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Push.. nail on head.
In 2001 when ASOT started, their wasn't the availability to check Tiesto or Ferry livesets every week, as they did not have a radioshow at the time. However, i'd definitely say they were more diverse throughout their careers. In '01 there was that whole "epic trance" backlash anyway, so most trance DJs were playing some prog/darker tracks at the time.
I also wouldn't base Armin's decline on Schulz influence. If anything that is the other way around, that Schulz' dark progressive tendencies are being dropped (at least live) in favour of teh tech-trance.
In 2003 people saw Tiesto become number 1 based on the back of large concert style gigs around the world, and this "big-room" sound of tech-trance mixed with mcprog; was then made "THE" direction for Armin and other copycat DJs to take, to try to emulate their peer.
As Tiesto found out, that road is littered with problems. Playing only stadium and concert sized gigs, requires the big sound. It requires the artist tracks and hardly any deeper material that could be considered as 'boring' to the 25'000 morons in front of the booth.
Damaging the fanbase, and the reputation of the DJ aside... it also encompasses something like a comfort zone.
The DJ doesnt get to read or see the criticism that fans direct at their "hero" as most of the time they are worshipped by either morons or arse lickers. Without any constructive critique of their debasement, how are they to know they've sunken to new lows by spinning only that cookie cutter shit. Protected by their own interim of managers, label honcho's and basic somebody's, the DJ can become very self focused and actually believe in what they're doing is something "good" for the scene. The flagship Armada, is even becoming as sub-label and image conscious as BHR before them...
ASOT continues to be a "target" for neo-producers spending their time on fruityloops and other software based music production programs, attempting to reach some kind of mass production Tyas style.
I'm sure that any of the big names could decide to spin quality over this trite, any time they like. Their fear of what it would do to their popularity is currently preventing them from doing so though. Too much of a good thing, and all that. Do you appease the 2500 strong nerd fanbase online, or the 200'000 first-timers that come to your show just because it is you.
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Tiesto Tracklist Archive - Independently Online
Last edited by MichaelBoogerd! on Oct-20-2007 at 13:37
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