DJ Ron: One thing I keep reading about you is how you're not just a DJ, you're a performer. What do you do as a DJ more than just spinning records, what do you do to lead the crowd?
Gielen: Well I think if you go out and just play your records that it's not enough anymore. I think people that are going out want to be entertained and I always feel very comfortable when there is a very strong interaction between me and the crowd. I'm not a DJ who's always looking into his mixer, I want to have the interaction with the crowd because I'm getting a lot of energy from the crowd and I give a lot of energy back. That's probably one of the things which makes me different from the other ones.
DJ Ron: Which do you prefer - spinning smaller intimate clubs or playing the big arena events?
Gielen: I like both of them but to be very honest the small ones are most of the time better. Playing in an Amsterdam arena for forty thousand people is a wonderful thing and it's an amazing experience, but the contact between you and the people, forty thousand people and eight hundred people, there's a difference. I love both of them but if I really have to choose, I think the smaller ones are much stronger because you can touch the people with your music and they're much closer to you.
DJ Ron: I heard you're spinning Mystery Land with Paul Van Dyk. Have you two ever worked together before?
Gielen: I met Paul a few times already. He used one of my tracks on his mix album as well but we don't often see each other because he's very busy as well. It's an honor to be on the lineup with him as well as Marco V, Tiesto, Mogwai and Darren Emerson. It's really great, like a whole big family and I'm very happy that I've finally managed to the make it to this champion stage of the DJs.
DJ Ron: Thinking about Tiësto, what's your favorite Tiësto track?
Gielen: I have to be very, very honest. The last two months have been very difficult because I lost my mother yet I had to go on with my DJ sets. Tiesto's remix of "Adagio for Strings" is one of the special things that helped me through the recent time. I think "Love Comes Again" which he made with BT is strongest record he's made so far.
DJ Ron: What right now are your biggest records?
Gielen: My biggest record at the moment? That's a very, very tough question because there's a lot of big tunes at the moment that are around, like the new Filterheadz.
DJ Ron: It's a cruel question to ask a DJ.
Gielen: Yes, exactly. It's summertime and I have had so many white labels in the last couple of weeks and it's very hard to choose one particular record. The Filterheadz is probably one of them. Trancewise, I'm playing one of my new tracks which is going to be released after the summer and the reactions are very good.
DJ Ron: Any plans for you to come to the US any time soon?
Gielen: Well I'm there next Saturday actually. I'm leaving on Thursday, going first to Calgary and Friday night I'm in Vancouver. Saturday night I'm playing Spundae in Chicago.
DJ Ron: Do you notice any difference between US crowds and European crowds?
Gielen: Yes, there's a big difference. The US crowd is really ready for it at the moment, you can see that they have discovered something new and it's amazing the energy and feedback you get from them. A couple of weeks ago I was in Los Angeles for Spundae and it was probably one of the best nights so far this year for me. It's unbelievable. The crowd is so enthusiastic and full of energy. I have a lot of respect for the people in America, absolutely.
DJ Ron: One last question, what about swimming with dolphins inspires you so much?
Gielen: Well, the hectic lives we live with the airplanes, the hotels and never being at home, it takes a lot from you. I think I've got a connection with fish, I'm a diver. Once a year in January, I go for three weeks to the Maldives to relax and go diving there. I also love Curacao which is near Aruba and there we have the opportunity to dive with dolphins. I get this question in every interview, but it's very hard to explain. I think when you are underneath the water and the dolphin comes up to you, it gives you so much energy and it does something special with you. It's very hard to explain, you have to experience it for yourself actually.