That’s a question we popped during our online and radio interview with the King of Trance, the Dutch Master Armin van Buuren.
Armin replies, “Passion is what drives me every day. I couldn’t imagine that one day I would be the number one DJ in the world since I started 10 years ago. But I guess I keep doing what I love to do, making music, playing tracks, and my own radio show, A State of Trance.
“It’s very tempting to be on the top, you can easily ask for more fees, you can fly, eat drink and every thing in First Class. But this is not the way I look at my music. Again, my passion is what drives me to work hard every day and want to reach more people, more listeners to my radio show, and come over and play for them,” says Van Buuren.
Who is Armin van Buuren? For those of you who know the name, or for the benefit of those who’ve never heard of him, he has been named the number one deejay in the prestigious DJ Top 100 three times in a row — in 2007, 2008 and 2009 — as judged by over 385,000 voting listeners across the world.
Armin picked up his passion for music at a young age. Born in Holland in 1976, he was a kid who spent all his money on records; from making a low-profile mix tapes for friends to discovering more high-profile computer programs, he learned the tricks of the trade and started creating his own music.
At the time, deejaying wasn’t so lucrative so the kid from the block started focusing on his studies, hoping for a law degree. His final year of his course was inevitably stretched as he juggled his studies with an increasingly hectic schedule; his DJ production started to increase as well, playing to packed clubs every weekend. It took him three years to graduate but his determination made him succeed with a great degree. That’s right: say hello to Attorney Armin.
The music is what means most to Armin, though. A perfect example is that, given his determination to grow the audience for his weekly two-hour radio show A State of Trance to more than 28 million EDM (Electronic Dance Music) lovers, he continues to deliver to his fans a great selection of the best in trance and progressive, no matter how busy he is, making sure the show goes on every week over 38 countries worldwide. His CD compilations released every year have won several awards and continue to lead trance fans in the right direction with awesome, fresh and exclusive tracks.
The best show in the world “Armin Only” sold-out shows in 2005 and 2006 created an eager anticipation of the third edition which kicked off a sold-out stadium in Holland where more than 35,000 fans attended and enjoyed his nine-hour set. “Imagine” was the theme of that night: a celebration of people’s sensory lives, both in life and in club land.
Armada records based in Amsterdam was created back in 2004 by Armin himself together with David lewis and Maykel Piron, where they started releasing tracks by some of the biggest names in trance, progressive and house music plus playing several nights at various clubs around the country. Now with 25 resident DJs under one umbrella and over 1,700 releases, they are definitely working hard and after five years, they still feel passionate about top-quality music.
What else can you say about passion? A record label, the best radio show in the world, and the number one DJ in the world. It must feel great to be on top, but Armin believes life is never about acquiring; it’s about giving — giving back what you have earned to the people who supported you, and who stood by you through your journey.
Playing to a crowd of 35,000 or more is an awesome feeling — waves of people moving around, hands in the air and everyone dancing to one beat. This is a dream that we always long for here in the Philippines, to make this destination the ultimate clubbing experience in Southeast Asia. Yes, we have what it takes; we’ve got the best clubbers in the world, the warmest people on earth, the best, most hospitable environments, and foremost of all, the passion for dance music. Let us push the boundaries and raise the bar to a higher level and let us show the world what Filipinos can deliver.
Join us on Dec. 10 at the World Trade Center as Armin van Buuren will be making his way to perform live together with Glenn Morisson and Johboy lee. You want to witness this amazing DJ and fly with his surreal tunes, then make sure you get your tickets early just call the Big Fish office at 632-7762 / 634-8238 or log on to www.bigfishmanila.com.
We work hard, we party even harder!
* * *
For comment and suggestion feel free to e-mail me at rickydaker@gmail.com.