| On
Black Hole Tisto 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, Tisto 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 Tisto, 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 Tisto 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, Tisto'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 Tisto 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 Tisto'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 Tisto 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, Tisto 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 Tisto 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!' |
