Tiësto’s career is punctuated by landmark achievements – the first DJ in the world to sell out a solo stadium event for over 25,000 people 2 nights in a row, he scored a number one hit with his single Traffic, the first instrumental track to reach the top spot in his homeland of Holland in 23 years. His remix of Delerium featuring Sarah McLachlan’s Silence was the first house track ever broadcast on daytime radio in North America, (it became an international dancefloor anthem and also spent eight weeks in the UK top 10 chart). He played live in front of billions of people during the Parade of the Athletes at the official opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Athens. But despite his meteoric success, Tiësto remains grounded about his achievements and clearly loves making and playing music above the accolades it brings.
Born in Holland, Tiësto 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 radio program, where he would remix and cut up different tracks, and I just thought – I want to do this!’ 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 Tiësto, 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 Tiësto 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 and his artist albums In My Memory, Just Be and Elements of Life.
He genuinely enjoys his achievements, but Tiësto keeps both feet on the ground: ‘It’s hard to look too far into the future. Every couple of months it seems that something new, unexpected and exciting is happening!’
Awards Overview
Awards 2008
* IDMA Award Best Global DJ / Best Electronic Dance Album – Elements Of Life
Awards 2007
* Grammy Nomination Best Electronic Dance Album – Elements Of Life
Other Related Links:
http://www.thedjlist.com/djs/TIESTO/
