Interview Armin van Buuren in Australia and New Zealand.
» As one of the younger DJs in the scene, how have you built up your success so rapidly besides your musical talent?
I don't know. It all started when I was still very young. I had a clear opinion of what music I liked and what not. I've just produced A LOT I guess to find my direction and I always tried to add something of my own. A lot of tranceproductions these days are too obvious copies of eachother. I've tried to take it one step further and tried to surprise people with just that unexpected record. These days, producer DJ's are more likely to be succesful. And it must have been a great deal of luck as well!
» Who is currently your favourite trance DJ?
None. I simply don't have time to listen to other DJ's sets.
» With many productions and remixes behind you, what's next on the drawing board?
Currently working on my first real solo album, this is no.1 priority. Soon, the first track of this album will be released: Armin van Buuren feat. Ray Wilson- Yet Another Day. My track Sunburn is doing really good as well at the moment, and people are picking up my
recent remixes as well.
» Your touring schedule seems very busy, when was the last time you got to go somewhere for a holiday of a week or more?
In June my girlfriend and I hung around for a week on Ibiza. That was really great. To be honest: I'd love it to take some time of now, as it's all just a little bit too hectic. In October I'll be doing an Australian tour and we'll hang around an extra week in Cairns to relax!
» What is your favourite club in the world?
This may sound a little obvious: I don't have a specific favorite club. I like all of them I play at
the moment. I'm just lucky to be at a level that I don't play any bad clubs anymore. Every club has something to look forward to: an amazing crowd, great soundsystem, nice lazers, stuff like that. There's one club I have a special bond with, that's the <O> in the hague. People travel all over the world to see my long solo sets there. The atmosphere is just fenomenal when I get to play there. But like I said, it's not a specific club I like better than others, I just have this special bond with the crowd.
» Can you tell us what a usual week for Armin van Burren consists of?
As I'm playing Ibiza every week this summer, my week looks different during the summer. June/July/August and September are the peak seasons for a DJ. But during winter, I'm in the studio from monday to wednesday (ideally), thursday is always record shopping day. Friday is studio day again, but usually only the mornings as I often have to play that night. Sunday I try to spend with my girlfriend and parents. We have nice dinners and all that.
» Do you see yourself still DJing and globe trotting in 10 years?
I don't know. I think I'm a family man, and at some point I want kids and settle down. But music has always driven me, and I couldn't live without it. I don't want to do stuff I don't like in this life. I have an almost finished law-degree, so I guess I'll be fine!
» Please tell us about your interest in Jean-Michel Jarre, and what is your favourite tune by him?
It all began with my dad who used to play his music a lot, along with that of Tomita, Klaus Schulze, Vangelis, those people. I guess I was influenced by that a lot. For me, JMJ was the first real tranceproducer. And a really good entertainer. He was one of the first to experiment with music in a different way. Back then, it wasn't normal to produce on a synthesizer. People saw the machine as something from hell. Computer music, that couldn't be the music of tomorrow?! He insisted in his belief, and look what he got back for it. Oxygene is one of the best synthesizer albums ever produced. It has so many warmth and emotions in it. I litterally takes you on a journey. I guess it just hit me somewhere, and I still get shivers listening to that album. Especially knowing that he made it with the primitive equipment that they had back then. A true genius.
» Do you have any advice for up and coming trance DJs?
Try to differ from everybody else, but think of the audience. You're an entertainer. Don't try to play extra cool music, just because it's cool. Coolness is what killed the progressive genre this year. The music is so damn cool, but it's so boring according to a lot of people that they don't dance to it. But it's still cool. Get my point? Oh yeah: and please make records. That's more important than you may think these days.
» What can Australian and New Zealand audiences expect from you when you head down-under for the Godskitchen tour?
Armin at his best. I love NZ and Australia, we've had a great time last year when I did a tour there. The vibe of the people is still fresh. I'll bring a lot of records, but I really want to play a lot of my own stuff as possible. If you've listened to my weekly radioshow in Holland on ID&T, you'll know what to expect.
» Have you heard of the new WorldDJ.com global online community and how do you use the internet yourself?
I haven't no. I do use Internet, but I don't go through all the chatboards anymore. I'll definitely be taking a look around the website though.
See you down under!
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