Armin van Buuren - The Armin Effect
Trance heavyweight and world numero uno DJ Armin van Buuren talks to 3D’s Elliot Shields about returning for We Love, and why volume is often the biggest inspiration.
You have been voted as the number one DJ in the world by the readers of DJ Mag two years in a row; is that somewhat of an inspiration for you to re-enter the studio-
I don’t think that is affiliated that much, the voting and inspiration, but I do get a lot of inspiration from playing out in clubs. When I hear certain records on a big system I feel like going back in to the studio straight away to make music!
The latest A State Of Trance CD is out soon, a pivotal series for most serious fans of the genre. What can your fans expect from you on this new release-
I have been collecting and holding back several tracks for months already for this years’ A State of Trance CD, plus especially for this compilation I have made a brand new track under my Gala guise!
Leading the world’s trance scene means you are often behind the decks for six hours or more. Noting that a lot of regular DJs would be in fear of such a long time behind the decks, do you look forward to them-
Yes! I love to play long sets! Last year, on my ‘Armin Only – Imagine’ tour, I played up to 10 hours straight! That way you can control and build a night from scratch. If I play a peak-time two-hour set I need to start quite banging already, but with longer sets I can play tracks I wouldn't normally play out. For example a nice slower progressive tune in the beginning of the night.
It’s been said you never use an audio engineer, letting no one touch your productions other than yourself. When you’re collaborating with vocalists or other musicians is it still as important to maintain your creative control-
When I am collaborating with someone I think it is important to create a sort of synergy, to make sure the creative environment is perfect to work in. That way, I think, is the best way to get the best out of the collaboration!
Which artists are you looking out for this year- Are there any new names you think have a lot of potential to be big, perhaps featuring on A State Of Trance-
That is such a hard question because there are so many great artists breaking through at the moment! I love the work of guys like Gareth Emery, Jerome Isma-Ae, Orjan Nilsen and Robert Nickson.
You’ve been booked for a series of festival dates across Australia, how do you think Australian crowds and DJs compare to the European trance scene-
It is really hard to compare the two scenes, since it is a world apart basically. I love Australia, and the passionate fans of trance there. That’s the main reason why I took the concept of ‘Armin Only – Imagine’ here as well last year, and I am really looking forward to come over to play in Australia.
WHO: Armin van Buuren
WHAT: A State Of Trance 2009 – Mixed by Armin van Buuren through
405 Recordings / Stomp / Plays We Love Sounds at the Hordern Pavilion
WHEN: Saturday 6 June
MORE: arminvanbuuren.com / welovesounds.com.au