It’s almost been a year since Armin van Buuren brought A State of Trance 550 to Beyond Wonderland 2012. For those who have been waiting patiently for another album, you’re in luck. Van Buuren just announced that his fifth studio album, ‘Intense,’ will be released May 3. “It’s been an intense 2 years in the making. Being a perfectionist, some of these tracks have taken me months to finish,” van Buuren said. It’s been an honor to work with such talented artists, singers and songwriters.” Some of those artists include Arty and W&W.

While we don’t know all the artist collaborations just yet, what we do know is that ‘Intense’ will incorporate live orchestra and rock bands into the album. In addition, the album art cover is being unveiled slowly day by day, and the final reveal of the entire cover will take place March 7. Armada Music is next set to announce the “Intense” track-list and additional artist collaborations.

By Anum Khan

On March 17th, the world gathered at Beyond Wonderland to celebrate the achievements of Armin van Buuren as he reached 11 years of his A State of Trance radio show. In celebration of Armin’s milestone 550th ASOT episode, Armin took his ASOT event on a six date ceremony across five different countries - which was truly one for the record books.

Check out all of the Live Sets performed at the A State of Trance stage (Insomniac’s ‘Queen’s Domain’ stage) at Beyond Wonderland 2012:



















Stay posted for more Live Sets via the official Insomniac Events Soundcloud.

by Mixmag writer Kelly Alanbay

During his prolific 15-year career as a DJ and producer, Armin van Buuren has become a true legend. His Armin Only show on New Year’s Eve 2008-2009 managed to draw a crowd of 35,000 into the Los Angeles Sports Arena for one of the most magical nights in Los Angeles electronic music history. Armin’s weekly two hour radio show, A State of Trance, reaches an incredible 25 million listeners world wide.

Armin van Buuren returned to Southern California after a long absence from massives in the area to celebrate A State of Trance’s 550th episode, ASOT 550. Beyond Wonderland would become the fourth stop out of the six cities the ASOT 550 tour is set to visit in the month of March.

We grabbed him after his 550th episode at Beyond Wonderland to talk female DJs, radio and ‘that cancellation’.

Mixmag: Beyond Wonderland featuring ASOT 550 was amazing! Tell me about your experience.
AvB: I can’t believe it! Last night was so surreal. A Dutch comedian once said, “Only the crowd makes the night,” he said, “I was here at 7 o’clock when the doors weren’t open yet; there was no atmosphere but now I’m here and I think it’s nice that you guys are here.”

I think it’s important to realize as an artist that you’re nothing without your crowd, and I think the LA crowd is one of the best in the world, there’s something in the air here and there’s just so much passion for trance music here.

[Read on here.]

We’d like to give one final thank you to everyone who entered our Beyond Wonderland Tumblr contest. It has been an amazing reminder of the importance of this music and these events. We’ve shared your stories with the whole Insomniac team, and we’ve archived them for the future, so that they can be revisited and passed on. Plus, the success of this contest suggests that we should do it again, so stay up on our Tumblr page for more contests soon. Contests may also be held at bassrush.tumblr.com, the Tumblr page for our dubstep/dnb brand, Bassrush, so go follow us over there as well!

The winner for this last week is:

valentinaleft - Read her post here.

Valentinaleft described how EDC 2009 brought her neighborhood to life during times of social and economic hardship, and how she is inspired by Insomniac’s charitable outreach programs.

Armin van Buuren is arguably the most influential man in trance music - the guy is practically a living legend. Armin’s prolific career began at the young age of fourteen. He would spend his hard earned pay, which he made from working a paper route, on investing in new records. As his extensive collection of tracks grew, so did his commitment to music. “It’s not just love for music, it’s my passion. It goes beyond liking, and beyond a hobby, it’s about a way of living. Music is essential to my life.”

With a lifetime of achievements under his belt, it is nearly impossible to put anything beyond AvB. He has put out four phenomenal studio albums entitled: 76, Shivers, Imagine, and Mirage. His Imagine album placed at #1 on the Dutch Album Top 100 Chart. This is an accomplishment that no other dance producer has done before him. In 2003, Armin co-founded the Amsterdam-based label Armada Music, along with Maykel Piron and David Lewis. The Armada name came to be by joining the first two letters of each of the founding members’ first name [Ar-Ma-Da]. Armin was crowned #1 in the critically acclaimed DJ Mag Top 100 for four consecutive years (2007-2010). However, in 2011 Armin humbly stepped down from his throne as runner up to David Guetta - It was the 8th year Armin placed within the Top 3. Did I mention that he managed to achieve all of this while obtaining a degree in law?

It has been eleven years since Armin started his weekly A State of Trance radio show. ASOT currently reaches 15 million listeners tuning in from 26 different countries. The show is broadcasted across forty FM stations, satellite radio, internet radio and features 50 thousand downloads each week. Not to mention, winning the ‘Best Mix Radio Show’ award at the prestigious Winter Music Conference for five straight years. To this day, Armin continues to select, host, master and mix the show himself.

In commemoration of his 550th episode, Armin envisioned an event that would be extended to his fans on a global scale. The theme for Armin’s ASOT 550 is spreading the love for music. “I see it as my responsibility to promote trance as a genre and I want to support every single DJ, competition or no competition. Music should connect us.” Armin is definitely doing his part, taking his ASOT 550 show across five different countries for a six-date ceremony. Each event will be broadcasted to millions of listeners worldwide, giving everyone the opportunity to be a part of the celebration. “This is what makes A State of Trance 550 special; it’s not just a party in some venue but the whole world is joining the party!”

A State of Trance will be hosting Insomniac’s “Queen’s Domain” stage at Beyond Wonderland. Armin is bringing an armada of supporting talent with him, including Gareth Emery, Arty, John O’ Callaghan, Sied Van Riel, Shogun and Fei Fei. Be a part of the celebration, as we recognize the achievements of Armin van Buuren and his A State of Trance radio show.

Check out this recent ASOT 550 interview with Armin van Buuren here.

Not many people can say they have walked away from a Grammy winning career. Ali Shirazinia, along with former partner Sharam Tavebi (Sharam), did so when they split up from the progressive house duo Deep Dish.

Ali is an Iranian American DJ and producer that performs under the guise of Dubfire. Since Deep Dish’s break-up, Dubfire has ventured off into darker rhythms and obscure sounds; gravitating towards his “jet-black, polished-chrome techno.” His solo career is a huge step away from his earlier productions, being heavily influenced by minimal, techno, and house.

Dubfire will perform at Insomniac’s “Cheshire Woods” stage at Beyond Wonderland. The stage will feature techno and minimal’s elite including John Digweed, Adam Beyer, Chris Liebing, Green Velvet, Layo and Bushwacka, and Raiz.

Insomniac is raising the roof for these techno legends. The Citrus building at the NOS Event Center, home of the Cheshire Woods stage, has undergone recent renovations. The low drop ceiling has been removed, exposing the high-arched ceiling. This improvement will provide more space for production possibilities, furthering our ability to deliver a truly genuine experience.

Check out a few of Dubfire’s tracks:

“I Feel Speed” features vocals performed by Dubfire himself

Do you believe in fate? What if I told you Ward van der Harst and Willem van Hanegem owe their success to an unplanned meeting that took place at Trance Energy in 2007. As if preordained, Ward and Willem’s chance introduction transformed into a prolific musical partnership. Neither Ward nor Willem could foresee the impact they would create as they united to form W&W. In 2010, Armin van Buuren labeled W&W as the “rising stars of trance.” And boy was he right.

The Dutch trance duo have since lived up to their reputation. Their debut album Impact was a global hit, overflowing with high quality productions and remixes. The album is a testament to their avant-garde sound, landing punch after punch - hit upon hit - tastefully combining elements of trance, progressive and techno.

W&W has been voted by A State of Trance fans to represent Armin’s ASOT 550 event. Their track “Invasion” is the official ASOT 550 anthem. W&W’s energetic production will help celebrate the achievements of Armin van Buuren and 11 years of his A State of Trance radio show.

W&W invades Los Angeles, with Menno de Jong and Marcus Schossow, at The Exchange.

Date: Friday March 9th 2012 
Time: 9pm-3am
Location: Los Angeles, CA - The Exchange
Age Restriction: 21+

Buy Tickets

Check out the official music video to “Impact.”

The fans have spoken. Willem van Hanegem and Wardt van der Harst, known together as W&W, have been announced as the winners of Armin’s A State of Trance 550 Anthem Contest. The Dutch trance duo’s high energy track “Invasion” has been elected by the radio show’s listeners to represent the ASOT 550 event. Having captured the essence and spirit of the ASOT brand, the official theme will have the honor of being played at all six different shows.

The official music video for the ASOT Anthem is an animated extravaganza which features Armin’s ASOT ‘heroes.’ Their mission is simple. The friendly space invaders have arrived to planet Earth to unite the world with music. They do so by coming together, literally, as components of the A State of Trance movement. Overcoming rough terrain and enduring harsh weather conditions, these amiable characters are dedicated to their objective - spreading their love for music. The ASOT heroes risk all to make this philanthropic endeavor possible. And in the end, music prevails.

After great anticipation, the trailer for Beyond Wonderland 2012 is now available for viewing! The trailer draws us into Alice’s world of freaks and beasts as they party till the sun rises. Let’s get ready to do the same in just under three weeks!

Tracks:
“Kick Out the Epic Motherf**ker” by Dada Life
“Happy Violence” by Dada Life