Biography

Beginnings

Virtanen started his career as an amateur musician while in high school, making music using his PC's tracker software. As his interest in music production rapidly grew (and his grades correspondingly dropped), he moved on to more serious production techniques.

Early career

Sandstorm was a smash hit in Finland, topping the Finnish Single Chart, selling platinum and holding the #1 spot on the Finnish Dance Chart for seventeen consecutive weeks. Word quickly spread about the track, which found global success. After becoming the #3 single in the United Kingdom (Becoming the first record by a Finnish artist to do so), Sandstorm eventually sold 2 million units worldwide, and was the world's biggest selling 12-inch record in 2000.

Recent developments

Darude began a successful world tour in 2001, releasing Before the Storm: Australian Tour Edition in the process. 2002 saw the release of Before the Storm: Special Edition, featuring a collection of remixes of Darude's work. Since the release of Rush, Darude has remained on the road, particularly the United States and Eastern Europe.

Anecdotes

According to a newspaper story, Darude once spotted the famous Finnish musician Kirka Babitzin in a train, and asked him for his autograph. Babitzin refused, saying "You're too young to like my music anyway. Why don't you go ask that Darude guy for his autograph?" Darude answered that that would be a bit too difficult, because he was himself Darude.

Discography

Albums

• 2000: "Before the Storm"
• 2002: "Before the Storm Special Edition"
• 2003: "Rush"

Singles

• 1999: "Sandstorm"
• 2000: "Feel the Beat"
• 2000: "Out of Control"
• 2001: "Out of Control (Back for More)"
• 2003: "Music"
• 2003: "Next to You"

Remixes

• 2000: Rising Star - "Touch Me (Darude Remix)"
• 2000: Rising Star - "Touch Me (Darude's Sandstorm Mix)"
• 2000: Blank and Jones - "Beyond Time (Darude vs. JS16 Remix)"
• 2000: DJ Alligator - "Blow My Sandstorm Whistle (Dj F.A.S.A. Mix)"
• 2000: Boom! - "Boy Versus Girls (Darude vs. JS16 Remix)"
• 2000: Barcode Brothers - "Dooh Dooh (Darude vs. JS16 Remix)"
• 2000: JDS - "Nine Ways (Darude vs. JS16 Remix)"
• 2000: Waldo's People - "No-Man's-Land (Darude vs. JS16 Remix)"
• 2000: Waldo's People - "1000 Ways (Darude vs. JS16 Remix)"
• 2000: ATB - "The Fields of Love (Darude Remix)"
• 2000: Bleachin' - "Peakin' (Darude vs. JS16 Short Version)"
• 2000: Bleachin' - "Peakin' (Darude vs. JS16 Long Version)"
• 2001: Safri Duo - "Played A-Live (The Bongo Song)(Darude vs. JS16 Remix)"
• 2001: The Thrillseekers - "Synaesthesia (Darude vs. JS16 Remix)"
• 2002: DJ Alligator Project - "Lollipop (Darude vs. JS16 Remix)"