The High-Energy Architects of Modern Tech House
Origins and Early Lives
Solardo’s story begins in Manchester, England, a city renowned for its rich musical heritage spanning rock, rave, and club culture.
Mark Richards
Mark Richards grew up in Manchester surrounded by the city’s dynamic nightlife and club scene. As a teenager, he developed a strong interest in DJ culture and electronic music production.
His early exposure to house and techno came through local clubs and radio shows that showcased the region’s vibrant dance community.
Richards spent years honing his DJ skills, building a reputation for energetic sets and developing technical proficiency with turntables and production software.
James Eliot
James Eliot, also from Manchester, shared a similar passion for electronic music. Growing up during the peak of the UK clubbing era, he became fascinated by the sounds of house, techno, and garage that dominated British nightlife in the early 2000s.
Before forming Solardo, Eliot gained experience performing at local events and experimenting with music production.
Formation of Solardo
Mark Richards and James Eliot eventually crossed paths through Manchester’s tight-knit DJ community. Discovering their shared musical tastes and creative chemistry, the two began collaborating in the early 2010s.
Their partnership quickly proved fruitful. Combining Richards’ DJ instincts with Eliot’s production abilities, the pair developed a distinctive sound rooted in tech house—a genre blending the groove of house music with the driving energy of techno.
The name Solardo soon became synonymous with high-energy tracks designed for peak-time club moments.
Breakthrough and Rapid Rise (2015–2017)
Solardo’s breakthrough came around 2015–2016, when their productions began gaining traction within the underground house scene.
Key early releases included:
- Tribesmen
- On The Corner
- The Aztecs
These tracks caught the attention of major DJs and labels, leading to releases on respected electronic music imprints.
Their momentum accelerated when they began releasing music on influential labels such as:
- Hot Creations
- Relief Records
- Ultra Records
Their energetic productions quickly climbed Beatport charts, and Solardo became regular performers at major club events worldwide.
Musical Style and Influences
Solardo’s sound sits firmly within the tech house genre, but it draws from a broad range of musical influences.
Key elements of their style include:
- powerful rolling basslines
- catchy vocal samples
- driving percussion
- explosive drops designed for large dancefloors
Their musical influences include pioneering house and techno figures such as:
- Carl Cox
- Green Velvet
- Jamie Jones
- The Chemical Brothers
By blending underground club sensibilities with accessible hooks, Solardo has created a sound that appeals to both festival crowds and club purists.
Global Touring and Festival Success
Once their tracks began dominating club playlists, Solardo’s touring schedule expanded dramatically.
They quickly became regular performers at some of the world’s most renowned electronic music festivals, including:
- Tomorrowland
- Ultra Music Festival
- Creamfields
Ibiza, the spiritual home of global clubbing, also became a key stage for their performances. Solardo frequently appeared at high-profile residencies across the island’s legendary venues.
Their DJ sets are known for relentless energy, combining their own productions with cutting-edge tracks from the global tech house scene.
Major Releases and Discography
Although Solardo is best known for singles and EPs, they have built an extensive catalog of influential club tracks.
Selected Singles
| Year | Track |
|---|---|
| 2016 | Tribesmen |
| 2017 | On The Corner |
| 2017 | The Aztecs |
| 2018 | Be Somebody |
| 2019 | Move Your Body |
Notable Collaborations
Solardo has collaborated with several respected electronic artists, including:
- Eli Brown
- CamelPhat
- Idris Elba
These collaborations expanded their musical reach and connected them with different corners of the electronic music community.
Label Ventures and Industry Impact
As their career progressed, Solardo began expanding their role within the industry by launching their own label, Sola Records.
The label serves as a platform for:
- releasing Solardo’s own music
- promoting emerging tech house producers
- experimenting with new sounds within the genre
Through Sola Records, the duo has helped introduce fresh talent to the global dance music scene, reinforcing their role as both creators and curators.
Awards and Industry Recognition
Solardo’s rapid rise has been reflected in industry accolades and DJ rankings.
| Year | Recognition |
|---|---|
| Late 2010s | Breakthrough tech house artists |
| Multiple years | Beatport chart success |
| International recognition | Regular festival headliners |
Their records have consistently been supported by leading DJs across the house and techno spectrum.
Challenges and Career Pressures
The duo’s meteoric rise brought intense touring schedules and the pressures associated with maintaining global popularity.
Electronic music artists often face the challenge of balancing constant travel with studio creativity. Solardo has navigated these pressures while continuing to release new material and maintain a strong presence in clubs and festivals.
Their ability to sustain momentum in a competitive industry demonstrates both resilience and adaptability.
Personal Lives and Creative Philosophy
Despite their high-energy public image, Richards and Eliot tend to keep their personal lives relatively private.
In interviews, they frequently emphasize the importance of passion, friendship, and dedication in their partnership. Their chemistry as collaborators has been central to the Solardo project’s success.
They also often highlight their love for the communal aspect of dance music—the connection between DJs and audiences on the dancefloor.
Recent Activities and Continuing Influence
In recent years, Solardo has continued releasing music, performing internationally, and developing their label.
Their presence remains strong at major festivals and club residencies worldwide, and they continue to influence the evolving sound of tech house.
New generations of producers frequently cite Solardo’s energetic style as an inspiration.
Legacy
Although still actively shaping their career, Solardo has already left a significant mark on modern electronic dance music.
By combining the underground groove of house with festival-scale energy, they helped popularize tech house as a dominant global club sound during the late 2010s and early 2020s.
For audiences discovering electronic music today, Solardo represents the vibrant spirit of contemporary dance culture: energetic, collaborative, and constantly evolving.
