When I started, DJs weren't in the media, electronic music wasn't in the sales charts and a DJ was the freak in the corner who provided the music while other people had fun. So to do it, you must have been a freak and a music lover.

I always say, "If you see something is wrong in your neighborhood, go ahead and change it. Don't wait for somebody else to do it." This is pretty much what I do.

I don't tell anyone what they should do (drugs). It's like this music is so full of power and energy you don't really need to take anything if you just open up and let the music take you.

Trance had become a dirty word. Thanks to Ian Van Dahl, Lasgo, Flip 'N' Fill and DJ Sammy, a generation of kids has grown up thinking trance is the shittiest music since country and western.

DJs should not be just pressing play with a USB stick, or getting wasted and throwing cake. I don't think [stunts like throwing cake] have anything to do with connecting with your audience. To me, it has no substantial creative value - it's just a waste of food.

Since the early days of humankind, dancing was always an expression of feeling good, and making someone feel good is the main intention of DJ'ing. I don't see the point of playing a record that makes people stand there, look at you and say “Umm, very interesting

I have my own charity organization in Berlin called Ruckenwind, which supports kids from - ya - not ideal backgrounds.