Gatecrasher catch up with Ferry Corsten, ahead of his 3 hour set at the Gatecrasher's 15th Birthday event, at their spiritual home in Sheffield.

GC: Described as the "architect, pioneer and instigator" of trance, what are your thoughts on the scene as a whole?

Ferry: Trance has come a long way since it’s heyday in the late nineties. It has gone through a phase of progressive, harder , electro and it looks like it’s slowly going back to it roots. In my opinion, if done right, trance is the most innovative music genre out there.

GC: With numerous Dutch Gold awards and UK Top 40 hits for your productions, which are you more, a DJ or a Producer?

Ferry: -In the beginning, I used to say that I was more of a producer than a DJ. I was lucky to break into the scene through the success of my own music productions in the late nineties. However, due to that success, I was able to release a number of compilations called Trance Nation with Ministry of Sound which kicked off my career as a DJ. After all these years, I would say that I am definitely both… a producer and a DJ. I spend just as much time (sometimes even more due to travelling ) DJing as I have sitting in the studio late at night to finish a track. The difference nowadays, is that I work on my productions a lot on the road as I do not have the luxury to wait to get home to start on a track.

GC: With such a hectic schedule, how does Ferry Corsten unwind and relax?

Ferry: When you´re really busy, you really get to enjoy the simple things in life. I am so happy when I get to come home, hang in my own couch, sleep in my own bed, and eat a great home cooked meal.

GC: What is your current top 5?

Ferry: 
1. Masters & Nickson ft. Justine Suissa - 5Th Dimension (Daniel Kandi Bangin' Mix)
2. Off Key - Showdown (Ali Wilson & Scott Attrill Remix)
3. Re:Locate & Menno de Jong – Spirit (Paul Miller 2008 Rework)
4. Embrace – Embrace (Ferry Fix)
5. Solarstone - 4Ever

GC: What piece of advice would you give to any DJ aspiring to be the next Ferry Corsten?

Ferry: I always tell people to trust themselves and to follow their own path. You can be successful in copying other people but you can have success and earn a lot more respect if you do things in your own unique way.

GC: Which DJs do you predict to be hot for 2008/09?

Ferry: I’ve been pretty impressed with the last productions and DJ sets of Bart Claessen. He’s been putting out some real powerful productions and remixes. Casey Keyworth "Breakfast" has been travelling with me on a couple of tours now and I’m very impressed with his DJ skills and of course his productions.

GC: You have played for Gatecrasher on numerous occasions, most recently at the Gatecrasher Resurrection at Magna in March. You will be back to headline their 15th Birthday Event back in their spiritual home of Sheffield. Why do you think Gatecrasher have continued to be successful after so many years?

Ferry: Gatecrasher has continued to be successful after so many years because they have managed to work with the times. Whereas a lot of brands have fallen off the map or are struggling to keep up with the way big shows are produced nowadays, Gatecrasher has persevered.

GC: You have always had a special relationship with the crowd at Gatecrasher. What makes it so special?

Ferry: I guess because Gatecrasher was one of those clubs that helped make trance music the success . it is today. I was looking at a Gatecrasher Classic CD a few months back and saw how many of my production contributed to that classic CD.

GC: What can the Gatecrasher crowd expect from you at the 15th Birthday event?

Ferry: 3 hours of massive energy.

GC: What is Ferry Corsten up to for the rest of 2008 and moving into the New Year?

Ferry: I am working very hard to finish my latest artist album taking a bit of time off after that to enjoy some important things in life