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Joshua Van Aalst: Night of Nights
Uplifting trance is definitely back in favour with local punters, and as A Night Of Trance gets ready to celebrate two years of reaching for the lasers, 3D caught up with promoter, DJ and one of the genre’s must enthusiastic proponents, Joshua Van Aalst.
All styles of music go through almost predictable peaks and troughs in popularity, with trance currently reaching a definite peak. Do you think its popularity will continue for a while yet?
The popularity of a style of music depends a lot on who’s backing it. Breaks has Fuzzy, hardcore has Powerhouse. I believe trance - be it uplifting or hard - still has a while to go before it reaches its peak. It has gained some strong backers and we (Josh and Friends Presents) certainly will be pushing it further than ever before.
You’re obviously on to a winning formula with your own sets. What do you think sets your sets apart from those of other DJs?
Definitely the theatrics. There are very few Sydney DJs who continually reach out past the decks into the realms of live vocalists, musicians and synchronised visual effects.
You add extra elements to your sets such as vocalists and violinists. What else might we see added to your sets in the future?
I’d love to do a set with an entire Symphony Orchestra backing it! That would be phenomenal.
Everyone loves an anthem, but they can be over played. What do you think is the ideal ratio of anthems to newer material?
I believe the use or overuse of anthems depends greatly on the time slot of the set, the purpose of the event and the surrounding DJs. If the surrounding DJs are playing loads of newer material it can be a wonderful breath of fresh air to hear some of the old classics and anthems. At the end of the day people visit clubs to dance and although I can’t speak on everyone’s behalf, there is nothing I like more than dancing to my favourite tunes!
In fact one important job of the DJ is to seek out new material. How much time do you spend looking for new tracks? And how do you source new material?
Internet Radio streams like Digitally Imported (ww.di.fm) can be a great source of hot new tracks being played in other countries. Local stores like Central Station or One Stop also carry a great selection of trance. I listen to loads of other DJs play, be it at the clubs or on demos and often find new tracks in their sets.
We’ve just had a discussion here in the office about trance’s time and place with some of us enjoying working to it, others not. Do you listen to trance away from the dance floor?
Certainly I find it very work friendly. Trance is designed to build you up and make you feel fantastic, uplifted and renewed. It’s designed to take you on a wonderful emotive journey. What better way to work or play!
What other styles of music do you enjoy listening to?
I am a huge happy hardcore fan! Elements of happy hardcore such as the energy and use of female vocals often influence my own uplifting trance sets.
Two years of A Night Of Trance – how do you feel looking back at those two years?
Blown away! I never would have thought the event would have reached such recognition or acceptance in two years. The event has now been held at five clubs including major venues Space, ARQ and of course the much loved Icebox. It is the event you can rely on that will have the top uplifting DJs, be it internationals like The Thrillseekers or locals like Mark Dynamix and Jumping Jack. It is the event where you arrive knowing that you will be blown away by the production, music and up for it crowd. The event has gained recognition not only as the centre for uplifting trance but uplifting music in Sydney. It has been an honour to be a part of it and the people associated with it.
What is the single element of the night that gives you the most satisfaction?
A massive crowd reaching for the lasers in total ecstasy!
When the crowd is calling for one more tune, what will it be on the night?
Over the last two years there have been so many A Night Of Trance classics. So many wonderful memories, the final track would have to be one of the following: Jump The Next Train, Fly Away or Silence!
Catch Joshua Van Aalst alongside The Thrillseekers as A Night Of Trance celebrates its 2nd birthday at Space on Friday August 19
it cums with 'that' pic 
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