Poll 2012: Andrew Rayel | DJMag.com Skip to main content
Andrew Rayel
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Best known for: 
'Piano Man'!
Tune of the year: 
Jorn Van Deynhoven 'Headliner'
Breakthrough DJ/Producer of 2012: 
Alexander Popov
If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be: 
Transportation. It would save me a lot of airplane and airport time!
Should you play to the crowd or for yourself: 
Of course the crowd! To share my passion of music with them.
What does EDM mean to you: 
It's being able to share the passion of making trance music with the entire world; emotions and euphoria.
Should celebrities be DJs: 
If they are in it for the right reasons, for the passion and love of music, then why not?
Have you ever been thrown off the decks: 
Haha, not yet!
Are you a DJ if you don't beat match: 
You can't be a DJ if you can't beat match.
Where's the next dance music capital: 
Chisinau, Moldova

A trance up-and-comer from the Republic of Moldova who's broken into the Top 100 this year, Andrew Rayel counts the support he's received from his home country as one of his biggest inspirations.

However, he's also enjoyed a healthy boost after having his talent recognised by scene leader Armin van Buuren. Rayel has had several releases on the Dutchman's A State Of Trance label, as well as heavy rotation on the famous radio show of the same name. "Having the support of Armin van Buuren, who is an inspiration to myself and to the trance scene, is simply an honour," Rayel says. "With the massive reactions when my productions are played on A State Of Trance, it's definitely given me more confidence in myself as an artist.

" Barely out of his teens, it's nonetheless been a long journey already for Rayel, who's been producing for several years, and was drawn to dance music after completing seven years of musical studies. He cites classical music as one of the main inspirations in his tunes.

"It's why I use a lot of classical instruments in my tracks, like piano and strings, to help create a more euphoric atmosphere. The combination between trance sounds and classic melodies brings something innovative, and classical harmony is what I want to share with listeners."