STREAMING AUDIO INTERVIEW

New York house don Armand Van Helden would be the first to tell you he makes music for the feet, not for the head. On his most recent album Ghettoblaster, he channels the street-level sound of the Big Apple in the late ‘80s, where “house meets freestyle meets hip-house meets club meets new wave.” It’s this unashamed desire to rock the party that has made the DJ-producer a huge hit down under.

We should count ourselves lucky, though – Van Helden is notoriously chilled when it comes to touring. He’s more than happy to go six weeks without stepping into a DJ booth, choosing instead to fiddle in the studio or just kick back. This attitude has done little to hurt his profile, testament to the man’s stature as a dance music mainstay.

Ahead of his national tour, he talks to ITM’s Jack Tregoning about his work ethic, the music he’s making and why Australia keeps drawing him back.

Armand Van Helden tour dates:

Friday 30 Nov – Family, Brisbane
Saturday 1 Dec (day) – Stereosonic Festival, Royal Melbourne Showgrounds
Saturday 1 Dec (night) – Ministry Of Sound Festival, Hordern Pavilion, Syd

Want a taste of the signature Armand style before he hits the country later this month? Check out the characterisitically over-the-top clip for his hit from this year NYC Beat.