1999 was a strange year. The world appeared to be on the brink of collapse thanks to the threat of Y2K. "The Matrix" and "Fight Club," two movies about alternate realities, were the top-grossing films. Myspace and Napster had just appeared on the scene, signaling the rise of the digital age. And somewhere in all of this, America was reeling from the drama of the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal and the Columbine shootings. It was altogether a weird, increasingly wired time.
It was also a strange year for Ville Virtanen, now better known as Finnish DJ and producer Darude. Then in his early 20s, Virtanen was attending university, working in an Apple store doing computer repair and going to clubs with his friends. He had only started to experiment with making computer-based music a few years earlier, but he didn't have serious intentions of becoming a professional DJ.
Then he dropped his single "Sandstorm" in late 1999 and everything changed.
"Sandstorm" went on to become a platinum-selling track. On Spotify, it's been played well over 54 million times. Even if you don't think you've heard "Sandstorm," trust me, you have.
It continues to be played at sporting events and summer camp dances, and it resurfaces every few months online in some new meme or viral video. It is a track that will not die. Although the song has become the butt of jokes in many circles, Virtanen ultimately got the last laugh. He rode the song's initial success and turned it into a full-blown DJ career.
"I didn't start making music until I was about 19 or 20 years old," Virtanen says. "I had my music classes, regular stuff at school. (I) tried to hit a drum here, play some piano there, like everybody else did, but our family wasn't that kind of musical family."
Virtanen always enjoyed dance music; he explored the genre and exchanged tracks with his friends beginning in high school. When he started university, he connected with new friends who showed him how to create music using computer programs, and Virtanen began experimenting with layers of sound.
"I realized that with the help of the computer, even with somewhat limited live playing abilities, I could still make music," Virtanen says.
Shortly after "Sandstorm's" debut, Virtanen found himself booked at shows around the world playing live DJ sets. Although he'd always been outgoing, Virtanen was surprised by how well he took to the craft and the stage.
"I grew to definitely love being the guy who is playing the music and performing. I kind of didn't know that I had that in me before I had the chance to try it out," Virtanen says. "It's not like I was shy or anything, even as a kid and teenager I was quite outgoing and stuff, but I didn't know I would be a performer."
At the time that "Sandstorm" dropped, Virtanen's biggest dream didn't extend beyond the borders of Finland. Since 2004, Virtanen has averaged at least 50 live DJ sets per year.
"My biggest dream was just to hear a local DJ spin a track that I made," says Virtanen, who burned some CDs and gave them to his local DJ friends.
"I was making music, I was having fun, I was still learning my way around making melodies and producing and mixing and whatnot," Virtanen says. "It was a hobby."
For those who don't follow the electronic dance music scene, it may seem that Virtanen eventually faded into cultural memory. However, the DJ has been busy developing and releasing new material for the past 17 years, with his most recent album, "Moments," dropping in 2015.
Although Virtanen's newer material has not reached the same level of commercial success as his first single, it is striking to listen to "Moments" and realize just how modern Virtanen's music is. In many ways, his latest work belongs on a top-40 radio station alongside the Chainsmokers and other modern electronic artists, complete with the bass drops and sound effects heard on popular EDM tracks.
In addition to his ongoing touring, Virtanen hopes to release several original tracks and collaborations in 2017. Although his early career was inspired by what he heard when he was out clubbing, Virtanen now follows his gut when writing his new material, absorbing inspiration from different sources and capturing particular moods and vibes.
"Now I hear parts of a track, or a sound — I think, 'I want to try that,' " Virtanen says. "I don't mean a musical content or copying anybody. Just a vibe or style that a track gives me. I want to marry my own beats with a certain style of trance or certain sound — but it's mainly the feeling."
Virtanen has been to Anchorage to DJ a live set twice before and is looking forward to his return. For those who are planning on attending, Virtanen notes that the set will be "energetic, uplifting and fun."
"I always am very animated and interactive," Virtanen says. "It's going to be sweat and smiles. A good interaction. I'm there to party with the people."
Darude
Where: Chilkoot Charlie's
When: Saturday, March 4 at 10 p.m.
Tickets: $20 at koots.com
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