Armin van Buuren, the world’s number-one global DJ, international music icon, and a pioneer for trance music, has a passion for music that seems to be unmatched as he continues to conquer the dance music industry and seamlessly unites listeners through his flawless productions and cutting edge live shows. This year has been good to van Buuren and his followers. As van Buuren puts it, “Twenty-twelve was, I think, my best year yet.” It’s hard to argue with the humble Dutchman. This year, van Buuren was voted world’s number-one DJ by the readers of DJ Magazine (for the unprecedented fifth time) and received the International Dance Music Award (IDMA) for “Best Global DJ,” all the while producing dancefloor killers such as, “We Are Here to Make Some Noise,” and, “I’ll Listen.”
Even more impressive is that in the midst of a crazy tour schedule and being in and out of the studio, van Buuren finds time to deliver a weekly radio show, A State Of Trance (ASOT), boasting 20 million listeners worldwide. He adds a unique twist to his radio show, bringing it to life by hosting ASOT live events around the world, making stops in several cities. This year’s ASOT “The Expedition” is podcast number 600 celebrating 12 years of the radio show and making stops in places such as Mexico City, Beirut, Den Bosch, and New York City, along with seven other cities.
We sat down with van Buuren on New Year’s Eve to pick his brain on topics ranging from the recipe for a special night to the unmatched rise of electronic dance music (EDM) in America. The passion that ignited van Buuren’s journey to stardom and forever connected countless listeners landed him in The Big Apple on the last day of 2012, looking forward to 2013.
BB: How does it feel to wrap up the year in New York City?
AVB: Well, there is a special connection between Holland and New York, because, you know, this place used to be called New Amsterdam, and now it’s called New York. I think Dutch people in general like New York, so being here is sort of a dream come true. I’ve always wanted to play New York City on New Year’s Eve. It’s very special, so, yeah, I’m excited about it. Having said that, 2012 was, I think, my best year yet. I got my crown back as the number-one DJ by DJ Magazine, I won the IDMA Award, Best Global DJ, but I don’t wake up thinking, ‘How can I be the best DJ in the world?’ That’s not what I do. I wake up being excited about a certain song, or being excited about going into the studio, or being excited to play indoors with certain DJs. This year, particularly, I produced a lot of music. I did a lot of remixes. I did quite a few one-offs, like a track called, “We Are Here to Make Some Noise,” that did really well. Basically, this year I’ve been spending a lot of time producing tracks for my new artist’s album that’s going to come out in 2013. I can’t share information about it yet, but I’m very excited.
BB: I know you have some favorite cities and clubs to play, and I’m interested in what draws you to those clubs? Is there a certain element?
AVB: It’s all about the vibe for me. I don’t try to be politically correct by avoiding that question. If there would be a favorite city of mine, then I would obviously answer it. I mean, I’m not trying to be politically correct and not piss off other fans by saying, ‘Oh, New York is the best city or L.A. is the best city.’ It’s just a thing called vibe, and as there have been many clubs I’ve played like 20 times and two or three times were extra special. It’s all about that. It’s about a certain vibe, a sort of magical atmosphere that you cannot really create. You can create the circumstances for it, but the people have to make that atmosphere. A couple of months ago I played Guvernment in Toronto, for example, and I’ve played there many times, but this time there was something special about the night. I played a four-hour set and the crowd was just so amazing. There’s something in the air, you know? At the end of the night, I grabbed the microphone and I told the crowd, ‘This is why I fucking DJ!’ It’ so true. That is something that you’re looking for, and when it happens, you don’t think about how much money you’re going to make on a gig or how many fans are going to vote for you in DJ Magazine, or how many records you’re going to sell. You just think, ‘Wow, this is an amazing atmosphere. I’m having the best time.’ It’s like spending a great time with your friends. Sometimes you have these magical nights. They sort of appear out of nowhere. You’re in a bar and your friend comes over, and he brings a friend, then you happen to click with that person and you just end up drinking a lot, having so much fun. You know, the best nights always come unplanned.
