The House Of Usher: The Architects of UK Progressive House

The House Of Usher is a British electronic music production duo, pivotal in shaping the UK's progressive house and trance sound in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Hailing from London, the pair achieved significant commercial success with their debut album, which spawned several Top 40 hits and solidified their reputation for crafting emotive, anthemic club tracks.

Early career

The House Of Usher was formed in London in 1996 by producers Ben Usher and James Usher, who are not biologically related. They began crafting their signature sound, a blend of driving progressive house with melodic trance elements, within the city's vibrant club scene. Their early work gained traction through white label releases and remixes, leading to a deal with the influential dance label Multiply Records in 1997.

Breakthrough

The duo's major breakthrough arrived in 1999 with the release of their debut single, Skippy. The track became an instant club anthem across Europe, receiving heavy rotation on radio and in clubs. This success paved the way for their debut album, Megalithic, released in 2000 on Multiply Records, which charted in the UK and was certified Silver.

Key tracks

Skippy — This 1999 single was their explosive debut, defining their progressive house sound and becoming a staple in DJ sets worldwide.

Egypt — A standout track from the 'Megalithic' album, known for its epic, cinematic build and Middle Eastern-inspired melodies.

Cubik — Their 2001 follow-up hit that further demonstrated their skill in creating intricate, rhythmically complex progressive house.

Floating — A later single showcasing a deeper, more atmospheric side of their production style.

Following the success of Megalithic, The House Of Usher continued to release music and perform DJ sets internationally throughout the early 2000s. They collaborated with vocalists like Lizzy Pattinson and worked on various remix projects for other artists, though they never quite replicated the massive commercial peak of their initial hits. Their influence, however, remained cemented within the progressive house genre.

Fans of The House Of Usher's driving, melodic sound should also explore Way Out West, another UK duo known for sophisticated progressive house and trance. Hybrid shares a similar ambition for cinematic, orchestral-influenced electronic music. For the anthemic side of their work, check out Lostep, and for classic progressive house structures, listen to Bedrock.

The music of The House Of Usher maintains a strong presence on electronic music radio stations featured on this website. Their classic tracks are regularly featured in sets on dedicated progressive house channels, classic trance radio streams, and general electronic dance music stations, ensuring their anthems continue to reach new audiences.

You can hear the iconic progressive house sounds of The House Of Usher on radio stations featured across our network. Explore the electronic music stations available on onairium.com to discover their timeless tracks and similar artists shaping the dance floor.