Markus Schulz

Not just a local hero anymore, Markus Schulz rides a wave of adulation for his second artist album, Progression, into Mansion on Saturday. These days the German-born DJ and producer lives in and operates out of Miami as well as Berlin. And from wherever he calls home at the moment, he helms Global DJ Broadcast, a weekly radio show airing on Digitally Imported Radio. Until recently, the show, broadcast on the Internet and more than 30 radio stations, has been his primary claim to fame. But the dark, moody, often-gorgeous themes of Progression (released this past September on Ultra Records) has solidified his reputation as one of progressive trance's most gifted artists.

Schulz has also maintained a connection to the Armin van Buuren crew since 1999, when he became the first artist signed to the Electronic Element imprint, a subsidiary of van Buuren's Armada label. He has also released music through Cold Harbor, a self-run imprint distributed through Armada. As far as gigs, Schulz has played everywhere from Australia to Russia, China to Trinidad. And 2008 will bring more dates in Australia, Asia, and South America as he promotes his recently released mix compilation, Amsterdam '08, which follows in the footsteps of Miami '05 and Ibiza '06.