There is a general rule of thumb when it comes to party locations and dance music with an edge – where there are surfers there is always a wicked party and rave scene. The nascent South African rave and party scene faced stiff competition from established Southern Hemisphere party locations. The South African scene attracts the party cognoscenti, those who are “in the know” and like to party off the beaten track. It’s earthy, it’s tribal and very much “non-commercial”. Think about the vibe of late 80’s Ibiza and Goa and you’re just about there.

The same holds true for South Africa’s top dance DJs and producers. They, too, have been overlooked. That’s set to change. Eric McCallaghan is one of South Africa's most-released trance and progressive music producers. His tracks (under his own label, Beats Me Records) has releases on more than a million printed CDs through 85 compilations, 16 singles, 3 albums and 18 12" vinyl's, with more than 30 songs licensed to international companies.

The secret? Eric writes hooks that are as sharp as a Khoisan spearhead. His rhythms have an exquisite timing that borders almost on the tribal. And he knows how to get the most out of a beat. The genres of trance and progressive house were always going to be a natural outlet for Eric’s talents. The synths produce mashed up FX and mayhem one minute, only to be euphoric in the next. Eric’s tracks are many things – but never predictable. Add superb vocal talents to the mix, and you get tracks that work on every level. The vibe can be as hard as a set wave’s pit or as warm as the South African Bergwind.

Cape Town native Eric’s style as a producer, remixer and DJ lead to early success in South Africa. That success gave him the drive and determination to fulfil his vision and break through onto the international dance music scene. The first taste of international recognition hit in 1996 when he was signed to BMG Records Africa. That affiliation had Eric co-producing tracks for artists like Patricia Lewis, TK-ZEE, Helene Henn and Sugardrive. His remix work for Bellissima went Gold.

Eric went on to produce tracks with DJs' Paul Almeida, Dimitri, Spiro and Anton Olwage - which featured on albums released domestically as well as the UK, Europe, USA, Canada, Asia and Thailand. He has also co-produced with 5FM's Derek Richardson, Ian F, Sasha Martinengo and Mark Gillman.

Eric had 3 Top 40 songs on the 5 FM charts in the course of 1 week: with tracks at number 2 "Xplicit - Heatseeker" (number 1 on South Africa's National Dance Chart, also played by Judge Jules on BBC Radio 1). Also “Mauritz Lotz” at number 17 and "Swimming with Dolphins" at number 5. Heatseeker also received the "Best SA Dance Track 2000" for "Xplicit" by Beat Nation. He has had 22 original tracks licensed and remixed for release in the UK and Benelux. "Beyond the Wheel" was signed by ZTT (Vision). He co-produced "IF I" with Belgium DJ Philip.

Eric continues to do remixes for various labels in the UK, working with the likes of Richard Coal, George Miller (The Chemist) and Lee Witherspoon (The Science of Rhythm). "Spinning" got a 4-and-a-half out of five by John '00' Fleming for Mixer Mag USA.

Eric is also an accomplished DJ and has played in countless top South African clubs like Flyhouse, DNA, Evolution , The Gallery and Dockside. Internationally he has played Belgium’s "Illusion's La Noche", "Shaft" and "Lazurra". In 2001, he was one of the first non Pakistani DJs to play in Karachi, Pakistan.