On performing at Marquee New York, Armin said, “I am happy to do club shows. I did Electric Zoo, which was amazing. Now, I am here to do a club show, which is exciting. You can expect to hear some new material and some new mash-ups I’ve been doing. A little bit of the new and a little bit of the old. It all depends on the crowd’s reaction.”
Armin ranked No. 3 this year in the coveted DJ Magazine Top 100 DJs poll, thus showcasing the longevity and relevance of his illustrious music career. “That felt good especially after all these years, it is so amazing to see the continued support from all these fans from all over the world. I feel humbled. That’s the only thing I can say.”
For Armin, headlining Electric Zoo: The 6th Boro this year was an “amazing” experience. “I was there for the very first Electric Zoo,” he recalled. “I saw the trance scene grow in New York, which has a big trance following.”
Regarding his future plans, Armin said, “I just got back from Los Angeles. I wrote seven new songs in five days. I have a new single coming out. I have a lot of new projects. I am super-excited about them.”
He revealed that he is working on several new collaborations, but he cannot disclose any of them yet. Speaking of collaboration, Armin praised Australia trance vocalist Emma Hewitt for being “amazing.”
When asked what he is looking forward to most this Christmas holiday, Armin said, “I am turning 41 this year. It has been such a crazy year. I look forward to a quiet Christmas. I am super excited to be at home, finally.”
Digital transformation of electronic music industry
On the impact of technology on the electronic dance music (EDM) industry, Armin said, “The best thing about it is social media. The fans actually talk back to you right now. It is much more quick. The music is quickly accessible for a lot of people. Now, it is all about playing a tune and instantly recognizing it. The consumer is more on the actual product, since it can be more accessible.”
Armin shared that he uses technology quite avidly in his music routine. “I use my technology in several ways: Internet and social media. YouTube and Facebook are essential for my communication with my fans to get my name and product out there. That is why I am doing my radio show with visuals. I have a visual radio every week on YouTube and Facebook. I use all the latest technology to reach my fans faster.”
The electronic superstar noted that he has seen a resurgence of vinyl lately. “I did a vinyl set earlier this year in ‘A State of Trance,’ which was nice. The sound of vinyl is something that will always have a nostalgia about it, and also some romance.”
Armin used the following analogy to describe the uniqueness of vinyl. “You can cook a burger on the stove, but you can cook it on a grill or a barbecue. It is a little bit more tasty,” he said.
“I am very grateful to the fans. I am super excited and very thankful to everything that has been happening to me over the last couple of years,” he said, effusively. “If the people keep supporting me, I will keep supporting the trance community, and I will do my best.”
Armin defined the word success as “happiness and health.” “If you are happy and healthy, that’s the most important thing,” he concluded.
For more information on world renowned trance DJ and producer Armin van Buuren, check out his official website and Facebook page.
