5am almost every night, as well as working part time for a record label to gain experience in the industry, it was easy to understand why Reuben earned a reputation for falling asleep at his desk or in the print room or on the toilet.  Much to his colleagues' amusement.  Music was his passion, his life-long dream and what he most enjoyed devoting his time to.  Sleep, and everything else, was secondary.
 
Teaming up with local radio DJs to bring a string of commercial dance tracks to the airwaves, Reuben had his first taste of public exposure and recognition and this led to gigs at local venues and regular radio airplay.  He quickly progressed out of the constraints of commercial dance and moved on to find his true sound in the world of Chillout, Breakbeat and modern orchestral music.
 
After being discovered in 2004 by world renowned DJ and producer Matt Darey--one of the pioneers of today’s Dance music scene--Reuben produced a handful of Chillout remixes for Matt's label ‘Darey Products’ and soon found himself facing demand from other Dance and Trance artists to add his unique touch to their tracks too. With his laid back, euphoric style and his passion for subtle and soothing melodies, he managed to bring a new dimension to any track he touched.  As well as remixing for the country's leading players in dance music, Reuben also found a love for music with a softer, more 'movie soundtrack' feel to it. Focusing on strong and moving melodies but also loving to get his hands on proper songs, he worked with vocalists such as Tiff Lacey, Jan Johnston, Kirsty Hawkshaw, Marcia Juell, Miranda Dickinson and Alessia Kay.
 
Always striving to improve his techniques and refine his sound, he built a new, more professional studio in 2009 and gave birth to his first full length solo album 'Eucalyptus Tree'.  It was also here that his radio show 'Into The Light' was first conceived and grew to reach over 60,000 weekly listeners through online and FM radio stations.
 
Now having completed 6 years as a currency trader, emigrating to Canada and launching an electric skateboard business, Reuben is finding time once again to fine tune his new studio and work on his third solo Chillout album as well as preparing to relaunch his radio show 'Into The Light'.
 
His favorite musical accomplishment to date? Producing the first official chillout remix of Chicane 'Offshore', approved and licensed by Chicane himself. &It was a very special moment for me when Nick from Chicane approved my remix and I got the word back from his publisher that the project was a go.  I'll never forget it.&