DJ Q&A: Sander Van Doorn Brings His 'Darker, Tougher' Trance To Avalon Saturday

Love it or hate it, trance continues to dominate the biggest venues in club-land, from Electric Daisly Carnival to Avalon. While we revile the Jersey Shore-like cheese of some trance DJs, the latest euphoric juggernaut out of the Netherlands, Sander Van Doorn, we get.

He'll be headlining (a jam-packed, no doubt) Avalon Saturday. We recently asked him a few questions.

LA Weekly: For people who have a stereotype of trance as a form of symphonic overload, can you explain how your tech-trance sound is different and might put them at ease?

Van Doorn: Tech-trance is darker, tougher and more driving. It also incorporates elements from other dance genres like techno and tech-house that give the subtle touches that keep it interesting. I find it's a great middle ground that bridges the gap between trance and house, techno and electro. [It] makes DJing a lot more varied as well, so that's why you'll hear me playing a real mixed bag of tunes in my sets.

You seem to have risen to the top of the global DJ pyramid quite fast: What's been the fuel for your fire? Internet buzz? Touring? Producing?

It's gotta be producing. I love creating tracks! I'm originally a producer rather than a DJ, so I guess it's my first love. In terms of becoming successful I also think it's all about the tracks. You can tour as much as you like and have a 24 hour P.R. team working away, but without the tracks you are nothing.

In an age when its really hard to make money off of CDs (and probably quite profitable for you to tour), why is it important for you to put out a compilation like your latest Dusk Till Doorn?

Dusk till Doorn is great promotion for me as a DJ but also as a brand and club night. What better way to experience a concept without being there? It's all about the music after all!

Can you tell us about three tracks that are rocking your box these days?

-Steve Angello, "KNAS" (Size): This one really stands out as it's a more minimal on the elements yet has so much energy.
-4 Strings, "Sundown" (Spinnin): A combo of trance and progressive house, this track has a really emotive vibe.
Sander van Doorn, "Daddyrock:" Maybe this is shameless self-promotion but I'm playing this every set and its getting a really great reaction!

Listen to some of Van Doorn's DJ set's at his podcast page. Van Doorn brings his Dusk Till Doorn party Saturday to Avalon, 1735 N. Vine St., Hollywood. 21+. Info.