Armin Van Buuren
He’s Number One
Aged just 31, Armin Van Buuren has been named number one in the prestigious DJ Top 100 poll – voted for by over 350,000 people across the world, and an indication of his prolific output over the 10 years he’s been DJing and producing. Being the official World’s Best DJ is just one of his many achievements, but the driving force behind his success is an overriding passion for dance music.
Armin was celebrating his success with yet another career high point when his latest album, Imagine entered the Dutch national charts at Number One. “This is my third artist album,” he says. “It’s more of an album album, one you can put on at home although it’s still dancefloor orientated it’s more mellow, housey, vocally… more songs and I’m writing more and more.”
Born in Leiden, Holland to a musical family, Armin indulged his passion for music from a young age. He spent all the money he earned with his paper round on records. His mum won a computer when he was 10, “So as a little nerdy kid I was writing my own basic programmes, and learnt about the technology from there.” He progressed from making low-profile mix tapes for friends to higher profile mixes when he discovered experimenting with different sequences on his computer through his uncle. “I was so stunned by what I saw him doing on the computer, that I got addicted to creating music right there and then!”
He plays London later this summer and says that just loves playing in the city. “London started my career and London is still the centre of dance music.” When asked if he has prepared anything special for his eager audience he smiles and explains, “I know my opening record… after that… whop knows… I just go with the vibe.” The Gallery people are always up for it no matter what time the session starts and I’m really looking forward to my return.”
Armin Van Buuren – Southwestfour – 23rd August – Clapham Common
www.southwestfour.com