eight weeks in
the
st1:country-region w:st="on">
UK
top 10 chart). He played live in front of
billions of people during the Parade Of The
Athletes at the official opening ceremony of the
Olympic Games in
Athens. But
despite his meteoric success, Tiësto remains
grounded about his achievements and clearly
loves making and playing music above the
accolades it brings.
On Black Hole Tiësto has
released the Magik and In Search Of Sunrise
mixcompilation series, and most recent Nyana.
His remix of 'Delerium featuring Sarah McLachlan
- Silence' was the first house track ever
broadcasted on daytime radio in North America
and was eight weeks in the
U.K.
top 10 chart.
Born in
Holland, Tiësto
became a DJ because he 'liked to share music
with other people. When I was younger, I'd
listen to a radio show called the Soul Show, and
to Ben Liebrand's mix show, where he would remix
and cut up different tracks, and I just thought
- I wanna do this!' Starting out with a mobile
show around the country, he progressed to
student parties, and then to three nights a week
in a club, learning and perfecting his craft.
'music was always my first love but back then I
didn't know it was possible to make a living out
of being a DJ... If I wasn't a DJ now though I'd
be a chef. I love cooking - it must be because
of the mixing element!' The productions came
later, in 1995. 'I really wanted to produce
music that I could play in my sets, because it
brings much more fulfilment to the process. I
bought some samplers, some computer programs,
and just started working on it.' He makes it
sound easy - indeed, he makes it look easy as 10
years down the line his productions consistently
bother the charts and frequently reach number
one around
Europe.
In 1997 Tiësto, along
with Arny Bink, formed Black Hole Recordings,
the label that launched the hugely acclaimed
Magik. In Search Of
Sunrise, and
Nyana mix compilations. The label grew to such
proportions that in 2001 Tiësto started a
sub-label, Magik Muzik. 'It's the home of
records of mine, or of people whose work I
really believe in,' he enthuses. 'Everything on
Magik Muzik is what you'll find in my sets,
which makes it more of my own little project.'
Some of the gems from Magik Muzik include 2001
anthem Flight 643, his artist album In My
Memory, and tracks from Umek, Mark Norman and
Mojado.
Though known
primarily for his pioneering contributions to
the trance scene, Tiësto's style is now a mix of
everything: 'trance, house, techno - it's the
best of all that the dance world has to offer.
In 1998, I was really a trance DJ, but now I've
travelled round the world so much, different
influences have seeped in and I play a bit of
everything. I think the only way forward for DJs
now is to play a diverse mix of sounds.' Indeed,
his brand of trance was always pushing at the
constraints of the genre anyway, featuring
soaring vocals from the likes of Sarah McLachlan
and Kirsty Hawkshaw, spine-tingling breakdowns,
and euphoric melodies at every end of the
spectrum. His productions, sets, and releases
range from peak time club heaven to the sort of
perfect chill out that could reduce a grown man
to tears, and have at times owed as much
influence to classical music as to dance.
The many high profile
gigs and shows have now taken Tiësto away from
exclusively playing clubs, and propelled him to
become more of a mainstream artist. 'Often at my
shows now, half of the people are die-hard
clubbers, but the other half are people who know
me from the radio, or from more mainstream
gigs,' he says. 'It's more like they're going to
a concert, so now I get a great mix of both
worlds.'
In addition to this huge event, the
album 'Parade of the athletes' is released
worldwide in October 2004, which contains the
music from Tiësto's set at the Opening Ceremony.
Simultaneously, the title song of his 'Just Be'
artist album is climbing the lists and is heard
on dancefloors everywhere.
Describing the last
few years as 'a journey of defining moments,'
(as well as the usual club successes, his
shelves are groaning under the weight of
numerous awards - TMF-Awards, MTV, Dutch DJ -
and gold discs...) his favourites include the
second night of the Tiësto In Concert show in
Holland in 2004: 'I was really aware of what was
going on, the music was just right - a mix of
all my big tunes and new tunes, everything just
felt perfect that night. I played for nine hours
straight, and it was my favourite gig ever.'
And, of course, being voted by the readers as
the number one DJ in the world for the third
time. 'The first time it happened it was so
amazing, I was overjoyed. The second and the
third time were great as well of course, but the
first time you're on the cover of that magazine
that is so respected by other DJs - it's like
winning an Oscar!'
Continuing to explore
fresh avenues, Tiësto is currently experimenting
with new sounds in the studio, and writing more
vocals himself. 'I'm not looking for any big
collaborations right now, I'm more interested in
a burgeoning talent - someone whose voice is
good, and that really touches you. A voice
should sound like an instrument to me. I've had
a spell away from the studio, relaxing and
travelling, but now I'm really enthused about
getting back in there. I'm more open to doing
remixes again. I like to hear a track and right
away know what I want to do with it, what I can
make different, and whether it'll work for me in
my sets - all my remixes have to be tried and
tested.'
The future for Tiësto
promises yet further success, both as the solo
artist he's become and the DJ we know him to be.
'Another album, more remixes, definitely,' he
agrees, 'but it's hard to look too far into the
future. Every couple of months it seems that
something new, unexpected and exciting is
happening!'
Sally Learmouth
Awards
Overview
Awards
2005
* Release Dance Award Best
Trance/Progressive artist
* Release Dance
Award Best International DJ
* TMF Belgium
Best International DJ
* Dance Music Award
Germany Best Trance Artist
* WMC Awards Miami
Best Producer
* WMC Awards Miami Best Hi-NRG
/ Euro track
* WMC Awards Miami The Ortofon
Best European DJ 2004
* WMC Awards Miami Best
Producer 2004
* TMF Award Holland Best Dance
National
* TMF Award Holland Radio 538 single
of the year
* TMF Award Holland Lifetime
Achievement
* Edison Music Award Best dance
album - Just Be
Awards 2004
* DJ
Mag Top 100 Number 1 Position
* ID&T
Dutch DJ Award Best Dutch DJ by audience
*
Buma/Stemra Sound of Silence Award
* TMF
Award Belgium Best International DJ
* World
Music Award World's best selling Dutch
artist
* Ibiza DJ Award Best International DJ
Trance
* TMF Award Holland Best National
DJ
* TMF Award Holland Best Dance Act
National
* WMC Awards Miami Best
International DJ
Awards 2003
* DJ
Mag Top 100 Number 1 Position
* World
Dancestar Award U.S.A. Best International
DJ
* ID&T Dutch DJ Award Best Dutch DJ by
professional jury
* ID&T Dutch DJ Award
Best Dutch DJ by audience
* Radio 538 Dance
Award Radio 538 Dutch Audience Edison
* TMF
Award Holland Best Dance Act National
* TMF
Award Holland Best National DJ
* TMF Award
Belgium Best Dance International
* MTV Europe
Music Award Best Dutch Act
* BG Magazine
Award Best Club/Trance/Hardhouse DJ
* Mixmag
Award Best Resident Ibiza
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