Looks like the last couple of days enjoying local nature helped with the reset and recalibration.
A really good day in the studio today starting a new rough idea.
For me, everything starts with the groove. I spend a huge amount of time focusing on that foundation first, because it helps everything else on top feel connected and coherent.
At the moment there are six different basslines all interacting with each other like a musical conversation, while I slowly build the extra percussion around them to cement the rhythm together.
One of the biggest challenges for me is knowing when not to add more. Giving each sound its own space to breathe is just as important as the notes themselves.
Then suddenly, somewhere inside that groove, I start hearing the soul of the track reveal itself and know where the main theme needs to go.
Early days, but I’ve got a really good feeling about this one.
What next…
The past few years of my world has been consumed with producing and planning my artist album.
My mind was constantly full of ideas, visions and longterm goals driving me forward every day.
Now it’s finally out in the world, there’s a strange feeling of silence afterwards. Almost emptiness. I think a lot of creative people experience this after finishing something that consumes such a huge part of their life.
That’s why nature has always been important to me, and why I choose to live surrounded by it. The beaches, forests and long walks always give me the headspace to reset and figure out the next chapter. And slowly, the ideas are starting to come again.
But first… time to gear up for another huge festival season and the return of JOOF Editions Brighton.
JOOF Radio day!
We’re back to the normal format this month after the two-hour special last month where I exclusively created a mix of my artist album.
I’ve been finding some deep, hypnotic Trancy gems recently that the dance floor has been reacting to in a massive way, so I put together a mix of the standout tracks that have been getting immense reactions. Things get quite banging near the end, so to take care of the deep side of things, we have Dowden on guest mix duties creating a phenomenal mix.
Guest mix: @dowden_music
A very special reunion today in Malta with @djrubyofficial . I used to come here a lot in the early 90s, played a massive amount of parties with Ruby. He came to see me in the UK, always remember introducing him to Tony De Vit. We sent each other records we couldn’t get in each others territories and always kept in touch ever since.
I haven’t been to Malta nor seen Ruby for 30 years. From the very moment we hugged, it was like that time never passed, went straight into old friends mode.
Amazing guy, one of the best DJs out there, and super proud to see him doing so well.
Spent the whole day preparing for two very important shows this weekend.
Tomorrow in London, then straight to Malta for Rong Festival on Sunday.
People often ask how I prepare my sets, and being honest, I rarely know exactly what I’m going to play until I get there.
I prepare different playlist categories and energy levels so I know what to reach for when I start feeding from the dancefloor.
No two nights are ever the same, and that’s what keeps it exciting. There’s always that rush of adrenaline knowing something could potentially go wrong, but that pressure is also what pushes me to work exceptionally hard to create something memorable, especially knowing your experience is in my hands.
Can’t wait to see you all.
May 8th | E1 Mystra | London UK
May 10th | Rong Festival | Malta
Armin Van Buuren supports our new collaboration with John 00 Fleming @john00fleming
Track Playing:
🎵John 00 Fleming & Astral Projection - Transient Symbiosis🎵
Available on all platforms.
@john00fleming@arminvanbuuren
Tickets are now live for JOOF Editions Brighton, June 13th (day party).
Returning to the very place where my journey began, back when it was The Zap.
After a recent refurbishment, @quarters.brighton is arguably one of the best venues in the country (look at those photos!).
Joining me is @djjohnaskew someone I’ve shared endless moments with over the years, and guaranteed to deliver something special.
The whole day will be built as a journey from start to finish alongside our long standing partners @trancecodaevents
If you’ve been to one of our collective shows, you already know.
This is not one to miss. Ticket link in Bio.
Tickets: /3bwvc9kt
A new chapter for @joof_recordings
Every few years we like to refresh the visual identity of the label, it reflects how our musical vision is always evolving.
We’re saying goodbye to our little alien friend, a character that’s been part of the artwork for the past few years, and introducing a new direction you’ll start seeing across releases and JOOF Editions flyers too (Brighton flyer just announced).
It’s always a strange moment closing one chapter and opening another.
But it also feels like a reset, fresh energy. Sleeves rolled up and ready to push things forward again.
Curious to hear your thoughts on the new look.
Lesson #1 Never Rush the Dancefloor
Ever walked out of a club feeling like you’d been on a journey, not just heard a set?
A lot of DJs unleash at full power, like they need to prove something straight away.
But if you give everything in the first 20 minutes, there’s nowhere left to go.
The nights that stay with you take their time. They build. They breathe. They let you settle into the music before lifting you up.
That’s always been my approach, I control the energy and never chase it.
It’s not about playing harder. It’s about knowing when not to.
