Amurai

Amurai (birth name Manvel Ter-Pogosyan; born 1987) is an Armenian-American trance music producer, songwriter, and DJ currently residing in Sacramento, California.

Biography

As producer

Amurai was inspired to begin producing music by ATB's track, 9PM (Till I Come). In 2005 his first track was signed with the US duo Filo & Peri's label "Empire State Records". 'The Amurai EP', which was the title of that release, included two tracks, and was Amurai's first breakthrough release. Mixmag dance music magazine said "'Reminiscent of You' is a solid instrumental but it's 'Beautiful Dreamer' on the flip that steal the show. When the piano drops into the breakdown you'll get goosebumps." Two years later, Amurai collaborated with Static Blue for the track 'After the Sunrise' on Alter Ego Records. This track was remixed by Alex M.O.R.P.H & Woody Van Eyden, as well as Daniel Kandi. Later, he released 'Tears From Armenia' on Solarstone's label "Deep Blue", as an ode to his native country Armenia, which feature the Armenian instrument duduk. In 2008, Amurai collaborated with Jenni Perez and Tiff Lacey, earning him two major releases with Armin Van Buuren's label Armada and Amon Vision, respectively. 'Fallen In Too Deep', which features Jenni Perez, has appeared on such compilations as Ibiza Trance Tunes 2009, Armada Trance 5 and 6, as well as Armada Night "The After."

Throughout his career, the music producer managed to secure releases on some of Europe's most respectable electronic dance music labels such as Armada Recordings and Black Hole Recordings. Amurai, who often finds inspiration from his Armenian roots, has garnered support from high ranking DJs including Tiesto, Armin Van Buuren, ATB, Above & Beyond, Gareth Emery, Roger Shah, Andy Moor, and Dash Berlin among others. Furthermore, Ferry Corsten, a Dutch label owner and DJ, spotted Amurai and featured him in his “Once Upon A Night” compilations. Amurai was the only artist to have two songs featured on each of the 2-part compilation series.

As performer

In the first quarter of 2009, Amurai started his DJ career by launching his own internationally broadcast electronic radio show called Amurai Global. For two years, the show aired on over 10 online and FM radio stations including Trance.fm, Pure.fm, Ensonic.fm, and Pulzar.fm and was also available as a podcast. In 2010, Amurai joined the LMD Group in Los Angeles and claimed residency on Saturdays at Club Circus. His residency enabled him to DJ alongside artists such as Cosmic Gate, tyDi, Solarstone, Tritonal, Simon Patterson and Solarstone while representing the Trance music scene in Los Angeles. In 2011, Amurai was invited by ATB to participate in "ATB In Concert", hosted in Poznan, Poland, to play live piano and close the concert with a DJ set.

As songwriter

In 2011, Amurai contributed as a producer and songwriter in developing ATB's ninth studio artist album entitled "Distant Earth." The album peaked at #7 in the German mainstream Billboard Charts and later reached Gold status.

Songwriting and collaboration credits Year Artist Song Album Songwriter Producer 2012 ATB presents Amurai "Love and Light" Sunset Beach DJ Session 2YesYes ATB feat. Amurai "All You Took" Sunset Beach DJ Session 2YesYes 2011 ATB Feat. Melissa Loretta "If It's Love" Distant EarthNoYes ATB with Amurai Feat. Melissa Loretta "Heartbeat" Distant EarthYesYes ATB feat. Sean Ryan "Killing Me Inside" Distant EarthYesYes ATB feat. Melissa Loretta "White Letters" Distant EarthYesYes

Discography

Original releases Year Artist Song Album Label 2013 Stoneface and Terminal with Amurai "Let You Fall" Be Different Euphonic Amurai "Love & Light (Downtempo Mix)" Armada Lounge, Vol. 6 Arva (Armada) 2012 Amurai "Valencia" Valencia Songbird (Black Hole Recordings) ATB feat. Amurai "All You Took" Distant Earth Kontakt 2011 Amurai feat. Sean Ryan "Killing Me Inside" Killing Me Inside Magik Musik (Black Hole Recordings) ATB with Amurai feat. Melissa Loretta "Heartbeat" Distant Earth Kontakt Saint X feat. Amurai "Black Hole" Black Hole Freefall 2010 Amurai feat. Rough Duchess "Infinity" Once Upon A Night Vol. 2 Premier (Black Hole Recordings) Amurai "Angel Cry" Once Upon A Night Vol. 2 Premier (Black Hole Recordings) Amurai feat. Melissa Loretta "Unconditional Love" Once Upon A Night Vol. 1 Ultra 2009 Manvel Ter-Pogosyan feat. Tiff Lacey "Sweet Memories" Sweet Memories Amon Vision Manvel Ter-Pogosyan feat. Jenni Perez "Fallen In Too Deep" Once Upon A Night Vol. 2 S107 Recordings (Armada) 2008 Manvel Ter-Pogosyan "Tears of Armenia" Balearic Sessions EP Deepblue Records UK Amurai vs. Saint Jules "Grand Prix" Grand Prix Levare (Flashover) 2007 Amurai vs. Static Blue "After the Sunrise" After the Sunrise Alter Ego Records 2005 Amurai "Reminiscent of You" The Amurai EP Empire State Recordings Amurai "Beautiful Dreamer" The Amurai EP Empire State Recordings

Remix releases Year Artist Song Label 2011 Jamie R "Morning Drive (Amurai's Yerevan Remix)" Abora Recordings Jamie R "Morning Drive (Amurai's Los Angeles Remix)" Abora Recordings 2010 Afternova "Sunset in Dubai (Amurai Remix)" Abora Recordings Dash Berlin "Never Cry Again (Amurai's Los Angeles Mix)" Aropa (Armada) Dash Berlin "Never Cry Again (Amurai's Yerevan Mix)" Aropa (Armada) Fender Woods "Ain't She Pretty (Amurai's Yerevan Mix)" Premier (Flashover) Fender Woods "Ain't She Pretty (Amurai's Los Angeles Mix)" Premier (Flashover) George Acosta Feat. Tiff Lacey "I Know (Amurai Remix)" Aco Music Masoud Feat. Josie "Leave It All Behind (Amurai Remix)" Levare (Flashover) 2008 Matt Cerf Feat. Jaren "Walk Away (Manvel Ter-Pogosyan Remix)" Deepblue Records UK Double Agents Feat. Aruna "Electrified (Manvel's Ocean Breeze Mix)" Metallic 2007 Amurai vs. Static Blue "After the Sunrise (Manvel Ter-Pogosyan Remix)" Alter Ego Records Perpetual Feat. Fisher "Innocent (Manvel Ter-Pogosyan Remix)" Enhanced Recordings 2005 Filo & Peri Feat. Fisher "Closer Now (Amurai Remix)" Empire State Recordings Tristraum "First Embrace (Amurai Club Mix)" Section 44