When you're considered one of the top DJ-producers in the world, and a favorite among legions of fans, you always have to stay on top of your game. Each and every step of the way, haters will be looking for you to slip up, miss a beat, and try and strip away a title that you've rightfully gained. Known as one of the most recognizable names in dance music around the world,
Tïesto's familiar with this, but nothing seems to stand in his way. While many of us stateside have already been witnesses to his massive events, they're nothing compared to his performances in Europe, where thousands upon thousands of fans show up and listen to his signature sets of infectious sounds. This week he's pulling out all the stops and preparing for the
biggest DJ performance that the U.S. has ever seen…ever. That's quite the feat that only an artist of this caliber can pull off.
We recently caught up with Tïesto about his College Life Tour, his latest single, and preparing for the biggest show he's had in the states.
Clubplanet: 2011 seems to have been a great year for you thus far. What are some of your personal highlights?
Tïesto: The Club Life Tour has been amazing, my residencies in Las Vegas and Ibiza have been like second homes to me, the Club Life Volume 1 album was a huge success, and I’m about to finish out my College Invasion Tour in Los Angeles by playing the largest single DJ event in US history. I’d say it has been a pretty epic year!
Clubplanet: Your latest single, ‘Maximal Crazy’, encompasses the kind of energy that dance music fans always crave. Going into the studio for this single, what goals did you have in mind?
Tïesto: I just wanted to make something epic for the fans that worked well live.
Clubplanet: The video for ‘Maximal Crazy’ gives your U.S. fans some insight on what your live shows are like. Dance music events stateside seem to be growing more and more. What are your thoughts on the development of dance music in the U.S.?
Tïesto: Dance music in the US is booming, and it couldn’t be happening at a better time. Other genres like Pop, R&B, and Hip-Hop are now pulling electronic music into their own music production, and it is really putting dance music in the spotlight.
Clubplanet: This time around you decided on a college tour. Why the change?
Tïesto: The college students are what caused it; we saw so much feedback on my social networks from students looking for me to come to their schools. I thought it was a good time to connect with a younger crowd that I don’t usually get the chance to play to.
Clubplanet: Dance music seems to have more artists than any other genre of music. In your opinion, what percentage actually breaks through?
Tïesto: Given the amount of new productions I’m hearing I’d say it’s a very small percentage that actually end up breaking through.
Clubplanet: Outside of dance music, what's on your iPod after a show?
Tïesto: Everything, people would be surprised to what is on it. I’ve been listening to a lot of The Naked & Famous recently.
Clubplanet: Your Club Life US College Invasion Tour will feature an event that will bring together the largest crowd to ever see a DJ perform in US history. How does this compare in your list of achievements thus far?
Tïesto: It’s up there with the most amazing events of my career. I couldn’t be more thankful to be a part of something like this, and I’m going to put a lot of extra effort into this show because I really want it to be a special night.
Clubplanet: What can we expect from you for the remainder of the year?
Tïesto: I’m going to finish out the College Invasion tour and a tour in Latin America, and then I’m going to get back into the studio and work on a new album for 2012.