When trance peaked in 1999, many thought it would only take a year or two for it to completely die off, yet the passion for the sound is still with us in a big way. With many of the world’s top 20 DJs still playing trance infused sounds, its no surprise that here in Australia, the love for this big room epic sound hasn’t died off either. Here in Sydney, A Night of Trance is held by people with a big passion for the sound and with regular and successful events throughout the past 3 years, Joshua Van Aalst, resident DJ and man behind the event as part of his ‘Josh And Friends Presents’ events and promotion company, speaks to ITM to catch up on the past 3 years of this event and to chat about that ever so popular uplifting trance sound.

What’s been the main motto behind your events and what keeps you all going?

Making people happy and providing people with a high quality unique experience. We always try to include a ‘wow’ factor in each of our events. Something that is different, something that people will walk away and talk to their friends about afterwards. Some wow factors include ridiculous decorations, theming, intense production, live acts, presents and giveaways, free entry and much much more.

What’s been the most memorable night for you in the past 3 years?

There’s been heaps! If I had to choose just one, probably the recent Neon Nation party, that was nuts. 450 people were clocked into ARQ before 11pm! Almost 1,000 came throughout the night and the decorations and decor were ridiculously intense. The shuffle dance off competition was packed to the rafters and of course there were plenty of standout performances from our DJs. It was definitely a party to remember.

Trance has definitely progressed since its peak in 1999, but what in the past 3 years have you noticed as the major change in both the sound and the scene itself?

The sound has certainly diversified. It is rare to hear that purist uplifting sound. Elements of tech, electro, house and even rock have all made their way into the 2006 trance sound. The scene has definitely gone heavily underground and the big trance parties like A Night of Trance are now few and far between. In 2005 we (JAFP) noticed that trance had become somewhat of a dirty word. It seems that the mainstream generation began to associate trance with gurning ravers, which is simply not the case. In 2006 the JAFP team has made it our mission to re-brand trance as sexy and that is a theme that has been reflected throughout our recent A Night of Trance events. The campaign has been met with resounding success and the event has been receiving the largest attendances on record.

Have you ever found it difficult holding regular trance nights in Sydney? It seems that whenever the Gatecrasher or Godskitchen names come into town, there is obviously massive support, but from previous attempts by other promoters and organisers it looks tough to keep a regular and healthy crowd for uplifting and melodic trance nights?

It certainly is. Uplifting trance works best in a big format with massive laser and light shows and 1000s of people with their hands in the air. This is something that is a challenge to turn out on a week to week basis. Generally scenes move in cycles. What’s underground now is mainstream tomorrow. As the current underground nature of trance gains popularity and the crowds are nurtured through support sites like www.joshandfriends.com.au and events like A Night of Trance, we’ll see demand for regular big trance events grow. I’d certainly like to see a return to a monthly rather than bi-monthly A Night of Trance event.

What can we expect from you guys in the future? Any big plans, short or long term?

In the short term we are working hard on releasing the 2nd A Night Of Trance CD called A Night of Trance ‘The Anthems’. It’s mixed by DJ Yoshi and is a compilation of the best Australian uplifting trance tracks. The team received around 200 submissions and had to choose just 20 tracks for the CD. The quality is absolutely superb and includes works by Steve Hill, Yoshi, P.E.G. E-Tek, Shadower, Oliver Leighs and many more. It is a fantastic compilation and truly represents the sounds of A Night of Trance. In the long term we are looking into some really big trance events. Hush hush on this for the moment though.

Finally, name 5 tracks were more than likely to hear on the night…

Plenty of big room classics including:

Paul Oakenfold – Southern Sun
Tiesto – Silence
Armin – Communication
IIO – Rapture
Carte Blanche – Veracocha

A Night of Trance’s 3rd Birthday happens this Friday the 22nd September at ARQ Nightclub. Entry is FREE before 11pm. Josh and Friends will also be bringing us on Saturday the 30th of September, Infinity feat. Dave Joy of Switzerland at GAS Nightclub. Check out ITM Whatson for more info.