In a recent interview for Rave Jungle the king of Trance, Armin van Buuren answered some of your most compelling questions in a short interview before he was set to play at the second weekend of Tomorrowland‘s 2017 edition called ‘Amicorum Spectaculum‘
Armin van Buuren is one of the most successful DJs of all time. He has hit the DJ MAG‘s Top 100 DJs No.1 spot on a record five occasions !! (yeah you read that right). And despite being one of the busiest men in electronic dance music industry, was kind enough to sit and give an interview for our publication before his incredible performance at the Mainstage.
In this interview we learned about his passion for Trance music, why music is so important to life, his plans with GAIA, his residency at Hï Ibiza, his thoughts about the current EDM scene and many more.
What do you think about this year’s edition of Tomorrowland festival ?
Armin: I think this year’s edition of Tomorrowland festival is the biggest one yet, it’s incredible how much time and effort they’ve spent to make everything perfect. It’s really a next level festival, it’s not just a couple of stages with a few artists, but it become a cultural phenomenon, it’s almost like a piece of art. Tomorrowland is everything it’s a circus and lights show, it’s a theme park, a festival, definitely one of the best in the world.
You recently celebrated your 20th anniversary in the world of music. How do you manage to stay motivated over all these years ?
Armin: I think the most important thing is that you should not be thinking about what music should be, but you have to think what music could be. So i always look at possibilities that excite me, and as proud as i’m of my past successes and my past tracks, i always want to try new stuff, just like my tracks with Vini Vici, Sunnery James and Ryan Marciano, my new track ‘I Need You’ with Olaf Blackwood.
Yeah, at the first weekend of Tomorrowland we also heard a Hardstyle remix of your track with Vini Vici called ‘Great Spirit’. And at Electric Love festival you even brought Wildstylez on a stage with you. Does that mean we can expect from you a hardstyle tracks in the future or maybe even a Hardstyle EP ?
Armin: I don’t have anything planned right now, i like Hardstyle a lot and i’m a big fan of it but at the moment it’s just a little stepside for me, because i love the Hardstyle sound but it’s not my main sound. My main sound will always be Trance, but i like to experiment a little bit you know, i respect i have huge amount of respect for all my colleagues from other genres as well. I’m a big fan of Wildstylez, i’m a big fan of Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano, there’s a lot of artists i really admire.
Our fans want to know, when you gonna officially release your long awaited remix for Kensington’s track “Sorry” ?
Armin: It’s not up to me because i don’t own the rights, so it’s up to the record company of Kensington. At the moment they’ve decided they don’t want to release it, which i have to respect. If it was up to me i would already release it, but i have to respect the rights, Kensington are good friends of mine, and this is their decision. If you want this remix to be released you have to go to them.
What about GAIA ? You have only one scheduled performance this year at Dreamstate event in Southern California. Can we expect more appearances from GAIA in the future ?
Armin: Well, GAIA are super busy, i’m too busy touring but there will be news soon cause i’m working on a GAIA album right now.
And can we expect a only vinyl performance from the duo, just like you did on your Armin Only shows ?
Armin: Maybe, i know it was a big success, just like i did it at A State of Trance in Utrecht.
Did you prepared yourself for this set tonight in your “Man Cave” and what’s your favorite vinyl record from your collection ?
Armin: Haha, yes of course. My favorite vinyl record is M.I.K.E – Sunrise at Palamos, and in a couple of weeks at ‘A State of Trance’ i will do a vinyl only set. This is a scoop, nobody knows it yet !
Can you please tell us more about your summer residency at Hï Ibiza ?
Armin: Yeah, it’s really great. I’m super happy, i was a little bit scared because of course it’s a new club and it’s smaller than Ushuaia, but i think it’s going pretty well. Last Wednesday was super busy, and it’s very good that i have other artists with me as well. Sunnery James and Ryan Marciano are there too, they maybe have a different sound to combine with me but i think it works. If you want Trance, but for example your wife doesn’t, she can go to Sunnery James and Ryan Marciano and you could be at the main floor.
I want to try something different, because i’ve been a resident in Ibiza for fifteen years, i’ve played basically at all clubs except ‘Pacha’ and it was my dream to do something again but also for the next years, and i’m currently super happy at Hï Ibiza.
Do you think Trance music gets the attention it deserves ?
Armin: I like where Trance is now. You know it’s not the most popular sound in electronic music right now, but i think it’s a good thing. Because it has it’s fans and they’re super passionate, they’re the best fans in the world. And we don’t want to be overly commercial, you know i think where Trance is now i think it’s a good place.
What do you think about the latest trend, DJs wearing buckets and helmets on their heads, hiding their identity ?
Armin: I’m not the one to judge, for me it’s always been about the music, but i know sometimes personality is also a part of who you are as an artist. I respect artists that are doing other things on stage to draw attention. You know, if it rocks the crowd it rocks the crowd. I’m not a hater, i’m not here the one to judge anybody who’s doing something else besides playing music on stage. I’m just respectful i want to respect everybody, let every artist do their own thing.
I think it’s important in these times in the world to embrace each other differences rather than saying bad stuff about each other, or be negative, hating. There’s no point in hating, we are all different and you know there’s a reason why we are all different. Otherwise we wouldn’t find Einstein or Mozzart or Beethoven. It’s not possible for all to be the same, and i think one of the reasons why are we here at Tomorrowland festival is also to unite and to celebrate our differences.
What’s one thing you would change about the current EDM scene ?
Armin: I would remove all the abillity to comment on the social media. I think there’s no point in hating. I’m totally fine with somebody saying “I don’t like this” or “It’s not my thing” i understand that i respect that, but to bash somebody to be negative or to say “I hate you”, “I want to kill you” or that sort of stuff it’s not necessary. We should respect each others’ opinions, let’s respect each others’ skin color, different religions. I think that’s the most important thing, you know a better world starts with us, with you and me. People should just spread the love !
Check out Armin van Buuren ‘s set at Tomorrowland below !
