“I remember what they think of me”

Darude i.e. Ville Virtanen arrives for the interview straight from the airport with a suitcase. The DJ had a gig in Ireland the night before, and he got a measly four hours of sleep at night.

Traveling and long concert trips are routine for Virtanen’s spine, but are nevertheless physically demanding.

– I have noticed in the last few years that the recovery is slower than before. Sure, I have two kids who demand energy and attention when I get home. If I arrive home in the middle of the day, that day I have to persevere and the next day I can then take a longer nap, Virtanen sums up.

In the past, Virtanen wanted to get to the studio right after the gigs, but nowadays he rests more after the gigs.

The thing that unfortunately suffers because of gigs is eating. During the Irish gig, the diet consisted largely of protein bars and fruit, as there was no time for a proper meal.

– My raider consists of banana, apple and other small snacks. Real rocker snacks, Virtanen laughs.

Age crisis cleared up

In a year and a half, Virtanen will celebrate his 50th birthday, but he still feels like a young musician.

– That stubbornness of a 16-year-old won’t change for any reason. 50 is a big number, but I experienced a real age crisis when I was 30, Virtanen recalls.

However, Virtanen has never been able to stress aging more than that. Age brings with it life experience and Virtase feels like he is finally at peace with himself and his life.

– Knows himself better and is at peace with the things he is not completely satisfied with himself. Even though it used to be younger and prettier, today it’s more balanced and that’s more important, he continues.

The audience is also getting older

Virtanen notices his own aging in the audience of his concerts, although the audience is usually at least in their thirties.

– If the audience is full of adults, I think I could be their father. Then I remember what they think of me. I don’t necessarily always know how to relate to today’s 18-year-olds, and they can’t relate to me, Virtanen laughs.

Earlier, Virtanen stressed whether he would find a younger audience for his gigs. However, Virtanen feels that the matter has resolved itself in the last few years.

– A young audience has been found, so it’s not stress. Fortunately, my music has worked well for people of all ages both in Finland and abroad, he says.

Gratitude

One influential factor for the youth’s interest has been Darude’s biggest hit Sandstorm. Virtanen has not promoted the song himself for years, but thanks to the internet and social media, the song has become various memes at regular intervals.

– The music I play nowadays at gigs is not very different from Sandstorm. Even if some people only know Sandstrom from my production, they probably like other productions as well and enjoy the gigs.

Virtanen will release his fifth studio album at the beginning of November. The Together album is dedicated especially to Darude’s fans as a thank you for the concerts and the years they have been able to spend together.

Virtanen would like listeners to listen to the album from beginning to end, as the order of the album’s songs is carefully planned.

– The album has a few songs that are almost twenty years old. Some of the songs are from this year. I notice a certain red thread in the album myself and it would be great if someone else noticed it too, he sums up.

– I feel that I am still here because of the audience. I’m not going to end my career for years, but it’s pretty incredible that a hobby can become a life’s work and a career. People don’t necessarily internalize how much I think about them and am grateful to them. I appreciate you, Virtanen concludes.