SCOTT HARMS catches up with PAUL VAN DYK to talk about his latest tour and that guest vocal on his new album.

From his beginnings in the Berlin scene almost 20 years ago, he’s been mastering his craft as a DJ and producer. For An Angel was the track that propelled him to superstar status, a driving force behind trance’s big push in the late 1990s. Today, Paul van Dyk is a true legend of the electronic scene; when you hear him speak so passionately about music, it’s hard to imagine him anywhere but at the top. Now the man known as “PvD” is back with his new artist album, In Between.

Featuring 17 original tracks within one continuous mix, Paul describes the decision not to split the tracks as a response to the digital music revolution. “In the age of iTunes, the whole album idea is completely messed up – people are just downloading tracks three, four and five or something. For me, I’m still an album person. I created the continuous mix for people to actually be able to experience that and to listen to the whole album at once, in the way it was meant.”

In Between’s lead single is White Lies, the track and subsequent music video featuring the talents of Pussycat Dolls’ Jessica Sutta. While the cynics groan, Paul dismisses the notion that this was a commercial grab. “It’s not the case. If I would have done something to get the cheesy pop appeal, I would have gotten Kylie Minogue and made a different track. Jessica is the one who knows all about electronic music, she goes out clubbing and she loves it.”

Having recently lost his two-year hold on the #1 position in the DJ Mag Top 100, PvD remains grounded and doesn’t see it as a contest with his peers. At this year’s Global Gathering UK, he supported Ferry Corsten in the booth during a mid-set sound cut. “A few of us guys get along very well – Ferry is one of them,” he says. “I think between us it’s more a friendship and respect rather than... let’s say competition. There are others in the big-name league that just aren’t the nicest people on earth, and whether they are DJs or postmen, I wouldn’t necessarily be the best friends with them.”

Rather than expand on the mail delivery woes he may be having, I ask Paul about his recent Australian tour, where he fast became known as ‘the people’s DJ’ thanks to his touring of smaller towns and venues. In the past he’s played Canberra and Bendigo, while 2007 has seen him in Carins and Darwin. “Cairns was a fantastic gig,” he mentions. “I really found the way to pick them up and take them with me and my music. That’s always a challenge.”

Even after all these years, in between (no pun intended) promoting his album, hosting two weekly radio shows and managing his Vandit label, playing to an audience is still a special time for Paul van Dyk. It’s a time to, as he puts best, “celebrate the core of what electronic music is – a very peaceful, respectful, tolerant environment.”

In Between is out now through Liberation. www.paulvandyk.com

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