Richie Monaghan—better known behind the decks as R.E.C.—is a DJ and producer whose journey stretches from the rugged coastlines of Donegal, Ireland, to the forward‑thinking dance floors of Boston, Massachusetts. His obsession with electronic music took hold at seminal festivals like Homelands and Creamfields in the late ’90s and early 2000s, where sets from Carl Cox, John Digweed, Sasha, Sander Kleinenberg, and Richie Hawtin ignited a lifelong passion for the craft. The move to Dublin in 2002 proved pivotal: armed with a pair of Technics 1210s and an ever‑growing vinyl collection, Richie immersed himself in the city’s thriving club scene, sowing the seeds for the artist he is today.
Honing his skills in the shadows of his bedroom studio, Richie eventually emerged to make his dream debut at Dublin’s iconic Pod nightclub (formerly the Red Box). True to the oft‑overlooked art of the warm‑up DJ, he rarely strays above 124 BPM—an approach that has earned him coveted support slots alongside heavyweights such as John Digweed, Matador, The Japanese Popstars, and Mr. C across Ireland and Massachusetts. Now a resident for Boston‑based promoters Dusk Till Done, R.E.C. continues to curate immersive opening sets that lay the foundation for unforgettable nights.
Production soon became the next frontier. Guided in part by friend and mentor Gavin Lynch (a.k.a. Matador), Richie sharpened his studio acumen through classes at BIMM Dublin, seminars, and countless late‑night sessions. Teaming up with longtime friend Gary Curran (a.k.a. Confute), he delivered “2002” on Bedrock Records before unleashing the three‑track “Unexpected” EP on Compatible Music—bolstered by remixes from David Scuba and Eden Of East and championed by some of dance music’s top DJs. Further Compatible releases followed, including “Low Roller”, “Wash Over”, Richie’s solo “Trisk” EP, and his latest statement piece, the pulsating “Tremor”. Whether crafting hypnotic grooves in the studio or setting the tone for peak‑time maestros, Richie Monaghan remains steadfast in his mission: to unite dancers under a shared rhythm and keep the warm‑up art form burning bright.
