He is one of the greatest DJs in the international Electronic Dance Music scene today. This year, Dutch DJ-cum-musician Tiesto won the Grammy Award for the Best Remixed Recording (Non Classical) for his remixed version of John Legend’s hit ‘All Of Me’.
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Tiesto, who is here in India to perform at the Sunburn Arena music festival at New Delhi, Bangalore and Hyderabad this week, says the country is a magical place. “This is the third time I am playing in India and I must admit that the country’s response towards dance and trance genres of music is rewarding,” he says.
Having been in the music circuit for over a decade, the musician feels that Electronic Dance Music is still growing and expanding into other sub-genres. He says the potential for dance music was always there and it is thriving. “Personally, I am having the time of my life, and I think that translates into my sets,” says Tiesto, a native of Netherlands who was called the ‘Electronic Cash King’ by Forbes Magazine under the highest paid DJ category. Back in 2008, he was nominated for Grammy for the first time for his album ‘Elements of Life’.
So how has his style evolved over the years? “Quite a lot actually! I was going out to clubs a few years ago and when I was there, I heard the DJs play more of everything. It wasn’t just one style of music they played…they played all kinds. I really liked that approach, so it was my goal to become more like that myself. I don’t want to limit myself to one form of music. I want to get influenced by other stuff outside of the trance world…more Indie vocals, Electro DJs, and House music,” he replies. His current productions are more vocal-based than instrumental pieces.
Tiesto is comfortable playing at both festivals and clubs. The artiste feels while at one hand, he gets adrenaline rush from playing at festivals though they tend to be limited by a time frame, club shows often allow him to explore the room a bit more and change his styles. “I am really happy and comfortable in both settings,” says the musician, whose favourite DJs include Dzeko & Torres, MOTI and Zaxx. “I love new talent, it keeps me inspired!”
His current favourite track is ‘All Of Me’, which fetched him the Grammy. “It is actually a great wedding song as well. It brings out a sense of emotional connectivity,” Tiesto says, adding that he is working on a lot of records which would come out next year. He is now teaching Britney Spears to spin it.
