Romanian-born trance star Claudia Cazacu is en route to Australia this month for a short round of dates. Since relocating to London over a decade ago, Cazacu has immersed herself in the club scene, learning from the craft of building a set from the likes of Armin van Buuren and Sander Van Doorn.

With a full slate in 2010 that includes a return to Judgement Sundays in Ibiza, the leading lady chats to ITM about bringing her scorching tech-trance to our shores.

How is 2010 going for you and your music career so far? What do you hope to achieve in 2010?
Although it’s been only three months since the beginning of the year it’s been crazy. I have been so busy in the studio working on new tracks, travelling also with my gigs, mixing compilations. It has been non-stop. 2010 is going to be a big one for me. I have a lot of projects going on and I am really excited about this.

Have you toured to Australia before? What do you know about Australia’s dance music scene?
I’ve been here with Audrey Gallagher in October 2009. We played at Home in Sydney and absolutely loved it. The crowd was so into it and it’s been such an amazing atmosphere.

Your home country, Romania, is a million miles away for us Australians. Could you tell me about where you come from and about Romania’s dance music scene? How does the Romanian scene compare with the UK?
I am from down south Romania, an hour’s drive from the capital and I moved to London 11 years ago. I’ve only played in Romania a couple of times. The scene over there is much more minimal-influenced, although you do get some trance. Last year for instance, The Mission, a huge party on the beach, was headlined by Armin and Tiesto.

When did you discover that trance was your preferred sound?
When I moved to London, I was introduced to the dance scene; to DJs like Armin van Buuren and Paul van Dyk. I felt in love straight away with the amazing atmosphere at all these events. The music was like a story, making you happy and being able to express yourself through it. That’s when I realised that was what I was looking for. I’ve always admired Armin van Buuren, for me everything he does it’s absolutely flawless.

What do you think of the stigma of drug culture that follows the dance music scene?
I think this is a false and over-analysed statement. My experience is that are less and less drugs users within the dance scene.

Do you have the same stigma in your home country?
Up until 20 years ago the country was under communist rule so in respect of liberalisation of drug use, Romania is still a long was behind other countries in the world.

What events in 2010 and beyond do you most look forward to playing at and why?
As always I am looking forward to heading back to Ibiza for the summer season. I’ll be playing at Judgement Sundays again, on of the best parties on the island.

If you could have one day and night to do absolutely anything at all (and with anyone!), what would it be?
I’d love to take one of those new trips into space with Richard Branson on the Virgin space craft. I heard a guy used two million air miles to take the trip. I think I need a few more round trips to Australia to save up the miles!

Have you got anything else planned to do while you’re in Australia?
I am hoping to go whale watching, but most of my time will be spent enjoying the hot weather. It’s freezing here in the UK at the moment.

Lastly, what would you say is the one thing that you wake up in the morning and think, ‘This inspires me’.
My virus synth, with all its LED lights flashing. It’s such an amazing piece of kit and gets the creative juices flowing.

Claudia Cazacu tour dates:

Friday 26 Mar – Euphoria @ Brown Alley, Melbourne
Saturday 27 Mar – Metro, Perth
Friday 2 Apr – HQ, Adelaide