Hard dance legend Fausto has been in the game for over 20 years now, holding strong at the top of the pack. Taking some time out from his ridiculously busy schedule, we chat to him about the past 20 years, his recent IHDS album release, and about his upcoming set at the ORANGE stage of Defqon.1 Australia.

You’ve been in the industry over 20 years, which is a remarkable effort. When you look back at all you’ve achieved, how does it feel?
It’s hard to reminisce over all that I’ve experienced in those 20 years, but overall I feel really proud about what I’ve achieved. I’m one of the very few who can say that he’s been on practically every line-up in The Netherlands. Next to that, I’ve also played at almost every big event abroad. Quite insane now I think of it, but I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.

What made you get into DJing and producing in the hard dance/trance scene?
Well, since I’ve been around the scene for over 20 years, I witnessed house music’s birth and the evolution after that. When mellow and hardcore more or less merged into the early trance/hard trance sound, I evolved with that sound. Around 2001, the newer hard trance really kicked in and that sound was right up my sleeve.

Are there any achievements or memories in particular that are special to you?
Closing the main stage of Trance Energy in 2009, playing in the Amsterdam Arena at Sensation Black in 2008, Qlimax 2007, closing down Dance Valley HQ Stage 2006, building up my label Excessive Records, and of course the whole International Hard Dance Sessions success that me and Phil York have been working on over the last two years.

Do you think there was a defining moment in your career, when you’ve thought, “Hey, I did it”?
Mainly when I did all the aforementioned performances. It gives me a unique vibe every single time, especially when I closed the main stage of Trance Energy in 2009 after Paul van Dyk, Armin van Buuren and Marcel Woods.

Was the industry and dance scene a lot different from when you started to where it is now?
Everything got way more professional. It’s a lot of hard work, especially compared to the early days, and the technology is completely different too. Also the underground scene has more or less died, mainly due to the internet. But it’s a good thing that the scene has built itself over the past 20 years, definitely.

What would be the craziest event you have ever played at?
That has to be the Eclipse festival in 1999 in Cornwall at the legendary Stonehenge spot. It was insane: the sun went black, you could hear animals making a lot of noise and everyone just want completely mental! The set I did right after it was a legendary one for me because of the vibe. It still gives me goosebumps.