Was wondering if anyone had a decent translator for this or know if this was already translated somewhere else?
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Interview: Armin Van Buuren


Armin Van Buuren: Het boegbeeld van de trance-scéne!

Words: Hans Temmerman

Copyright: Rotationz (www.rotationz.be)

De carriere van ‘rising star’ Armin Van Buuren loopt nog steeds ontzettend goed. Een paar maand geleden zag zijn tweede artiesten album ‘Shivers’ het levenslicht en deze werd bekroond tot beste dance album van Nederland. In de felbegeerde ‘Dj Mag Top 100’ bleef hij ook dit jaar steken op een verdienstelijke 3e plaats, het ‘Armin Only’ feest in Rotterdam bracht in November 12.000 mensen op de been en binnenkort ligt zijn DVD in de winkel! Daarnaast viert Armin in 2006 het 5-jarig bestaan van zijn populaire radioshow ‘A State Of Trance’ (bijna toe aan aflevering 250), zijn jaarmix van 2005 ligt net in de winkel en zijn bedrijf Armada Music tekent de éne bom na de andere. Hebben wij eventjes geluk dat Armin ons tijdens die hectische periode te woord kan staan!


Armin, hoe heb je jezelf als dj & producer zien evolueren de afgelopen jaren?

Wel, ik denk dat ik in staat ben geweest om de druk van mezelf af te zetten, mensen hebben steeds hoge verwachtingen van mij maar ik ben toch dezelfde Armin gebleven net als toen ik destijds muziek begon te maken. Er is enkel meer aandacht, er zijn meer boekingen, mijn manager David Lewis hanteert iets hogere bedragen… dat spreekt voor zich. Je wordt natuurlijk wel wat volwassener qua muzieksmaak (is ook te horen op Shivers). Als muziek in je bloed zit gaat het er gewoonweg nooit meer uit! Ik ben het nog lang niet moe, ik ben pas 29 geworden…we’ve only just begun!

‘Armin, The Next Level’ vond plaats op 12 november in de Ahoy in Rotterdam, dit 9u lang voor het oog van 12000 mensen, hoe kijk je daar op terug?

Het was fantastisch, er zijn nog steeds woorden voor tekort! Voor veel mensen was het iets van “Armin gaat ook iets groots doen” maar ik doe natuurlijk al langer ‘Armin Only’ (sinds 2001) dat keer op keer succesvoller werd maar het was de eerste keer dat ik het op zo’n grote schaal deed. Er is een half jaar voorbereiding aan te pas gekomen… van sommige tracks moest ik nog een aantal remixes en instrumentale versies maken, met de drumband oefenen, gitarist Ray Wilson is overgevlogen om zijn act in te oefenen, Nadia Ali (IIO) is van New York naar hier gevlogen (waren we nog effe kwijt ook), het decor werd bedachtzaam ontworpen, er waren hectische interview dagen, de promotie …en de maand voor het evenement heb ik me gek gezocht naar een aantal specifieke platen om een perfecte set te kunnen neerzetten. Om helemaal zenuwachtig van te worden want ik had teveel vinyl in mijn koffers, na afloop had ik 93 platen gespeeld! Het was een soort kroon op mijn werk van de afgelopen jaren, da’s een feit! Armin Only verwijst wel naar mij maar het gaat hier hoofdzakleijk om de mensen; er heerst telkens een speciale sfeer, enkel de mensen die erbij waren kunnen dat perfect beamen denk ik. Het is gewoon magisch omdat de mensen voelen dat ze die avond uit hun dak zullen gaan en iedere keer is dat op een andere manier (is het nu op het Ocean Diva Ship of in de Ahoy of in Amnesia in Ibiza).
Het thema was water want Armada (Music) verwijst naar een 17e eeuwse onoverwinnelijke Spaanse vloot, dus de vorm van het podium was een soort schip.

Over boten gesproken, de feestjes op het Ocean Diva schip, gaan die in de toekomst ook door op andere locaties dan in Amsterdam?

Er is veel interesse vanuit het buitenland voor het concept ‘Armin Only’ maar ik wil er toch een beetje voorzichtig mee zijn want het zijn immers heel speciale feesten. Misschien komt de Ocean Diva wel eens naar Antwerpen want ik heb echt een zwak voor Belgie! Ik wil daarnaast wat meer clubs gaan doen in bvb Belgie (heel graag eens in La Rocca, fluisterde Armin ons), ik speelde reeds in de Versuz en dat was super! Ik klik gewoon met het Belgische publiek want het zijn echte tranceliefhebbers en ze zijn een heel dankbaar publiek vind ik.

Je bent iemand die heel bedreven en professioneel is, aan welke aspecten kan je je ergeren?

Ik erger me er geel en blauw aan dat sommige gewaardeerde collega dj’s amper een plaat deftig aan elkaar kunnen mixen en toch het predicaat van superster dj aangemeten krijgen. Blijkbaar gaat het eigenlijk niet om de dj kunsten… een set waarmee je het publiek aanspreekt heeft al lang niks meer te maken met de opbouw, platenkeuze of techniek want dat heb ik immers al veel gemerkt. Tijdens mijn radioshows ‘A State Of Trance’ kloppen mijn mixen volledig tonaal maar dat heeft niks te maken of je al of niet een goede dj bent en dat is wel’s een frustratie.

Jouw meest onvergetelijke momenten hebben soms iets gemeen met je radio avonturen.

De feesten in Beiroet en Dubai waren supercool! De mensen kwamen tot bij mij om hun ipods te signeren! Ze tapen natuurlijk mijn wekelijkse show A State Of Trance die te beluisteren is in meer dan 20 landen (wanneer komt dit nu eens op de Belgische radio). We hebben de trance te danken aan de Belgen en A.S.O.T. hoort hier thuis! De reacties komen echt van overal. Guatemale, Australie, Nieuw Zeeland, Singapore, Noorwegen, Belgie…. amper nog bij te houden! Ik doe het al 5 jaar iedere week en nog steeds gratis, dit puur om de mensen in contact te brengen met de nieuwe muziek. Het is geen ego show of een Armada show maar ik doe het om de mensen op de hoogte te houden van wat populair is en wordt in de scéne, het is heel leuk om te zien dat er een community is op het internet van mensen die de show downloaden en alles intens opvolgen, het is een vorm van cultuur geworden! Ik maak er geen geheim van welke platen ik draai want dat is mijn respect naar de producers toe want aan die mensen heb ik toch min of meer mijn populariteit te danken!

Afgelopen zomer heb je een super dj set neergezet in de Armada tent tijdens Dance Valley. Jouw platenfirma Armada Music drukt echt wel zijn stempel op de scéne tegenwoordig.

We zijn uiterst tevreden over 2005. Binnenkort zijn we met Armada terug te vinden op Trance Energy in Utrecht en we doen ook een aantal feestjes op kleinere locaties maar het is ons niet zozeer te doen om de commercie want dansmuziek hoort thuis in clubs, ik geloof niet in het woord concert maar wel in de term feest. Een concert draait om de artiest een feest om de mensen!

Je hebt ook samengewerkt met onze goede vriend M.I.K.E, hoe was die ervaring?

M.I.K.E. runt niet alleen zijn ‘Club Elite’ label bij ons maar is ook een ‘close friend’, alhoewel ik hem wat te weining zie, hij is natuurlijk ook druk bezig. Mike is iemand waar ik nog steeds tegen opkijk want hij heeft een hele hoop betekent voor de trance muziek dmv zijn eigen unieke sound! Andere Belgische producers die ik helemaal top vind zijn o.a Airwave / Lolo, Fred Baker, Dj Fire, Icone ….

Ben je het met me eens dat muziek geen product mag worden?

Ja maar dat is het helaas al… Clearchannel heeft bepaald wat wij mooi en niet mooi mogen vinden… ik wil hen niet afbreken, ik veel respect voor zo’n bedrijf dat vele grote artiesten kan plaatsen maar de radiostations spelen tegenwoordig op safe om de adverteerders tevreden te houden want het draait allemaal rond luistercijfers, doelgroepen en percentages. Wwaar is de passie voor de muziek gebleven, gaat het niet meer over welke plaat we zelf goed vinden? Daarom ben ik 5 jaar geleden gestart met ‘A State Of Trance’ want toen was er helemaal niks qua fatsoenlijke trance op de radio, nu hebben verschillende stations een show voor de trance-community en dat vind ik ook fantastisch, dat moet gewoon blijven doorgaan.

De nieuwe singel uit je laatste album ‘Shivers’ wordt ‘Who’s Watching’ met de vocals van Nadia Ali…

Was heel tof om te doen, je kent haar natuurlijk van IIO (Rapture, At The End). Ze scoorde een paar dikke hits en ik heb altijd naar haar opgekeken. Nadia is geen ochtendvogel om mee samen te werken (lacht) maar het was uitermate leuk om iets met haar te kunnen doen. In 3 uur tijd werd het nummer geschreven, het gaat over haar relatie met haar oude producer; een heel persoonlijk verhaal net als alle andere teksten die op ‘Shivers’ staan. Het wordt de 3 single uit mijn album die eerder wat meer housy klinkt dan de 2 vorige trance-getinte nummers ‘Shivers’ en ‘Serenity’ (met Jan Vayne, Sensation Anthem 2005) die de top 20 haalden in Nederland. Voor mij is ‘Who’s Watching’ een onmiskenbaar nummer waar je kippenvel van krijgt…


‘Shivers’ werd een paar maand geleden bekroond tot beste album tijdens de ‘Release Dance Awards’ in Nederland, de ultieme waardering voor jou?

Ja natuurlijk, kan ik weinig aan toevoegen, gaf me een voldaan gevoel! Er waren heel wat mensen die zeiden (positief dan) “dat had ik niet van jou verwacht”. Eigenlijk ben ik heel breed gegaan met dat album, het is niet volledig de doorsnee trance sound geworden die je van mij zou verwachten maar het zijn 12 nummers die sterk verschillen! Je kan het overal perfect beluisteren; in de auto, in de huiskamer, als je droevig bent, als je vrolijk bent…kortom, iets wat over 10 jaar nog ‘up to date’ zal klinken en daar ben ik best wel trots op. Het is een soort experiment geworden en geen formulemuziek want je moet immers de muziekstroming steeds laten evolueren vind ik. Een album maken met veel vocale tracks is toch heel moeilijk, je hoeft me dus ook niet te vragen met welke stem ik het liefst werk want een creatief gevecht wil ik met niemand aangaan (lacht), iedere stem waarmee ik al samengewerkt heb heeft zijn eigen capaciteiten. In Amerika zijn er al meer dan 20.000 exemplaren van ‘Shivers’ verkocht dus ik ben er heel blij mee.

Januari is tevens de maand waarin je ons laat kennismaken met de DVD rond jouw vette performance ‘Armin Only, The Next Level’…

Naast alle taferelen die zich afspeelden achter de dj booth en op het podium krijg je ook een blik achter de schermen, de extra’s zijn zelfs 3x zo lang als de ‘main features’, we hebben ook alle videoclips erop gezet die ik ooit gedaan heb en ook nog een aantal specials van o.a. het Ocean Diva Ship, 9uur video materiaal… dus als je de Dvd koopt krijg je echt waar voor je geld (lacht). Handig om op te zetten bij het ‘afteren’ met je vrienden, alles is zelfs afgemixt in 5.1 dus je kan via je Dolby Surround Systeem alles nog’s perfect herbeleven.

Op plaatsen waar je nog nooit eerder was zoals in het Midden Oosten staan ze je naam keihard te roepen wanneer je het podium betreed, wat voor een gevoel geeft dat?

Ik kan er maar niet aan wennen man! Natuurlijk besef ik wel dat ik populair ben en dat het goed gaat maar ik blijf wel die simpele boerenlul uit Nederland (lacht). Het is een eer maar ik ben natuurlijk niet anders dan jij of wie dan ook. Ik ben heel bewust van het feit dat de mensen die op me afkomen heel wat geld hebben neergeteld om er te kunnen bij zijn, wie ben ik dan om me zelf te gaan verheerlijken? De mensen komen voor een geweldige avond, het gaat me niet om mijn ego, het gaat om de mensen die ik een zalig gevoel wil geven na afloop wanneer ze naar huis gaan.
We hebben het idee dat daar in het Midden Oosten om de seconde geschoten wordt of dat je constant onder je raam moet gaan liggen omdat er anders granaatscherven op je afkomen… ik ben nu in Israel geweest, Jordanie, Beiroet, Dubai dit alles in een tijdstek van 3 maanden en het was allemaal fantastisch! Die mensen daar weten precies wat er leeft in de muziekwereld maar Beiroet was toch wel heel bizar, ze hadden het cd hoesje van mijn album ‘Shivers’ zo’n 100x gekopieerd en achter mij op het podium uitgehangen, er waren zo’n 6000 mensen in Libanon - die een week na mijn groot feest in Rotterdam - opnieuw mijn naam hardop stonden te roepen! Je zou denken een land van ellende dat in oorlog is met Syrie en waar er constant dreiging is van fundamentalisten, dat zal knallen bij momenten (negatief dan) maar voor mij was het daar één groot vrolijk feest met allemaal blije gezichten.

Is het moeilijk om je te associeren met een specifieke sound of ga je nog breder in de toekomst?

Ook al werd trance wel’s uitgekotst in het verleden… I’ll never dissrespect my roots! Trance heeft me grootgemaakt en daar blijf ik trouw aan maar ik denk dat er binnen de trance heel veel mogelijk is, trance heeft natuurlijk een beetje een slechte naam gekregen door de commerciele feesten en door mensen die er slecht over praten en het niet snappen … jammer, want voor mij is trance iets heel anders dan wat de grijze massa eronder verstaat. Trance is een gevoel en daarom noemde ik mijn radioshow ‘A State Of Trance’, het gaat over de ‘staat’ van trance die constant verdergroeit. De pers wil graag dingen in hokjes steken maar zo hoort het niet, we maken allemaal electronische muziek met de visie mensen te entertainen, waarom mekaars genre steeds afbreken?

Je bent met zoveel dingen bezig, kan je zelf nog volgen met hetgeen wat er zich rond jouw personage afspeeld?

Wel, het forum op mijn website wordt door 2 mensen / moderators op de voet gevolgd en die zorgen natuurlijk ook voor de nodige feedback van wat er reilt en zeilt, ze wissen heel weinig posts want we gaan op een eerlijke manier met de visie van de fans om. Het leuke is dat ik via verschillende mediakanalen zoals internet - en nu via jou - in contact sta met de fans en dat geeft de kans om redelijk onbevooroordeeld met de mensen te kunnen communiceren en da’s heel gaaf! De trance community is één grote familie, de mensen voelen zich op één of andere manier positief verbonden met elkaar.

Wie is voor jou dé producer bij uitstek van het afgelopen jaar?

Sander van Doorn! Hij heeft een vernieuwende sound gebracht die op het juiste moment kwam. Het is een aardige gozer die met zijn sound ook de progressive en de techtrance scene perfect weet te bekoren want hij klinkt universeel. Ik hoop juist dat hij het perfecte management gaat kiezen.

Als er eens een gaatje is om te relaxen wat doe je dan?

Vooral met de kat spelen die ik net van mijn vriendin heb gekregen (is te zien aan Armin zijn handen), daarnaast duiken wanneer ik op vakantie ben en ik ben tevens een verwoed dvd-kijker.

Misschien nog een allerlaatste woordje naar de Belgische fans toe?

Ik hoop ze heel snel te zien in een club! Het is één van het meest dankbare volkje geweest van de afgelopen jaren en ik vind dat Belgie trots mag zijn en meer respect mag krijgen omdat zij toch min of meer de uitvinders zijn van de trance en daarnaast vind ik Belgie een heel tof land!

uh... english please?

quote:

Originally posted by regulate uh... english please?

Like I said...

The carriere of ‘rising fixedly' Armin Van Neighbors walks still dreadfully good. A few month ago its second artists album saw ‘Shivers' the life family and these were rewarded till best dance album of the Netherlands. In the felbegeerde ‘Dj May Top 100' remained he also this year stick on a deserving 3e place, the ‘Armin Only celebration in Rotterdam brought in November 12,000 men on the bone and shortly lies its DVD in the store! Furthermore Armin in 2006 celebrates lies draws bang the 5-birthday existence of its popular radio show ‘A State Or Trance' (almost closed at episode 250), its jaarmix of 2005 just in the store and its business Armada Music the éne after the others. We have succeed can stand just that Armin us during that hectische period to word!

Have Armin, how you want to see evolve yourself as a dj & the past years?

Well, I think that I in state am been the pressure of myself finished to set, men have always high expectations of me only I am really the same Armin remained neat as then I at that time music began to make. There is be handles speaks only more attention, there more book, my manager David Lewis something higher amounts… that for self. You become naturally well what adult as for music taste (also is to be heard on Shivers). As a music in your blood stretch, it do never goes it downright more out! I am am level 29 become it yet long not tired, I…we' ve only just begun!

‘Armin, The Next Level' found again place on 12 November in the Ahoy in Rotterdam, this 9u long for the eye of 12000 men, how look them to me you that on?

It was fantastic, there its still words for deficiency! For many men was the something of “Armin goes also something in a grand way do” only I do naturally already longer ‘Armin Only' (since 2001) that turn on turn more successful became but it was the first time that I it on such large scale did., . There is a half year preparation come must at too just… of some tracks I yet a number remixes and instrumentale versions make, exercise with the drumband, gitarist Ray Wilson has been flown over to exercise its act in, Nadia Ali (IIO) has been flown were designed by New York to here (were we yet level rid also), the scenery cautious, there were hectische want to summon, the promotion …and the month for it Event have joke sought put down I me to can a perfect set to a number of specific flats. Totally nervous from becoming for had had played I surplus vinyl in my cases, after result I 93 flat! It was a kind crown on my work of the past years, da's a fact! Armin Only refers goes well to me only it for this reason hoofdzakleijk the men; there each time a special atmosphere rules perfectly endorse think, only the men that can were included that I. It is normally magic because the men feel that they that evening from their roof will go and every turn is that on someone else manner (is it now on the Ocean Diva Ship or in the Ahoy or in Amnesia in Ibiza). The theme was water for refers was a kind of ship Armada (Music) to a 17e century invincible Spanish fleet, thus the form of the stage.

Spoken over bluntly, go the celebrations on the Ocean Diva ship, that also through on other locations then in Amsterdam in the future?

There is many interest want to be from the foreign country for the draft ‘Armin Only' only I there really a little bit carefully with for the being after all quite special celebrations. Perhaps the Ocean Diva comes to Antwerp once in a while for I have really a weak for Belgie! I want to go do played was super beside it a little more clubs in bvb Belgie (quite gladly once in Drawer Rocca, whispered Armin us), I already in the Versuz and that! I click usual with the Belgian public for the being real trance lover and they are a quite grateful public find I.

You are someone that quite committed and professional are, at which aspects can you you irritate?

I more awful me it yellow and blue at that some valued colleagues dj's scarcely a plate properly at each other can mix and really the predicaat of superster dj taken measurements for get. Apparently goes the actual not round the dj arts… a set with which you the public speak to has already long nothing more to make with the structure, flat choice or technique for that have I after all already much noticed. During my radio show ‘A State Or Trance' knock my mix complete tonaal only that has nothing to make or are you whether or not a good dj and is well a frustration that.

Your mostly unforgettable moments have sometimes something nastily with your radio adventures.

The celebrations in Beirut and Dubai were supercool! The men came to sign till with me their ipods! They tapes naturally my weekly show A State Or Trance that to listen to is in more than 20 countries (when comes this now once on the Belgian radio). We have to thank the trance at the Belgians and A. S. O. T. hears here home! The reactions come marriage from everywhere. Guatemale, Australie, New Zeeland, Singapore, Norway, Belgie…. scarcely yet by to hold! I do the for 5 year every week and still free of charge, this gather to bring the men in contact with the new music. It is no ego show or an Armada show but I do it the men on the height to love a little popularly is and becomes in the scéne, it is quite amusing to see that there a community is on the internet of men, that the shows download and everything intensely follow, it is a form of culture become! I make there no secret of which flatten I turn for that am my respect to the producers closed for at that men have I really mean or more my popularity to thank!

Past summer you have a super dj set neergezet in the Armada tent during Dance Valley. Your flat firm Armada Music presses truly its stamp on the scéne these days.

We are extremely satisfied over 2005. Shortly we are not not to find with Armada back on Trance Energy in Utrecht and we do also a number of celebrations on smaller locations only it is us so much to do round the commerce for dance music hears believe home in clubs, I in the word concert only well in the term celebration. A concert turns the artist a celebration the men!

You have also worked together with our good friend M. I. K. E, how was that experience?

M. I. K. E. runt not only are ‘Club Elite label with us only is also a ‘close friend', although I see him what to weining, he is naturally also busily busy. Loaf is someone where I still against look up for he has a whole hope means for the trance music dmv its own unique sound! Other Belgian producers, that I find its o. a Airwave / Lolo totally top, Fred Baker, Dj Fire, Icon ….

Are you may become it with me as soon as music no product?

Yes but that is it unfortunately already… Clearchannel has fixed what we beautiful and not well may find… I want them do not break, I a lot of respect for such business that many large artists can place but the radio stations play present on safe the advertisers satisfied to hold for it turns all around splendor figures, target groups and percentages. Wwaar is the passion for the music remained, goes it no longer over which plates we self good find? Therefore I ago have been started had to have find must remain continue 5 year with ‘A State Or Trance' for then there totally nothing as for decent trance on the radio, now different stations a show for the trance-community and that I also fantastic, that usual.

The new canal from your last album ‘Shivers' becomes ‘Who's Watching' with the vocals of Nadia Ali…

Was quite terrific to do, know you her naturally of IIO (Rapture, Ate The End). She scored provoke a few dikke and looked up I always to her. Nadia is no morning bird to work (laughs) were to be can do with together only it extremely nicely something with her. In 3 hour time, the number was written, goes produce it over her relation with her old; a quite personal story neat as all other texts that on ‘Shivers stand'. It becomes the 3 single from my album that before a little more housy sounds then the 2 previous trance-tinted numbers ‘Shivers' and ‘Serenity' (with Jan Vayne, Sensation Anthem 2005) that the top 20 got in the Netherlands. For me is ‘Who's Watching' an unmistakable number which your goose bumps of gets…

Did ‘Shivers' become a few month ago rewarded till best album during the ‘Release Dance Awards' in the Netherlands, the ultimate appreciation for you?

Yes natural, I want to add little, gave me a satisfied feeling! There were a lot of men that said (positively then) “that had I not of you expected”. Actual am I quite broadly gone with that album, it is not complete the section trance sound become that you of me would expect but it its 12 numbers that strengthen differences! You can the everywhere perfectly listen to; in the car, in the living room, if you sad are, if you cheerful are…in short, something 10 year from now yet ‘plain fizzy drink to that' will sound and on that am I best well in spite of on. It is a kind of experiment become and must let evolve find no formula music for you after all the music current always I. An album make with many vocale tracks is really quite difficult, you need myself thus also not to ask with which voice I the eager work for a creative fight want I with nobody enter into (laughs), each vote with which I already worked together have has its own capacities. In America are there already more than 20,000 specimens of ‘Shivers' sold thus I am with it quite glad., .

January is also the month in which you us let get acquainted with the DVD around your fat performance ‘Armin Only, The Next Level'…

Next to all scenes that self played behind the dj booth and on the stage get you also a look behind the screens, the extra its even 3x as long as the ‘main features', we have also all videoclips on it gezet that I ever done have and also yet a number of specials of o. a. the Ocean Diva Ship, 9uur video material… thus as you the Dvd buys get you really where Your money (laughs). Skilfully on to set by the ‘afteren' with your friends, everything is even afgemixt in 5.1 thus you can via your Dolby Surround System everything yet perfect herbeleven.

On places where you yet never before was as in the Middle East stand they your name hard to call when you the stage entered, what kind of a feeling gives that?

I cannot there but at get used man! Naturally realize I well that I popularly am and that the good go but I remain well that simple boerenlul from the Netherlands (laughs). It is a before only I am naturally not differently than you or anyone. I am quite conscious of the fact that the men that on me come down a lot want to have neergeteld there by can be, who am I then me self to go glorify? The men come for a tremendous evening, it goes me not round my ego, it goes round the men that I a glorious feeling want to give after result when they to house go.
We have the idea, that about that in the Middle East round the second shot becomes, whether you constant below your window must go lie because it otherwise grenade fragments on you come down… I am now in Israel been, Jordanie, Beirut, Dubai this everything in a time cutting of 3 months and it was all fantastic! That men that know lives was had precisely what there in the music world only Beirut surely quite bizarre, they the cd cover of my album ‘Shivers' such 100x gekopieerd and behind me on the stage hung out, there were about 6000 men stood in Lebanon - that a week to my large celebration in Rotterdam - again my name aloud to call! You would think a country of misery that in war is with Syrie and where it constant threat is of fundamentalisten, that will bang by moments (negative then) only for me was the that one large cheerful celebration with all blije faces.

Is the with difficulty round you to associeren with a specific sound or go you yet more broadly in the future?

In such a way trance was thrown up well in it lately… I' ll never dissrespect my roots! Trance has me grootgemaakt and there remain I get married at only I think that there within the trance whole much possible is, trance have naturally a little bit a bad name gotten through the commercial celebrations and through men that it badly over talk and it do not get … misery, for for me is trance something whole differently than what the grey mass below it understands., . Trance is a feeling and therefore named I my radio show ‘A State Or Trance', it goes over the ‘state' of trance that constant verdergroeit. Do the press not want to compete stick hears make gladly it in shacks only so, we all electronic music with the view men to entertainen about which mekaars genres break always?

You are with so much things busy, can you self yet follow with what what there self around your person afspeeld?

Well, the forum on my website becomes by 2 men / moderators on the foot followed and see to that naturally also for the necessary feedback of what it reilt and sails, wipe go they quite little posts for we on a honest manner with the view of the fans. The amusing is that I via different media channels as internet - and now via you - in contact stand with the fans and that gives the chance reasonably with an open mind with the men can communicate and da's quite intact! The trance community is one large family, feel the men self on one or other manner positive agreements with each other.

Who is for you dé produce pre-eminently of the past year?

Sander of Thorn! He has a renewing sound brought that on the right moment came. It is a nice gozer that with its sound also the progressive and the techtrance scene perfect knowledge to cups for he sounds universal. I hope just that he the perfect management will choose.

Is if about it once a hole to be relaxed what do you then?

Especially with the cat play, that I just by my friend got, (is to be seen at Armin are hands), beside it dive when I on holiday am and I am also a fierce dvd-viewer.

Perhaps yet a very last word to the Belgian fans to?

I hope to see they quite fast in a club! It is one of the mostly grateful people been of the past years and I find that Belgie in spite of may be and more respect may get because they really mean or more the inventors its of the trance and furthermore find I Belgie a quite terrific country!

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You gotta love them online translations LOL

quote:

Originally posted by Purple Armin Van Neighbors

Been laughing 5 minutes straight now.

edit: I've read it now, he's class. Respect from Belgium!

Last edited by Belgian Bonzai on Dec-28-2005 at 17:43

Thanks for the... um... translation.

Last edited by DOOMBOT on Dec-28-2005 at 22:36

and watch our for new producing superhero!!

Sander of Thorn!!


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Someone at the official AvB forums translated it! Thank you!
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Interview: Armin van Buuren

Armin van Buuren: The epitomy of the trance scene

Words: Hans Temmerman, translation by Mudokon

Copyright: Rotationz (www.rotationz.be)

The carreer of ‘rising star’ Armin van Buuren is still going very strong. A few months ago his second artist album ‘Shivers’ saw the light of day and was crowned best dance album in the Netherlands. In the prestigious ‘DJ Mag Top 100’ he stuck to the creditable third place, 12,000 people came to see his ‘Armin Only’ event in Rotterdam and his DVD will be released shortly! On top of that he will celebrate the fifth anniversary of his popular radio show ‘A state of trance’ (almost at episode 250), his year mix of 2005 has just hit the stores and his label Armada signs gem after gem. Aren’t we lucky that Armin has the time for a word or two for us during this hectic period.

Armin, how would you describe your evolution as a DJ and producer the last couple of years?

Well, I think I have been able to release some pressure, people still have high expectations of me, but I have always been the same Armin ever since I started making music back in the day. There is more attention, there are more gigs, my manager David Lewis deals in higher amounts… That figures. Your taste in music matures (which can be heard on Shivers). When you have music in your blood, it won’t get out! I’m not tired, not by a long shot, I’ve just turned 29… We’ve only just begun!

‘Armin, The Next Level’ took place on November 12th in Ahoy, Rotterdam, 9 hours watched by 12,000 people, how do you look back at that?

It was fantastic, I still can’t find the words to describe it! A lot of people figured ‘Armin is going to do something big as well’, but I have been doing ‘Armin Only’s’ since 2001 and they have all been successful. This has been the first on a scale this big though. It took six months of preparation… I had to make a couple of remixes and instrumental versions of some tracks, I had to practice with the drum band, guitarist Ray Wilson had to fly in to practice his act, Nadia Ali (IIO) flew in from New York (we even lost her for a minute), the props were designed thoroughly, I had a lot of hectic days giving interviews and of course we had promotion of all this… During the month before the event, I have been searching for specific records to deliver a perfect set. This made me nervous, I had too much vinyl in my bags. In the end I had played 93 tracks! It was the crowning glory after all these years of work and that’s a fact! Armin Only refers to me, but it’s primarily about the people; there is always a special vibe. Only the people who are there can acknowledge this perfectly, I reckon. It is just magical, because people feel they will be going out of their minds and they will do so in a different way each time (whether it is on the Ocean Diva ship or in Ahoy or in Amnesia in Ibiza).

The theme was water, because Armada (Music) refers to a 17th century invincible Spanish fleet, so the shape of the stage was the hull of a ship.

Speaking of ships; the parties on the Ocean Diva ship, will they take place on other locations than Amsterdam?

There is a lot of interest in the concept ‘Armin Only’ abroad, but I want to be a bit cautious about it, since these are very special events. Maybe Ocean Diva will sail to Antwerp one day, because I have a weakness for Belgium! I want to do more gigs in clubs there (Armin whispered La Rocca). I played in the Versuz and that was super! I make a click with the Belgian people, because they really love trance and I think they are very grateful.

You are very driven and professional; which aspects annoy you?

I am annoyed by the fact that some celibrated fellow DJ’s can barely mix, but still get to be called ‘a superstar’. Apparently it’s not about the art of DJ-ing… I have noticed on more than one occasion that a set which grabs the people doesn’t have to consist of a good build-up, choice of records or skills anymore. My mixes of ‘A state of trance’ are all mixed tonally, but that has nothing to do with being a good DJ already or not. This can be kind of frustrating.

Your most unforgettable moments sometimes have something in common with your radio escapades.

The parties in Beirut and Dubai were supercool! The people came up to me to let me sign their iPods! Each week, they tape my show which is broadcast in over 20 countries (so when will Belgium be next?) We owe trance to the Belgians and ASOT belongs here! The reactions come from everywhere. Guatemala, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Norway, Belgium… I can barely keep up! I’m doing this for almost 5 years now and I’m doing it for free, just to let people know about new music. This is not an ego show or an Armada show, but I’m doing it to keep people up to speed from what is popular at the moment or in the near future. It is very nice to see that there is a community on the internet of people who download the show and follow it all intensely. It has developed into some sort of culture! I’m not all secretive about the tracks I play, because this is my respect to the producers. I do owe my popularity to these guys to a certain extent.

Last summer you delivered a super DJ set in the Armada tent at Dance Valley. Your label Armada Music really leaves its mark on the scene nowadays.

We are very satisfied with 2005. We will be on Trance Energy with Armada shortly and we will do some parties at smaller locations, but it has nothing to do with commerce for us, because dance music is supposed to be in clubs. I do not believe in the term concert, but I do believe in the term party. A concert is about the artist, a party is about the people!

You have worked with our good friend M.I.K.E., how was that experience?

M.I.K.E. does not only run his ‘Club Elite’ label with us, but he is a close friend as well, although I don’t get to see him often, since he is very busy as well. Mike is someone to whom I still look up to, because he has meant a great deal for dance music because of his unique sound! Other Belgian producers who are great in my book are Airwave/Lolo, Fred Baker, DJ Fire, Icone…

Would you agree that music should not be called a product?

Yes, but unfortunately it already is… Clearchannel has determined what we are allowed to like and what we are not allowed to like. I don’t want to kick their shins; I respect a company which can handle such great artists, but radio stations take the safe route in order to satisfy their advertisers. Music is about listening figures, target audiences and percentages. Where is the passion for the music? Doesn’t it concern tracks we individually like? That is the reason why I started ‘A state of trance’, because at that moment no radio station played decent trance music. Now different stations have a show for the trance community and I think that is fantastic, it should continue like that.

The newest single from your last album ‘Shivers’ is ‘Who’s watching’ with vocals by Nadia Ali…

It has been a thrill to do this, you know her from IIO (Rapture, At the End). She scored a couple of big hits and I have always looked up to her. Nadia is not an early bird to work with (smiles), but it has been great working on things with her. We wrote this song in 3 hours, it’s about her relationship with her old producer, a very personal story just like the other lyrics on ‘Shivers’. It will be the third single from my album which sounds housier than the previous two trance oriented tracks ‘Shivers’ and ‘Serenity’ (with Jan Vayne, Sensation Anthem 2005) which made it into the top 20 in Holland. To me ‘Who’s Watching’ is an indisputable track which gives you ‘shivers’.

‘Shivers’ was crowned the best album at the ‘Release Dance Awards’ in Holland, the ultimate recognition for you?

Yes of course, I can’t add more to that, it has given me a feeling of satisfaction! There were a lot of people who told me that they did not expect this from me (in a positive way). I have widened myself making this album; it has not become regular trance, which people would have expected from me, but 12 tracks that differ enormously from each other! You can listen to it perfectly everywhere; in your car, in your living room, when you’re sad, when you’re happy… In short, something that will still sound fresh in 10 years and I’m proud of it. It has turned into an experiment and not formulaic music. You’ll have to let the music movement evolve in my opinion. Producing an album with a lot of vocal tracks is very difficult. Don’t ask me which voice I want to work with the most, because I don’t want to engage in a creative fight with anyone (smiles). Every voice I have worked with has its own capacities. Shivers has sold over 20,000 copies in America already, so I’m very glad with that!

January is the month in which you will introduce us to the DVD regarding your phat performance ‘Armin Only, The Next Level’

We will show you what happened behind the DJ booth and on stage, as well as a glance back stage. The extras are even three times as long as the main features. We have included every single video I have ever done and it includes a few specials of the Ocean Diva Ship, 9 hours of material… So if you purchase the DVD, you’ll be getting your money’s worth (smiles). It suits chilling out at your friends’ place. Everything has been mixed 5.1 so with a dolby surround setup you can relive those moments perfectly.

People shout your name, even in places you have never set foot in. What does that do with you?

I can’t get used to it, man! Of course I realize that I’m popular and that I’m doing well, but I’m still a regular old Joe from Holland (smiles). It is an honour, but I’m not at all different from you or whoever. I’m very aware of the fact that people who come to see me have paid a lot of money to be there, so who am I to worship myself? People come to get a perfect night out, it’s not about my ego, it’s about the people who I give a nice feeling when they go home afterwards.

We think that each second a shot is fired in the Middle East and we have to take cover to avoid shrapnel. I have been to Israel, Jordan, Beirut and Dubai within the last 3 months and it has been great each time! Those people over there know exactly what goes on in the music business, but Beirut has been to most bizarre though. They had photocopied the cover of my album ‘Shivers’, enlarged it by a factor 100 and suspended it behind me on stage. There were about 6,000 people in Lebanon (the week after my big event in Rotterdam) chanting my name again! You would think that a country dipped in misery, at war with Syria, where fundamentalists are a constant threat, can explode at any moment. But to me it was one big happy event with smiling faces everywhere.

Will it be difficult for you to associate yourself with a specific sound or are you going to widen yourself even further in the future?

Trance has been spit on in the past… I’ll never disrespect my roots! Trance has made me big and I’ll stay loyal to it, but I think there are a lot of possibilities within trance. Trance has got a negative name due to the commercial parties and people who talk badly about it because they just don’t get it… Too bad, because trance to me is something completely different from what the ordinary mass thinks it is. Trance is a feeling and that’s why I call my show ‘A state of Trance’; it’s about the state of trance which keeps on growing. The press wants to categorise styles, but that’s not supposed to happen. We all make electronic music in order to entertain people, why would we spit on each other’s style?

You are doing a lot of things at the moment, are you able to keep up with all that’s going on around your persona?

Well, the forum on my website is moderated by 2 people. They give a lot of feedback of what is going on. They rarely delete posts, because fans treat each other’s views fairly. It’s pretty funny that I’m in contact with my fans through different channels, like internet and with you, the interviewer. This offers me the chance to communicate with the people in an unprejudiced fashion and that is awesome! The trance community is one big family; somehow they feel positively connected with each other.

Who is the undisputed producer of 2005?

Sander van Doorn! He has delivered a new sound at exactly the right moment. He is a nice guy who knows how to bring his sound into the techhouse and progressive scene as well, because his sound is universal. I really hope he will sign with the perfect management.

When there is a little space in the agenda to relax, what would you do?

I play with my cat which my girlfriend gave me (you can tell by Armin’s hands). Furthermore: scuba diving when I’m on vacation and I’m an avid fan of watching DVD’s.

Perhaps a little last word for the fans from Belgium?

I hope to see them in a club soon! They been one of the most grateful audiences the last couple of years and I think Belgium should be proud and get more respect. They are in a way the inventors of trance and on top of that, I love Belgium as a country.

I cant believe I just read the poorly translated version before scrolling down and finding the proper one!!

quote:

Originally posted by mrmonkey I cant believe I just read the poorly translated version before scrolling down and finding the proper one!!

Great interview

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Best Tune Ever
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Best 2006 Tune
Carl B Featuring Breaking Benjamin - Diary Of Jane (Sean Tyas Rework)

that was an awesome interview. i dont know where people get off calling armin a shitty DJ to me he is one of the best.

yeah, i know ill get flamed.. dinks!

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