LAist Interview: Armin Van Buuren

In Downtown LA on New Year's Eve, there will be thousands of people dancing on the streets, covering over seven acres, at a party called Giant. There will be three connected, heated big-tops and three stages for some of the best djs from around the world.

Indeed, of the line-up who will be spinning for your asses, Los Angeles, includes three of the top 10 dj's of DJ magazine's famous ranking list. Joining Digweed (#8), and Sasha (#7), will be the Dutch pretty boy, Armin Van Buuren (#2), known for casually signing autographs during his epic (6 hours +) sets.

For years Van Buuren was voted the third-best dj in the world. In this interview he explains what it took to get to #2, a rating he was just recently awarded.

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LAist got a chance to exchange emails with the 30-year-old phenom, with the assistance of Kira Gouriluk who contributed the large majority of the good questions... after the jump

LAist: It's so cool that you're playing in LA for New Years. Where's your favorite place to eat when you're out here?

Armin Van Buuren: I love that place on sunset that serves excellent Japanese food.

Here in LA over the last few years we've lost quite a few of the best record stores in which to get vinyl. Have you seen this trend happening around the country? And if so, what does an artist like you do to combat this since you probably need good vinyl to survive?

Yes, unfortunately this happens in Holland too. I stopped playing vinyl 6 months ago because it takes about a month now for a track to be pressed on vinyl (used to be 10 days!). So when other DJ’s were playing the track for a month from CD, I was still waiting for a vinyl copy. It’s a real shame though as I loved the sound of vinyl. Armada Music will keep pressing vinyl for as long as there is still a demand.

Who would you say are your inspirations for writing music, and who is your current favorite DJ?

I think I get influenced by the tracks I play in my DJ sets a lot but also by the music I listen to at home. I don’t really have time to listen to other DJ’s a lot. The most DJ’s I hear are on one of the sub labels of Armada Music because I play a lot with them.

When did you start Armada Music? How is being an executive-type mogul treating you?

We started Armada in 2003. One of the partners, Maykel Piron, is MD of Armada. He signs all the record deals etc, ect.

Out of all of your signed Armada DJ's, who is your favourite, and who do you think if any will potentially reach as much success you have had throughout your career?

Every artist we signed to Armada we signed because we like what they’re doing. Every artist is unique, it’s hard to mention a favourite. I think Markus Schulz & DJ Remy’s sounds are closest to what I do.

Who is your favourite singer or musician to perform with at a show?

I just did Armin Only show with many live performances and the performance of my brother Eller, Justine Suissa, RANK 1, Ilse de Lange and Susana really stood out!

What was the best show you've ever played at your entire career?

There are too many great shows I played at, but the last one I really enjoyed was Armin Only on November the 11th, 2006 in Ahoy’ Rotterdam.

We love your blog, it's cool to know what your up to and your point of view of your career. Why don't you update more often?

There’re only 24 hours in a day.... J

If someone said to you, let's go on a crazy adventure right now and for some reason you only had $500.00 and 24 hours to do it and there were no limits what would you do?

Probably get myself and some of my best friends on some crazy hill and go skiing on one of those black slopes.

Giant
New Years Eve
Downtown LA
BLUEBERI BIG TOP: Sasha & John Digweed (6 Hour Set), Jimmy Van M and Mark Tabberner. • OHRANJ ARENA: Ferry Corsten (3 Hour Set), Armin Van Buuren (3 Hour Set), Boris M.D. (Departure) and Kristina Sky. • RAZBERI RING: Sander Kleinenberg (3 Hour DVDJ Set), Jason Bentley, Trent Cantrelle, John Do & Justin Gourley and the Architects of Sound.

Click here for ticket information, directions, and etc.

Click here for VIP, ya big player