"I have my own record shop and try to listen to 50 new records per week."

In Search of Sunrise 2
Black Hole
2000

Magik 7 Live in Los Angeles
Black Hole
2001

Revolution Mix
Virgin UK/ Nebula
2001

Flight 643 (remixes)
Black Hole
2002

Summerbreeze Mix
Nettwerk
2000

DJ Tiësto

by Rob Evanoff

There's not many times that I'd volunteer for an 8 AM interview but being the Tiësto whore (as I'm affectionately called by Lucy, our senior editor) that I am and coupled with the fact that Tijs was in his native Holland some 9 hours ahead, I set the alarm early and armed my arm with plenty of black tea.

Yes, it's true. I'm one of your biggest fans (I even wrote your bio for All Music Guide, which is a music reference guide). So, where did the name Tiësto come from?
It's a nickname that I came up with. I wanted something that was unique.


What are your influences? What are your current favs?
I guess Lil Louis "French Kiss" is one of the first tracks that influenced me. Currently, I like Moby, whom I'm out on Area 2 with. I hear a lot of music. I have my own record shop and try to listen to 50 new records per week.

Who is / are your favorite female singer(s)?
Hmm. I like the girl (Carla Werner) on Oakenfold's 'Southern Sun'. I was happy to remix that track. I really like the way it turned out.

Which do you prefer, artist albums or turntable mixes?
Turntable mixes because they're easier to put together, though a lot of effort went into creating my 'In Search of Sunrise 3' recording. And on top of that, sometimes you won't get approval from the record label to use a certain track so then you have to re-do the mix.

Dutch trance is now a veritable “buzz phrase”? Any thoughts of getting Ferry, Montana, Dazzle and Cors Fijneman and staging a tour? Haven't thought about it but we actually did this a few weekends ago in Holland, where some of the Black Hole DJs played a show together, so maybe.

Does playing festivals like Coachella, God’s Kitchen Global Gathering, Dance Valley and Area 2 change your mind set or do you play the same records you would in a club?
I won't be playing Dance Valley this year because it conflicted with the Area 2 dates but yes, with only a two hour set and many people expecting to hear what they know from the records, I play to the crowd and stick much more to album tracks.

Saw you at Amnesia (God's Kitchen night) in Ibiza last summer which was absolutely incredible. This summer, you’re at Cream on Thursdays. What's your favorite club to play?
My favorite club is Amnesia in Ibiza where I'm playing this summer. You should come. We kicked it off on June 27th and I played a 7 1/2 hour set. As far as a favorite club in America, probably Avalon in Boston.

What's your longest set?
12 hours at a club in Amsterdam, though that was too long!

Heard you might be at Giant Village in L.A. on NYE?
It's possible. I will most likely be in London or America.

Heard your mix of Conjure One’s “Tears From The Moon” and must say it’s one of the best I’ve heard. Your mixes are starting to have a dark, subversive feel. Is this a conscious move?
Yes, I've been producing for a long time and it's time for something different.

Are you and Rhys (Fulber aka Conjure One) still surprised at the global success of “Silence”?
Yes. It was amazing. The track was Top 10 round the world and, at one time, something like 22 of the Top 25 DJs were playing the track.

I really enjoyed your mix of the “Theme From A Clockwork Orange”. Will you be contributing music to film soon?
That wasn't me, though I know the song. Hmm. Well, I hadn't thought about it but maybe some day.

I kind of see DJs as modern day composers and electronica as the natural evolution of classical music. You utilized orchestration on your “In My Memory” CD and use ethereal female vocals, similar to arias…any thoughts of ever mixing the old and the new? Say Mozart piano concerto in D Minor or Beethoven’s 9th?
No, hadn't thought of that but I will continue to add instrumentation and other elements that inspire me.

What will you be working on next? Is there anyone you want to work with?
Have some ideas but nothing definite at this time. At this time, there isn't any one in particular.

There you have it, some words from the world's finest DJ djtiesto.com
Thanks to Catherine @ Studio Dist for making this happen