Armin van Buuren

Zane Lowe· Host0:00

the Zane Lowe Interview Series Armin van Buuren, welcome to Apple. It's nice to see you.

Armin van Buuren· Guest0:03

It's good to be here. Thank you.

Zane Lowe· Host0:05

Of course. You know, you promised something radical recently. Were you referring to this?

Armin van Buuren· Guest0:08

Yep.

Zane Lowe· Host0:09

[laughs] Isn't it funny where radical is, like, some of the most thoughtful and delicate music you could probably make in your life, and it's the radical step. Um, there's so much to talk about. How do you feel right now? I know that you, y- y- you really are dedicated to the present moment.

Armin van Buuren· Guest0:22

I guess I'm a little nervous also.

Zane Lowe· Host0:24

Mm-hmm.

Armin van Buuren· Guest0:25

I feel like I'm back in, um, in high school again doing a big exam, you know, that kind of feeling. But, you know, e- uh, five and a half years ago I wasn't doing so well, and I guess this is the other, the other end of it.

Zane Lowe· Host0:36

Yeah.

Armin van Buuren· Guest0:36

I'm doing a lot better and, uh, you know, earlier this year I was on the cover of Men's Health Magazine- I know ... and now I'm presenting my, uh, my piano album. So it's, uh, yeah, it feels kinda surreal to sh- to share this, especially with you and being here and, and talking about this and trying- Yeah ... to say all these smart things about it. Mm.

Zane Lowe· Host0:53

You've said all the smart things in the music.

Armin van Buuren· Guest0:55

Maybe, yeah.

Zane Lowe· Host0:56

No, you can hear it, in my opinion, listening to it, that it comes from a very genuine and authentic place, that you've done the work, you know? That you understand the space in between the notes. It's not like, "I play piano now."

Armin van Buuren· Guest1:05

Exactly.

Zane Lowe· Host1:05

You know, what can I, what, um, what feeling can I emote here? Where c- where, where can I take myself and then share with others?

Armin van Buuren· Guest1:10

I think I n- first need to get rid of the imposter syndrome, I think, 'cause you're one of the f- uh, first people I'm a- actually talking about the piano album. 'Cause this has been a project five and a half years in the making, so, uh, and it feels very personal. I've never done such a thing. I mean, honestly, playing the piano, I feel more naked than on the cover of Men's Health Magazine.

Zane Lowe· Host1:29

Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.