RaverRafting had the opportunity to have a quick chat with one of electronic dance music’s legends, Tiesto, ahead of his X Games appearance on January 26th. Yes, If you weren’t aware, Tiesto will be performing at this years X Games in Aspen, Colorado alongside names such as Matt & Kim and Axwell.
Fans that can’t make it out to Wagner Park at the end of the month will have the opportunity to stream his set exclusively through the X Games’s official YouTube page. Though, if you’re around the Colorado area we encourage you to get a healthy dose of winters sports and dance tunes, GA and premium tickets are still available through BellyUpAspen.com.
During our conversation with Tijs Michiel Verwest, Tiesto, we spoke about his upcoming X Games set, forthcoming album, Holy Ship!!!, Diplo and more.
Key: Bold = Interviewer (Tyler) | Unbold = Tiesto
You’re kicking off 2014 in style alongside Matt & Kim, Phoenix and Axwell at the X Games in Aspen, Colorado. Are you going to be teasing any tracks from your forthcoming artist album in your set?
Absolutely. I have a lot of surprises in store 🙂
Over the years you’ve gone from producing/DJing trance to house music, however, “Red Lights,” the lead single off of your forthcoming album, offers a dance-pop crossover theme. Is dance-pop going to be the overall style of your album?
I’m into so many different styles of music so I think you’ll find my album will crossover many avenues of dance music.
How is the album coming along? Have you come up with a release date yet?
It’s coming along and we’re shooting for a release in the late spring/early summer
You always have a pretty hectic tour schedule, have you been working on the album while on the road? If so, in what cities have you worked on it and how has that inspired you?
I’ve worked on this in a lot of cities all over the world but mostly New York, Stockholm and Las Vegas. That’s the beauty of technology. I’m always inspired by the cities I visit and the people I meet, so I’m never short in that department.
In September of 2013 you played a unique two-hour mix on Diplo’s Diplo and Friends radio show and recently I saw a selfie of you and Diplo on his instagram account. I can’t help but wonder, have you guys been working on anything in the studio?
Hmmmm… you never know.
You shocked a lot of fans when you were announced as the surprise set on Holy Ship!!! What was your favorite memory from that trip?
Oh man, that was a blast. I thought the reaction from the crowd was amazing and I had great fun playing for the fans. Definitely a different experience. It was really like a house party at sea. I guess when a lot of my DJ friends were up there dancing with me. That was my favorite part.
Recently I saw the video on your Facebook of your phone blowing after you gave our your Snapchat name on Twitter. What was the best Snapchat that you received?
Oh man, I don’t think I can say it. hahaha.
It’s no secret, 2013 was the year of big room bangers and massive drops in the United States EDM scene. WhiteRaverRafting thinks that 2014 will be the year of genre crossovers and intricate originals that are based more heavily on music theory. What do you think 2014 has in store for us?
Well that’s all part of progression. It’s a constant evolutionary process, it has to be because the world moves so fast and so do tastes. I do see a trend toward collaboration and crossover as well, but I’ve always been about that.
You’re always supporting a lot of new artists and a wide range of styles through your record label. What exactly do you look for when signing a tune to Musical Freedom?
I truly want to sign music that I like. If I like it, I’ll try and release it.
A lot of artists look up to you as a mentor, such as Martin Garrix, Hardwell, and Carnage, to name a few. You’ve been around a very long time and you’ve got a lot of wisdom to offer this younger generation of creators. What is some of the best advice you have shared with the artist you’re currently pushing?
I always tell them to be themselves and to never be content musically. That is, artists should always be open minded and willing to learn. That’s how you grow. Even today, I’m still learning.
There are so many talented up-and-coming producers in the scene today and as a music website we’re always looking to discover and support new artist. Are there any acts that you think WhiteRaverRafting should keep an eye on throughout 2014?
Absolutely, I’m really feeling MOTi and Oliver Heldens. I’m also releasing a new EP called “Future Heroes” and it has tracks from great producers including HiX, Jus Jack, Kaaze and TV Noise.
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Many thanks to the X Games and Tiesto for having a chat with us. Keep an eye out for his forthcoming album in the late spring/early summer.
[Cover Photo Credit: JustAwesome Photography]
[Headshot Photo Credit: Tiesto’s Facebook]
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