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Eric Prydz
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Key Information
Eric Sheridan Prydz (/prɪdz/, Swedish: [ˈêːrɪk ˈɕêːrɪdan ˈprʏts]; born 19 July 1976), also known by his many aliases including Pryda (/ˈpraɪdə/)[2] and Cirez D (/ˈsaɪrɛz/), is a Swedish DJ and record producer. He rose to prominence with his 2004 hit single "Call on Me", and saw continued chart success with "Proper Education" in 2007, "Pjanoo" in 2008, and "Opus" in 2015. In 2016, he released his debut studio album, Opus.
In 2017, he won DJ of the Year at the Electronic Music Awards and was also nominated for Live Act of the Year.
Career
[edit]2004–2008: "Call on Me" and Swedish House Mafia
[edit]Prydz is perhaps best known for his 2004 hit single "Call on Me". It topped the UK singles chart for five weeks[3] and was number one on the German Top 100 for six consecutive weeks.[4] Although this track made him immensely popular, Prydz has stopped playing it in his shows in an attempt to distance himself from it.[5] In some respects he has succeeded, and with his newer songs, Prydz has gained recognition from both underground and mainstream fans.[6] In 2006, he released a remixed version of Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2", titled "Proper Education",[citation needed] with a video.[7]
In 2008, Prydz released the critically acclaimed single "Pjanoo", which topped the UK Dance Chart.[8]
Together with Axwell, Sebastian Ingrosso and Steve Angello, Prydz formed a group of DJs that informally referred to themselves as the Swedish House Mafia.[9] When the group with the same name officially formed in late 2008, Prydz decided not to join his friends.[10] He has collaborated with Axwell under the name Axer[11] and with Angello as A&P Project.[12]
2009–2013: Eric Prydz Presents Pryda
[edit]In 2009, Prydz released "Miami to Atlanta", where the "Pryda snare" was first used. The Pryda snare is a popular technique in house and trance music consisting of a compressed and sustained snare sample at the end of a bar. Commonly used to mark progressions in a song structure, it has been widely sampled in the electronic dance music world, notably by producers such as Martin Garrix, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, and W&W.[13]
On 21 May 2012, Prydz released his debut artist album, Eric Prydz Presents Pryda, as a 3-disc album on Virgin Records (Astralwerks in the USA). Disc 1 is made up of new unreleased Pryda productions, which some fans may have heard as works in progress (including Shadows, Agag, Mighty Love, Allein and the intro edit of Pjanoo). Discs 2 and 3 bring together many of the classic tracks from the Pryda catalogue, sequenced and continuously mixed by the man himself, including some of his special re-edits.[14]
The Ministry of Sound club in London hosted the launch of Eric Prydz Presents Pryda on 14 April 2012, where Prydz played some of the tracks from the album.[15][16] Inserting the CD in a computer and visiting Prydz's Facebook page provides access to a download of 'Tijuana', a track previously known as 'Space Miami ID' in .WAV format.[citation needed]
His 2013 Essential Mix was named Essential Mix of the Year by Pete Tong.[17]
2014–present: PR(10)DA, PR(15)DA EPs and Opus
[edit]
2014 was the 10th year of Prydz's label Pryda Recordings, and, as a result, on 9 January 2014, Prydz announced a special upcoming artist album which was initially due for release later that year.[18] On 4 May 2015, Prydz announced PR(10)DA, a collection of unreleased tracks from January 2004 to December 2014. PR(10)DA was released over three EPs, leading up to an album release in February 2016.
On 19 May 2014, Prydz announced via social media the third installment of his concert, Eric Prydz in Concert, titled EPIC 3.0. Promising the 'world's largest indoor hologram', new music, and new visuals, the show was to be held at Madison Square Garden during the Fall.[19] Prydz performed his EPIC 3.0 show on 27 September 2014, playing a large range of new and unreleased material.[20] The show incorporated a 4K 20-metre (66 ft) hologram and 32 lasers.[21][22]
On 4 July 2015, Prydz was the first DJ with a set featured as a "One Mix" on Beats 1, the worldwide radio station on Apple Music.[23]
On 5 February 2016, Prydz released his debut studio album Opus.[24]
On 28 June 2016, Prydz collaborated with Luke Versalko from Mashable to produce a short documentary that details the making of his Epic 4.0 show.[25] In June 2016, he also appeared on Insomniacs Night Owl Radio.[26]
To celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Prydz' Pryda alias, on 10 April 2019 he announced the release of PR(15)DA, a collection of 27 songs.[27]
On 19 July 2019, Prydz announced EPIC 6.0. This instalment of his EPIC series involved a multi-storey eight-meter-wide transparent LED holosphere, which surrounded Prydz during his performance at Tomorrowland festival. The sphere was made up of seventy-two interlocking handmade panels, which contained over 2.4 million LEDs to illuminate with galaxies, darts of electricity, and alien planets.[28]
Prydz presented a HOLO performance at the 22nd Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April 2023.[29]
On March 15, 2025, Prydz performed "Call On Me" for the first time in 20 years as part of the "20 Years of Prydz" show in Austin, Texas.[30]
Aside from producing music, Prydz also runs the record labels Pryda, Pryda Friends, Pryda Presents, and Mouseville, which release most of his own music.[31] On Pryda, he releases music as Pryda. On Mouseville Records, started in 2002, he releases techno tracks as Cirez D.[32]
Personal life
[edit]Prydz has a fear of flying, which means he mainly tours on a bus.[33] He moved from London to Los Angeles in 2012, where he lived until his return to Sweden in 2021 after getting divorced from his former wife Sofie,[34] with whom he has two children.
Discography
[edit]Studio albums
- Opus (2016)
DJ Magazine Top 100
[edit]| Year | Position | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 187 | Non Entry | [35] |
| 2006 | 123 | Non Entry (Up 64) | |
| 2007 | 36 | New Entry (Up 87) | |
| 2008 | 21 | Up 15 | |
| 2009 | 34 | Down 13 | |
| 2010 | 30 | Up 4 | |
| 2011 | 46 | Down 16 | |
| 2012 | 52 | Down 8 | |
| 2013 | 54 | Down 2 | |
| 2014 | 60 | Down 6 | |
| 2015 | 57 | Up 3 | |
| 2016 | 66 | Down 9 | |
| 2017 | 34 | Up 32 | |
| 2018 | 20 | Up 14 | |
| 2019 | 17 | Up 3 | |
| 2020 | 22 | Down 5 | [36] |
| 2021 | 31 | Down 9 | [37] |
| 2022 | 29 | Up 2 | [38] |
| 2023 | 39 | Down 10 | [39] |
| 2024 | 46 | Down 7 | [40] |
References
[edit]- ^ Bein, Kat (21 November 2016). "Eric Prydz Releases New Three-Track Pryda EP". Billboard. Retrieved 13 December 2016.
- ^ Interviewer pronounces "Pryda". Youtube.com. Retrieved 3 March 2010.[dead YouTube link]
- ^ "Call On Me – Eric Prydz". British Chart Singles. 22 September 2014. Archived from the original on 12 August 2016. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
- ^ "Call On Me by Eric Prydz - Music Charts". acharts.co. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
- ^ Cragg, Michael (24 February 2016). "Eric Prydz: 'EDM is like a gateway drug … or McDonald's'". the Guardian. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
- ^ "Sound & Silence Media News - Eric Prydz to Bring the Beat in Chicago 02/23". www.sound-andsilence.com. Archived from the original on 8 August 2016. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
- ^ Embassy One (2 February 2009), Eric Prydz vs. Floyd - Proper Education, retrieved 20 June 2016
- ^ "UK Dance Chart: Eric Prydz - Pjanoo". OfficialCharts.com. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
- ^ "Swedish House Mafia - Biography | Billboard". www.billboard.com. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
- ^ "Eric Prydz: Swedish House, No Mafia". Rolling Stone. 19 July 2013. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
- ^ "Introducing Unsung Heroes!: AxEr [Axwell & Eric Prydz] - 123 (Original Mix)". Your EDM. 12 November 2012. Retrieved 9 December 2018.
- ^ TheSunbreathe (15 April 2010), Steve Angello & Eric Prydz press. A&P Project feat. Zemya Hamilton - Sunrize (Original Mix), retrieved 20 June 2016
- ^ "The Pryda Snare; History and Recreating it". Splice blog. 23 September 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
- ^ "Eric Prydz Presents: Pryda". EmiMusic.com. Archived from the original on March 23, 2012. Retrieved March 21, 2012.
- ^ "Eric Prydz's Pryda Album is released May 21, tracklisting revealed". Beat My Day - It's all about the house music!. Archived from the original on 21 September 2016. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
- ^ "Pryda Album Launch at Ministry Of Sound". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
- ^ "Eric Prydz - Essential Mix (2013) (Essential Mix of the Year)".
- ^ "Eric Prydz hints at new Pryda album". rollingstone.com. 19 May 2014. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
- ^ "Eric Prydz announces Epic 3.0 Show, Madison Square Garden Performance". dancingastronaut.com. 8 January 2014. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
- ^ "Hear Eric Prydz's scorching three-hour set from EPIC 3.0". inthemix.com. Archived from the original on October 1, 2014. Retrieved 2014-10-02.
- ^ "Hit me with those 32 lasers..." facebook.com. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
- ^ "Eric Prydz Is Bringing the World's Largest Hologram to MSG Tonight". blogs.villagevoice.com. Archived from the original on September 30, 2014. Retrieved October 4, 2014.
- ^ "Eric Prydz drops the first DJ set on Apple's Beats 1 radio". Mixmag. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
- ^ Rishty, David (1 December 2015). "Eric Prydz Reveals 'OPUS' Release Date & Phase 1 of EPIC 4.0 Tour Dates". Retrieved 22 January 2016.
- ^ "Eric Prydz's New Documentary Reveals the Magic Behind 'Epic 4.0' Tour". Billboard. 29 June 2016. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
- ^ "Night Owl Radio Episode 44". Insomniac. Retrieved 24 June 2016.
- ^ "Eric Prydz releases PRYDA 15 VOL I EP". We Rave You. 24 June 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
- ^ Deahl, Dani (9 July 2019). "Eric Prydz is going to DJ inside a giant glowing sphere — here's how it was made". The Verge. Retrieved 6 March 2022.
- ^ Cristobal, Gustavo (19 April 2023). "Eric Prydz delivers a mind-blowing HOLO performance at Coachella 2023: Watch". We Rave You. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
- ^ "WATCH: Eric Prydz plays 'Call On Me' for first time in 20 years after calling it 'cringe'". Rova.
- ^ "About Eric Prydz". mtv.com. Viacom International Incorporated. Archived from the original on 6 May 2013. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
- ^ "RA: Mouseville - Record Label". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
- ^ Mason, Kerry (29 September 2012). "Can EDM Maestro Eric Prydz Become a U.S. Star?". Billboard. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
- ^ "Eric Prydz Finalizes Divorce, Will Relocate to Sweden". 9 June 2021.
- ^ "Top 100 (250) DJ MAG 1997 - 2019 | Top 100 DJS DJ Music ‹ 2020". Vk.com. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
- ^ "Top 100 DJs 2020; DJ MAG 2020". djmag.com. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
- ^ "Top 100 DJs 2021; DJ MAG 2021". djmag.com. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
- ^ "Top 100 DJs 2022; DJ MAG 2022". djmag.com. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
- ^ "Top 100 DJs 2023; DJ MAG 2023". djmag.com. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
- ^ "Top 100 DJs 2024; DJ MAG 2023". djmag.com. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
External links
[edit]Eric Prydz
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Upbringing in Sweden
Eric Sheridan Prydz was born on 19 July 1976 in Täby, a suburb of Stockholm, Sweden.[2] He was raised partly in Sweden and the United Kingdom.[3] He grew up in a family with Swedish roots on both sides, though his middle name reflects possible English heritage through his mother's side; his parents are Marianne Sheridan Larsen and Jan Prydz.[17] Although not from a deeply musical household—his father reportedly struggled with rhythm while his mother enjoyed club dancing in the 1980s—Prydz developed an early fascination with music as a child.[18] From the age of eight, Prydz began playing piano, viewing it initially as casual fun rather than a serious pursuit.[8] He soon convinced his parents to purchase a keyboard, which he used to recreate tracks by influential electronic acts like Depeche Mode, sparking his interest in synthesis and production.[8] During his teenage years in the Stockholm region, he attended local schools while nurturing a growing passion for synthesizers and computers, often experimenting with technology that would later define his career.[8] This period laid the groundwork for his technical affinity, as he balanced school with self-taught explorations in electronic sounds. By the mid-1990s, as a teenager, Prydz started hands-on music production using basic home equipment. In 1994, he joined the synth band Enemy Alliance as drummer, touring locally in Sweden and aspiring to emulate pioneers like Kraftwerk.[8] These early experiments, conducted in modest setups, marked his transition from listener to creator, influenced by the burgeoning electronic scene in Sweden before he pursued opportunities abroad.[8]Move to UK and music beginnings
Prydz's entry into the music industry began during his teenage years in Sweden, where he developed a passion for electronic music inspired by synth-pop and krautrock acts. At age 8, he started playing piano and experimenting with recreating tracks by Depeche Mode on a home keyboard. By 1994, at 18, he joined the synth band Enemy Alliance as drummer, touring Sweden and drawing influence from Kraftwerk's electronic soundscapes.[8] Determined to pursue production full-time, Prydz quit his job that year and spent the next two years in near-poverty, focusing exclusively on creating techno-funk tracks with basic equipment like the Roland MC-505 Groovebox. During the mid-1990s, he began DJing at local Swedish venues, honing his skills in intimate club settings while producing unreleased material. His persistence paid off with his debut release in 2000, the double A-side "By Your Side"/"Mr. Jingles" on EMI's New Religion imprint, which marked his initial foray into the international market via London.[8] The breakthrough success of his 2004 single "Call on Me" prompted Prydz to relocate to London later that year, seeking better opportunities for touring and immersion in the UK's dynamic electronic scene. Living initially without a long-term plan, he stayed for seven years, using the move to expand his performances in underground clubs and raves influenced by house and techno elements. This period allowed him to build connections, experiment with pseudonyms for diverse styles—such as Cirez D for harder techno—and cultivate a growing audience before attracting major label attention.[19][20]Career
Breakthrough hits (2004–2008)
Eric Prydz achieved international breakthrough in 2004 with his debut single "Call on Me," a house track that sampled the chorus from Steve Winwood's 1982 song "Valerie." Released on September 13, 2004, via Ministry of Sound and Data Records, the track topped the UK Singles Chart for five non-consecutive weeks, becoming one of the year's biggest dance hits. The song's music video, directed by Reich & Bell and featuring women in aerobics outfits performing suggestive exercises, sparked significant controversy for its perceived objectification, leading to bans on some UK television channels while boosting its visibility and cultural impact. Building on this success, Prydz released "Proper Education" in early 2007, a remix of Pink Floyd's 1979 track "Another Brick in the Wall, Part II," which fused the original's iconic guitar riff with pulsating electronic beats. Issued on January 1, 2007, through Virgin Records, the single peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart, highlighting his ability to blend classic rock elements with dance music for mainstream appeal. It also charted highly across Europe, including number two in Ireland and number three in Finland, and earned platinum certification in the UK for over 400,000 sales, further establishing Prydz's crossover success in the pop-dance genre. In 2008, Prydz briefly collaborated with fellow Swedish producers Axwell, Sebastian Ingrosso, and Steve Angello, forming the supergroup Swedish House Mafia and contributing to their early tracks like "One," which laid the groundwork for the group's anthemic house sound. However, Prydz departed the collective shortly after its formation in late 2008 due to creative differences, allowing the trio to pursue their vision independently while he focused on solo endeavors. This period contrasted with Prydz's mainstream hits, as he simultaneously developed his techno alias Cirez D, releasing darker, club-oriented tracks on his own Mouseville Records label, founded in 2002. Notable early Cirez D releases from 2004 to 2008, such as "On Off" and "Thunder," emphasized raw techno rhythms and minimalism, providing a stark counterpoint to his vocal-driven pop anthems and appealing to underground electronic audiences.[21][22]Pryda establishment (2009–2013)
Following the success of his breakthrough hits under his own name, Eric Prydz increasingly channeled his creative energies into the Pryda alias during 2009–2013, establishing it as a platform for deeper, more experimental progressive house productions tailored for club environments. The alias had debuted earlier with tracks like "Aftermath" in 2005 on Pryda Recordings, the label Prydz founded in 2005 to showcase his instrumental work, but it truly gained traction with the 2008 single "Pjanoo," whose melodic piano riff and driving rhythm continued to resonate in sets and charts throughout this period.[23] Pryda Recordings, initially focused on Prydz's own output, ramped up activity in 2009 with releases that defined the alias's signature sound, including the EP Animal / Miami to Atlanta / Loaded. The title track "Miami to Atlanta" introduced the iconic "Pryda snare"—a crisp, layered percussion technique that became a staple in progressive house—emphasizing atmospheric builds and hypnotic grooves over vocal hooks. Later that year, the label issued "Melo / Lift / Reeperbahn" and "Waves / Alfon," further showcasing Prydz's emphasis on emotive, club-ready tracks that prioritized sonic texture and progression. These releases highlighted the label's growth as a hub for innovative electronic music, though signings remained selective and centered on Prydz's vision.[24] In 2010 and 2011, Prydz expanded the Pryda sound with singles like "Viro / Emos" and the instrumental "Niton," the latter evolving into the vocal-driven "Niton (The Reason)" under his main moniker, which peaked at number 20 on the UK Singles Chart and exemplified melodic progressive house with its soaring synths and emotional depth. This period marked Prydz's pivot away from group collaborations, including his early informal ties to Swedish House Mafia, toward solo Pryda endeavors that allowed greater artistic control.[25][21] The culmination of this establishment phase arrived in 2012 with Eric Prydz Presents Pryda, a three-disc compilation on Virgin Records featuring 37 tracks of originals, remixes, and a continuous mix spanning the alias's history. Released on May 21, this retrospective not only compiled seminal Pryda works like "Pjanoo" and "Miami to Atlanta" but also introduced new material, such as "Shadows" and "Allein," reinforcing the alias's influence on the genre and celebrating a decade of the label's evolution into a respected progressive house imprint.[26][27]Opus and PRDA expansions (2014–2020)
In 2016, Eric Prydz released his debut studio album, Opus, through Virgin EMI Records, marking a significant milestone in his career as his first full-length project under his own name. The double-disc album, comprising 19 tracks, showcased Prydz's evolution in progressive house, blending intricate builds, melodic layers, and emotional depth, with the title track "Opus" standing out for its sweeping, orchestral-inspired crescendos that evoke a cinematic quality. Collaborations on the record included "Breathe" featuring vocals from Rob Swire of Pendulum and Knife Party, adding a vocal-driven intensity, as well as "Moody Mondays" with The Cut, highlighting Prydz's ability to integrate guest artists into his signature sound. Released on February 5, 2016, Opus received praise for its ambitious scope, positioning Prydz as a key figure in elevating electronic music's artistic boundaries.[28][29][30] Building on the success of his Pryda label, established in 2005, Prydz expanded its catalog with the PR(10)DA series in 2015, a collection of previously unreleased tracks spanning a decade of production to commemorate the label's 10-year milestone. Issued across three EPs—Volumes I, II, and III in July, August, and September respectively—PR(10)DA featured raw, club-oriented progressive house cuts like "Rebel XX," "Loving You," and "SOL," emphasizing Prydz's unrestrained creative process without commercial pressures. This initiative culminated in a comprehensive retrospective compilation, reinforcing Pryda's role as a platform for his experimental side. Later, in 2019, Prydz marked the label's 15th anniversary with the PR(15)DA series, releasing three volumes of mastered tracks debuted in live sets, including emotive pieces such as "Shadows" and "T.I.D.E.," which captured the label's enduring hypnotic and melodic ethos.[31][23][32] During this period, Prydz continued issuing singles under the Pryda moniker, further blending progressive house with emotive, tension-building structures. "Generate," released on April 13, 2015, via Pryda Recordings, exemplified this approach with its pulsating basslines and uplifting synth progressions, serving as a precursor to Opus material. Similarly, "Liberate," issued in June 2014, introduced orchestral-like swells and euphoric drops that became staples in his sets, underscoring Prydz's focus on immersive, narrative-driven tracks rather than formulaic club fare. These releases not only sustained momentum for the label but also highlighted his refinement of emotional builds within the genre.[33] Prydz's live performances evolved significantly from 2014 to 2020, incorporating Opus elements into his pioneering HOLO audiovisual production, which debuted at Ultra Music Festival in 2014 with synchronized holographic projections and LED visuals synced to tracks. By 2016, with the EPIC 4.0 iteration, shows integrated Opus tracks like "Floj," "Last Dragon," and the title track, using a massive holographic cube and multi-screen setup to create immersive, 360-degree environments that amplified the album's dramatic builds. This period saw HOLO tested and refined across global tours, including residencies, where the visuals—designed in collaboration with teams like GMUNK—transformed standard DJ sets into synchronized spectacles, enhancing audience engagement with Prydz's music.[34][35][36]Recent projects and tours (2021–present)
In 2023, Eric Prydz revived his Pryda alias with the single "The Return," marking the project's first major release in five years and debuting it during his set at the Ushuaïa Ibiza opening party.[37][38] The track, characterized by pulsating progressive house elements, quickly became a staple in his live performances throughout the summer season.[39] Prydz continued his output in 2024 with the collaborative single "We Are Mirage (Radio Edit)" alongside Empire of the Sun, released on November 28 as part of the latter's "We Are The People Reimagined" project.[40] This remix-infused track blended Prydz's signature melodic builds with the duo's ethereal pop, earning play across streaming platforms and festival sets.[41] The year 2025 saw Prydz embark on the "20 Years of Pryda" North American tour, a multi-city run celebrating two decades of his influential label and progressive house sound, featuring extended full sets of Pryda classics (as of November 2025).[42][43] A highlight came during the March 16 Austin stop at The Concourse Project, where he surprised fans by performing "Call on Me"—his 2004 breakthrough hit—for the first time in 21 years, blending it seamlessly into the anniversary retrospective.[44][45] Prydz's Ibiza presence evolved through innovative residencies, starting with the HOLO audiovisual concept at Ushuaïa in 2023, which integrated "The Return" into immersive light shows.[46] This progressed to the [CELL] residency at Hï Ibiza in 2024, running Mondays from June 24 to September 9 with custom light installations and guest appearances from artists like Adam Beyer.[47][48] In 2025, he extended his visual innovations with Holosphere 2.0 at the new [UNVRS] venue, debuting on June 23 and incorporating five years of developed 3D holographic and LED effects throughout the season (ongoing as of November 2025).[13][49]Aliases and style
Key aliases
Eric Prydz has employed multiple aliases throughout his career to delineate distinct musical explorations, enabling him to compartmentalize commercial endeavors from more subterranean, experimental output. This approach has facilitated over 100 releases across various pseudonyms, preserving artistic separation while showcasing his versatility in electronic music production.[50] His primary alias, Pryda, emerged in 2004 and centers on progressive house with melodic, club-focused tracks designed for immersive dancefloor experiences. Pryda also serves as the imprint for his Pryda Recordings label, established that same year to champion this sound.[51][52] Cirez D, introduced in 2004 via Prydz's Mouseville label, embodies a darker techno aesthetic, emphasizing minimalistic and industrial elements for intense, underground club settings.[53][54] Among his other pseudonyms, Sheridan represents an early venture into pop-oriented remixes, while Dirty Funker captures funk-infused house hybrids from the early 2000s. Additionally, A&P Project marks a collaborative effort with Steve Angello for select trance-inflected works, such as the 2009 single "Sunrize" featuring Zemya Hamilton.[55][56]Production techniques
Eric Prydz's production techniques have evolved significantly over his career, transitioning from sample-based pop remixes in the 2000s to original compositions in the 2010s that emphasize intricate sound design and emotional layering. Early works like "Call on Me" (2004) relied on sampling Steve Winwood's 1982 track "Valerie" as a core element, which Prydz looped and filtered into a high-energy house framework to achieve mainstream appeal.[57] This method allowed for quick, impactful builds by repurposing familiar vocal and melodic phrases. By contrast, his 2016 album Opus represents a shift to bespoke creations, with tracks composed from scratch using synthesized elements and no external samples, focusing on progressive structures that prioritize originality and studio craftsmanship.[10] Prydz employs Logic Pro as his primary digital audio workstation, leveraging its built-in synthesizers and effects plugins to construct layered builds and breakdowns central to his progressive house sound.[58] These techniques create tension through gradual accumulation of melodic and rhythmic elements, as heard in the title track of Opus, where a four-minute ascent of swelling synths and percussion culminates in a explosive drop marked by sharp, resonant snares.[10] His reliance on software enables precise control over dynamics, allowing for seamless transitions between sparse breakdowns and dense climaxes without hardware dependencies. A hallmark of Prydz's style is the integration of piano riffs, orchestral-like synth samples, and reverb-heavy atmospheres to foster immersive, euphoric experiences. In "Pjanoo" (2008), a piano riff serves as the emotional anchor, processed with generous reverb to evoke a vast, anthemic space that amplifies the track's club energy.[59] Similarly, Opus tracks employ sweeping, string-emulating synth layers that mimic orchestral arrangements, contributing to their cinematic scale and prompting orchestral covers in live settings.[60] To enhance emotional resonance, Prydz incorporates live instrumentation and vocal collaborations in the studio, blending organic recordings with electronic elements for added humanity, as seen in vocal-driven pieces like those on Opus that feature processed yet expressive performances.[61]Performances and visuals
DJ sets and residencies
Eric Prydz began his DJ career in London clubs during the early 2000s, establishing a presence in the UK's underground electronic scene through regular performances at venues like Ministry of Sound. Following the release of his breakthrough single "Call on Me" in 2004, which achieved global chart success, Prydz transitioned from local residencies to extensive international touring, performing across Europe, North America, and Asia while maintaining a base in London for key events.[20][50] In the 2010s, Prydz launched long-term event series under his Pryda banner, including Pryda Friends parties in Sweden and the UK, where he curated lineups featuring artists from his Pryda Recordings label such as Jeremy Olander and Gui Boratto. Notable examples include the Pryda Warehouse Party in London in 2010 and the Pryda Arena at Creamfields in the UK that same year, which showcased exclusive sets and label previews to dedicated fans. These events emphasized Prydz's role as a tastemaker in progressive house, blending his own performances with emerging talents from his roster.[62][63] Prydz's residency at Hï Ibiza commenced in 2023 with the HOLO show in the Theatre room, evolving into the [CELL] concept by 2024. In 2025, Prydz presented Holosphere 2.0 weekly every Monday at UNVRS in Ibiza from June 2 to September 1, running for 14 weeks with Pryda-focused sets highlighting tracks from his alias and label. The residency features immersive audio experiences and guest appearances from techno and house artists, solidifying Prydz's influence on Ibiza's club circuit.[64][65][66] Beyond residencies, Prydz has maintained a prominent festival presence, headlining major events like Tomorrowland in Belgium, Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) in Las Vegas, and Exit Festival in Serbia in 2025. These sets often tie into his 20 Years of Pryda tour, celebrating the label's milestone with extended progressive house journeys. In 2025, he incorporated rare classics like "Call on Me" into select performances for the first time in over two decades.[67][68][69][44][70]Audiovisual innovations
Eric Prydz has been at the forefront of integrating advanced audiovisual technology into electronic dance music performances, creating immersive experiences that synchronize holographic projections and dynamic lighting with his tracks. In 2017, during his EPIC 5.0 tour, Prydz introduced groundbreaking holographic elements, featuring what were described as the world's largest holographic video projections spanning 20 meters wide, synced precisely to compositions like "Opus" to produce three-dimensional spatial effects that enveloped audiences.[71][72] These innovations utilized Holo-Gauze technology for transparent, reflective screens that allowed projections to appear as floating 3D forms, enhancing the emotional depth of tracks through visual storytelling.[73] Building on this foundation, Prydz debuted his HOLO show in 2018, evolving the concept with more refined holographic integrations and custom software for real-time synchronization between audio and visuals. By 2019, the EPIC 6.0: HOLOSPHERE iteration marked a significant advancement, incorporating a massive 8-meter transparent LED sphere surrounding the DJ booth, over 20 lasers, expansive LED walls, and proprietary software to generate geometric patterns and immersive environments that reacted dynamically to the music.[74][75] This setup, produced in collaboration with visual director GMUNK and his team including animators Conor Grebel and Michael Rigley, pushed boundaries in scale and interactivity, using Cinema 4D for bespoke animations that transformed festival stages into otherworldly realms.[36][76] Prydz's audiovisual approach continued to evolve into full production sets at major festivals, where layered holograms, laser arrays, and LED configurations created narrative-driven spectacles. In 2025, the Holosphere 2.0 update, debuted at UNVRS in Ibiza, featured enhanced holographic elements and updated visuals tailored to anniversary tracks from his Pryda catalog, incorporating advanced projection mapping for deeper immersion during the 20-year milestone celebrations.[77][66] These developments, often realized through partnerships with production firms like RES, have set benchmarks in EDM for audiovisual synergy, influencing how artists design live experiences to blend sound and sight seamlessly.[12][78]Recognition
DJ Magazine rankings
Eric Prydz first entered the DJ Magazine Top 100 DJs poll in 2007, debuting at position 36. His early success coincided with the peak popularity of his 2006-2007 hit "Proper Education," a remix of Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall" that propelled his mainstream recognition.[79] He climbed steadily in subsequent years, reaching his highest position of No. 17 in 2019, reflecting his evolution from commercial hits to innovative productions and live shows.[80] Throughout the 2010s, Prydz maintained a strong presence in the poll, with consistent top 50 placements in several years, including No. 30 in 2010, No. 34 in 2017, No. 20 in 2018, No. 17 in 2019, and No. 22 in 2020.[81][82][80][83] These rankings highlighted his sustained appeal, bolstered by releases like the 2016 album Opus and his Pryda alias's underground influence, even as he occasionally dipped into the 50s and 60s during transitional periods.[84]| Year | Position | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 36 | New entry |
| 2008 | 21 | +15 |
| 2009 | 34 | -13 |
| 2010 | 30 | +4 |
| 2011 | 46 | -16 |
| 2012 | 52 | -6 |
| 2013 | 54 | -2 |
| 2014 | 60 | -6 |
| 2015 | 57 | +3 |
| 2016 | 66 | -9 |
| 2017 | 34 | +32 |
| 2018 | 20 | +14 |
| 2019 | 17 | +3 |
| 2020 | 22 | -5 |
| 2021 | 31 | -9 |
| 2022 | 29 | +2 |
| 2023 | 39 | -10 |
| 2024 | 46 | -7 |
| 2025 | 37 | +9 |
