If you listen to trance, then you are probably familiar with Ruben de Ronde. He has produced hits like “What About You,” “Larger Than Life” and “Moment Of Truth.” His sound is underground, but if you’ve ever watched Armin van Buuren’s A State Of Trance on YouTube, you’ve seen Ruben!!! He’s the other guy in the studio with Armin and these guys have been working together for years. After Amsterdam Dance Event I got the chance to spend some time with Ruben. We talked about his collaborations, what it’s like producing ASOT along side Armin and his time on the road for the ASOT live events. I’ve been a fan of his for a long time and it was really fun to learn more about him. Guys, this interview is one for the ages. It is my pleasure to introduce you to Ruben de Ronde.
Over the years you’ve collaborated with a lot of musicians. How do collaborations come up? Are you out there looking for them, or do these musicians come looking for you?
Collaborations come about quite naturally in general, it is most often with friends that are working on albums, in which case they approach me or the other way around. I would always need to have a click with the people I work with, musically as well as personally, otherwise the chemistry isn’t something that comes out well. Sometimes we sit down in the studio, on other cases it would be me starting something and sending it over to work on or the other way around. I always love working with people, because you’ll always learn something out of it! Making music is one of those crafts where you never stop learning!
You spend a lot of time in the studio with Armin van Buuren. Tell me more about your relationship with Armin. You guys seem like best friends during ASOT.
(Laughs.) I could imagine you’d say that! Armin and myself have been working together on A State Of Trance since 2007, so it has been quite a journey! I think the most important thing about the radio show, is that we are truly having fun making it. We all have friends that you can’t wait to share music with right? In this case it is us and the listeners! Every week it is a party to being able to go into the studio together and making something that brings joy to ourselves, but most importantly to the listeners at home.
You have remixed for some big names like Above & Beyond, Cosmic Gate and Aly & Fila. When you produce a remix, do you need the original artist’s permission? When you are finished, do you send the finished release to them?
In 99.9% of the cases I am approached by the artist to make a remix for them, so I wouldn’t need approval to put it out. But in the past, as a learning curve that I would give as a tip to all up and coming producers, I made remixes of my favorite tracks. In that case I would ask them permission to hand it out, but if those artists are some of the big fishes it is hard to get that. If it is an unofficial remix, or bootleg, you would always have something nice to play in your sets!
You own Statement! Recordings. This label is under the wing of Armada Music. Tell me more about the label, what artists you’re working with and what you are trying to accomplish with it.
First of all, I am mega proud to be working with the artists that are under the Statement! umbrella. From Estiva to Rodg, Elevven, Lumisade and amazing Russian producers like Same K, MUVY, Max Meyer, etc. They all have their own distinguished sound in the progressive side of things. I love progressive trance, and the more original the better! My aim is to get more Statement! Nights going around the world, so I hope that promoters will give this side of trance music a chance as well. It makes people smile, I promise you!
I haven’t had the chance to visit you guys in Amsterdam, but during ASOT, you are on your computer a lot. What are you doing? I’ve always wanted to know… Spill the beans!
(Laughs.) That’s the million dollar question! I get this one a lot actually. It is quite simple! We just don’t “pop in” the studio doing the show. There is a structure. There is news to share, there are messages that need to make it into the show. So I would say that during the show I am the GPS. What are we saying at what moment. From scripting to the direction we take.
You tour with Armin quite a bit. What is it like being on the road with him? He has some loyal fans, that’s for sure!
Being on tour with Armin is one of the most fun things there is. I really enjoy being on the road with him and his team. Throughout the year all of these guys became friends and it is always quality time in between the shows as well. All of them are mega professional, but they also have the same sort of humor and character. Plus being able to support Armin at several shows is great too!
It doesn’t get much better than Ultra Music Festival. What is it like when you take the stage in front of that many people? Do you get nervous while performing?
I don’t really get nervous anymore. I remember in the past, before my first performances I would be so anxious I’d almost had to throw up! (Laughs.) Right now I can be confident in the message I bring with my sets, playing the music I made myself. That being said, I would still get a bit nervous for those BIG shows, like the mentioned Ultra Music Festival, Sunrise Music Festival, Tomorrowland, etc. Sometimes you don’t know what to expect! I recently did a lot of shows with my dear friend Matan from Vini Vici, and they have such a different crowd than the shows I am used too, but it always turns out great!
Tell me more about the A State Of Trance live events.
The live events, wow! Well I could say that everything comes together at those shows! The people that tune in every week have a moment to go out, and experience the music we play on the show together in a BIG hall or festival. I mentioned the word “friends” earlier with the listeners, and it truly feels like a gathering of friends with the same passion: Music! The downside of events like we have in Utrecht is that I am working so hard in the studio, that I don’t have time to walk around and enjoy the festival, as we are broadcasting to so many radio shows. On the other side that means that we can still bring a bit of the experience of the show to listeners that don’t have the chance to visit the event.
Your single “Moment Of Truth” has over 1 million plays on Spotify. Did you ever think that single would be so popular? I love it, by the way!
Thank you! I would’ve have never expected it to blow up like this to be honest. It was the first time working with LTN and Kimberly Hale, and it was amazing to be honest! Ever since “Moment Of Truth” I have worked with Kimberly on 2 more tunes, and I think she is such an amazing talent. I have to say that this is the tune that had the most support from Austin at Spotify, and that is the truly most important thing nowadays in the music industry. I hope to have more of those soon!
Las Vegas is the epicenter for dance music in the United States. Where are some of your places to see a show in Sin City?
I always thought that my sound is too “underground” to ever play in Las Vegas, so I never thought I would ever play the Marquee. BUT thanks to Insomniac and Dreamstate I was able to do so last year. I hope to be back there in the future. But in the end it is the promoters and clubs that decide if I get to play somewhere. I would say again to them: get in to the Statement! Sound, because it brings smiles! (Laughs.)
Wait… You and Armin have never collaborated on a single. How is that even possible? Any plans to work with him on a single in the near future?
That is definitely on the bucket list, but I would totally leave this in Armin’s hands. If he ever wants to do so, I’m there!
What’s next for Ruben de Ronde?
I am working on my new album at the moment, so I hope to present that to you really quick!
Thank you for doing this. That was fun! In all of the interviews I do, I always give the artist the last word. Go.
Thank you so much for support and your time! Much love!
Connect with Ruben de Ronde:
Website: http://www.rubenderonde.nl
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rubenderonde
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rubenderonde
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/rubenderonde
