Tiesto – Mass Market Product

Tiesto's career is enviable: no DJ in the world before him had filled a 25,000-seat stadium, and the single 'Traffic' was recognized as number one hit, an unprecedented case—in his native Holland for the first time in 23 years an instrumental track occupies the top position.

His remix of Delerium featuring Sarah McLachlan's 'Silence' became the first house track to get daytime radio rotation in North America (not to mention it became an international dance floor anthem, and remained in the UK top 10 for eight weeks). Tiesto performed live during the Parade of Athletes at the official opening ceremony of the Athens Olympic Games. But despite overwhelming success, the DJ keeps his head and simply continues doing what he loves—creating and playing music.

The future promises Tiesto even greater success, both in his solo musical accomplishments and in his familiar role as a DJ. "A new album is coming out, remixes will definitely appear. But it's hard to predict. It feels like something new, unexpected and exciting happens every couple of months!", говорит Tiesto.

"It turned out very funny", улыбается Tiesto. "In September 2003 I was performing in Greece and a guy came up to me and said – 'Hey Tiesto, I just listened to you; you're amazing. I'd like you to play at the Olympic opening ceremony', I agreed right away!"

This performance became another turning point in DJ Tiesto's incredible career.

As a teenager, he listened to heavy metal, but one day in a record store a sign that said 'House Music' caught his eye. The interest didn't fade, and the next step was buying the important compilation 'Techno! The House Sound of Detroit', which set the course for the rest of his life. Inspired by radio heroes like the 80s giant Ben Liebrand and Peter Slaghuis, thanks to boundless energy and his ability to make connections (helped by his work at Basic Beat record store in Rotterdam), Tiesto becomes a resident DJ at small clubs, and finally in 1998 he plays a decisive set at ID&T's Innercity rave in Amsterdam (the recording of this set sold 100,000 copies in Holland alone).

The success was undeniable. Tiesto laughs: "I thought, this music isn't hard to write. Just a beat and bass. So I went to the store, bought some stuff and started learning". It all started with classic tracks, including lots of remixes, like 'Flight 643', a crushing hit that had a strong influence on trance music.

He's restless; his calm and confident demeanor is just a mask, hiding ambitions that go far beyond conventional success. "I'd like it in 10 years when people say – 'back then Tiesto took DJing to a new level, broke the boundaries and that's why things are the way they are", he explains.

His next steps are entirely devoted to his latest creation, 'Elements of Life', his third studio album, and a year-long tour in support will follow its release. The album expands Tiesto's musical palette in new directions—house, techno, German minimalism - but doesn't abandon its trance roots and his characteristic ability to captivate listeners. "I'm returning to the basics", делится Tiеsto. "People are so absorbed in the Internet now, and everything happens very quickly. But I'm going back to earth, wind, fire and water—the ancient vital elements that are the foundation of everything. This album is definitely deeper than the first".

"I must admit, German minimal inspired some of the tracks. I'm very susceptible to the influence of other DJs and music styles. But I think that's good; that's the only way to stay relevant. If I were playing the same stuff I did in 1998, my music would lose its charm".

'Elements of Life' is a big step forward, but still the work of the familiar Tiesto we know, the master of minor symphonies. 'Sweet Things,' featuring Charlotte Martin, is deep house with piano parts, but the sound is traditionally melancholic yet uplifting. Julie Thompson's voice soars high and plumbs the depths in 'Can You Feel Me', the musical accompaniment is limited to drums and bass, but very effective. Волнующий Dance4Life, в соавторстве с Maxi Jazz из Faithless посвящен проблеме борьбы со СПИДом. It's also worth mentioning that Tiesto contributed to the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' soundtrack - with 'He's A Pirate', where circular keyboard motifs weave an endless pattern.

The 'Elements of Life' world tour will last a whole year, it's a large-scale show combining live DJ and vocalist performances with visual and light effects. A team of 35 people will accompany Tiesto on the tour. The emotional DJ shares his excitement: "The visual effects will be amazing and the light show very unusual. Technically there will be many things no one has done before—an absolutely unimaginable spectacle. The world has never seen a dance show like this. That's all I can say for now. I don't want to spoil the surprise". Tiesto hasn't forgotten his underground interests and plans to organize intimate parties in addition to the main show. "I plan to play challenging, experimental, totally different material the night before or after the show, not hits. That way it will be more interesting for me".

On the latest single, 'In The Dark,' which consists of several episodes, former BBMak vocalist Christian Burns is featured, whom Tiesto found on MySpace. "He has such an amazing voice, like it's from the 80s, I contacted him and asked if he wanted to record a track with me, and he was enthusiastic from the start. 'In The Dark' sounds like what it would be if U2 wrote dance music. I even came up with a name for this new style: roctronic!".

Tiesto could say much more about his craft, but we move to the main point. "I still see myself as a mainstream DJ", заявляет он. "I play for the people. I'm not an underground DJ like, say, Richie Hawtin, whose art is a completely different kind, I think. Richie creates without considering people's opinions. As for me, I start creating something, but I look at how people react and adjust the music to fit the listener. That's essentially how I differ from other DJs. I want to interact with the crowd—if I feel they want a big melody, I blow it up, because I want everyone to go home smiling...".

Modesty and crazy ambitions rarely come together in one person, but Tiesto has both. He doesn't just want to be paid, he wants to influence the course of events. "I'd like DJing and dance music to become as widespread as hip-hop or rock. It would be great to be at the forefront of that change".

Tiesto on MySpace...
Original text: Bill Brewster