Signum and A State of Trance go back a long time. Dutchmen Pascal Minnaard and Ron Hagen had their first release in 1997, and their first ASOT release about 6 years later. ‘Push Through’, the 4th release of the label, grew out to be one of trance’s ultimate classics and was hammered in the A State of Trance radioshow. But more was on the way. It’s safe to say that Signum, being responsible for more than 17 trance bangers that have kept the genre alive over the past decade, are more than just part of the ASOT playlist. They’re regular listeners, admirers and above all fan of the show. Signum’s part of the furniture, and therefore it’s no surprise they’ll be celebrating along with all the other listeners, by giving away a smashing set in Germany’s Club Butan. Time for a little flashback into the past 8 years with these 2 trance masterminds.
The show has been running for 8 years already. Have you guys been listening to it from the beginning?
Ron: “I’ve been listening to it every now and then for the past 8 years, and it started for me when it was being broadcasted, on ID-T radio. I was always ‘jealous'(In the good sense of the word of course) of Armin, for him always having the hottest and newest tunes weeks in advance, before I could finally buy them in the stores, haha! Almost caught up with him, on getting stuff up front. I still remember that it was something quite unique, cause there weren’t that many trance minded radio shows on in that period. In fact I think he was the pioneer of it all!”
Pascal:“It’s a bit the same for me. I listen to it whenever I have the chance. Back in the beginning there was no internet radio yet so it made it kind of hard to follow it every time but now I follow it as much as I can. I remember we were always so excited whenever he played a new track of us because that was the moment people all over the world would hear it for the first time, and after 8 years we still got that. So that says enough I think!”
What is ‘a state of trance’ to you?
Ron:“For me a state of trance is floating away with your eyes closed, on all beautiful melodies and atmospheres, and being taken on a mental ride, and escape all day’s reality. While with dj’ing it’s the kick you get from playing that special tune, you really want to play so bad, and seeing that crowd react! The crowd will always get the DJ in a state of trance as well!”
Pascal:” Hearing that special melody for the first time and getting goosebumps allover…and being taken away by it. It’s all about the emotions it gives you and there’s only one type of music that can get you into that state..and that is trance music!”
You guys are playing at the German ASOT 400. What can we expect of your set there?
Signum: “We’ve sorted out the best of 8 years of reggae! So that will be top notch that evening! Okay just kidding. Of course you can expect a wicked trance set with the Signum twist and vibe, and some big premieres of our coming album, so double the celebration!”
Any other exciting stuff going on we should know about?
Ron: “Well things seem to finally be rolling again. Our radio show Xposed is still climbing in listeners every month, we’ve got a lot of studio mojo a the moment, and one great track after another is flying out of both studios! And we’re saving up all tracks for the album. Eventually, we want to make a selection together with Armada, with what’s suited and what not! So very exciting times! Also loads of cool gigs, which you can check at our myspace until our new website has finished.”
Pascal: “We are working very hard on our album right now. And despite the fact we’re doing this from 2 different countries , it seems to work out pretty good and it’s going very well so far. We are also busy doing collaborations with other big names in the trance scene and we’re very honoured that they want to work with us, so you can expect a lot of massive tunes coming up! We want the album to be very diverse and we want it to be perfect, and that takes time. But we’ll get it done! Also loads of cool gigs and of course when the album is done we plan to do a special album tour.”
Is there anything you guys would like to say to Armin?
Signum: “Hey Armin, congrats, congrats and of course congrats! For reaching a milestone in the history of trance music!! You know, in the Guinness book of records, there are all kinds of records, for instance the longest running soap! It would be massive if you would get in there one day, with the achievement of longest running trance radio show, in the world! We can only say: keep it up! We, and probably all those other millions of listeners, would love to hear you for another 8 years and more!!”
For more info on Signum, check www.myspace.com/signumdjs
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