STREAMING AUDIO INTERVIEW

Who could have predicted back in 1996, when a 19-year old Dutchman named Armin van Buuren released his debut single Blue Fear, that he’d go onto become one of the most powerful and influential figures working in electronic music? In 2009, this is exactly where the captain of the Armada finds himself – as the world’s #1 DJ, head of one of dance music’s most successful record labels, the host of the A State of Trance radio show that draws more than 30 million listeners every week; and most importantly of all, mentor to the next generation of talent in the trance scene.

“It does make me feel a little but old, I mean I am only 32,” he laughed when talking to ITM. “But on the other hand, I feel honored to be in this position because these new guys inspire me, just as much as they inspire a lot of other DJs and colleagues as well. I feel privileged to work with these people… I’m really honored to be in this position where I can help the trance scene a little bit.”

During Armin’s meteoric rise over the past few years, as the crowned ‘benevolent leader’ of the trance scene he’s helped steer it to the impressive place it’s in today. “One of the reasons why trance is so successful is because the genre has really evolved. It sounds completely different now to how it did four or five years ago… A guy like Deadmau5 has changed the sound of trance again, and John O’Callaghan has changed the sound of trance again. And that’s why I’m so proud to be in this position, because it’s really cool in my chair to be following these guys & what they’re doing.”

For the third year in a row, Australia will see Armin in full flight over the June Long Weekend with a tour that will take in several of our largest festivals, as well as two exclusive club shows. Here, ITM’s Angus Paterson gets on the phone with the trance scene’s benevolent leader.

Armin van Buuren’s A State of Trance 2009 is out June 6th on 405 Recordings, and you can catch him touring over the June Long Weekend…

Thursday 4th June – The Met, Brisbane
Friday 5th June – Metro City, Perth (sold out)
Saturday 6th June – We Love Sounds, Sydney
Sunday 7th June – Winter Sound System, Melbourne
Monday 8th June – We Love Sounds, Adelaide