Johan Gielen discusses his return to Airscape, his new album, and more

A true staple and icon of the trance scene, Johan Gielen has been producing and touring the world for three decades. He has now returned to his alias, Airscape, for a brilliant new full length album.

Talking with Johan Gielen, one gets a sense of strength and certainty from his outlook and musical direction. With the release of Etherflow, his first full length album since 2006, he picks up with his Airscape alias for a beautiful collection of trance anthems.

What inspired you to return to the Airscape alias for this latest album?

Airscape is part of my musical DNA. It simply felt like the right time to return—not to rehash the past, but to tell a story that only Airscape can carry.

This album is a story of what we all experience in everyday life: loss, joy, healing, and the beautiful things in life.

How does the writing, production, and decision-making change from your regular solo work to the Airscape tracks?

Airscape lets me delve deeper into melody, emotion, and storytelling. “Travel Storytelling.” That completely changed my mindset in the studio when I produced this album.

Did you spend much time revisiting your old Airscape work going into and during the creation of this new album?

I definitely listened to it again, but mainly to feel the soul—not to copy it. The album looks forward much more than it looks back.

Did the return to Airscape begin with a single or two, or was the album always the goal?

The album was the goal from day one. Etherflow was deliberately composed as a whole. But not rushed, I took enough time until I was satisfied with the final result. Ultimately, it took two years to complete this.

Much of the inspiration for this album came from the passing of your friend and tour manager, Robert Sanders. Has the creation and release provided any comfort or closure for you?

Yes. Robert’s passing affected me deeply. Part of this album was written to process that loss. It was healing to translate those emotions into music. We all lose loved ones, but losing Robert felt like losing a good friend, brother, and companion. I will cherish all the years we traveled together around the world. He would have been so proud if he could have experienced this.

Were these brand new productions, or did you pull any pieces from previously unfinished Airscape ideas?

Everything on this album is completely new. I didn’t want to recycle old sketches—this project had to feel authentic to this moment in my life.

Was it daunting to create an album after not releasing a full-length work for so long?

Yes, but in a good way. Making an album takes courage and vision. It felt like a challenge I had to take on. Because one way or the other, music is the answer.

Can fans expect more music from Airscape in the future?

Absolutely. Etherflow isn’t a conclusion—it’s a new beginning. Besides this album, there will certainly be new productions and new remixes of the classics. Plenty to look forward to in 2026.

Are there plans for any Airscape-focused shows or tours?

My team and I are exploring various options. I’d love to bring this album to life visually and live in 2026. More information will follow soon.

How did collaborating with Arkayne (Kevin van der Tholen) help further shape the album and bring your ideas to life?

Kevin brought an enormous musical wealth to the project. His live instrumentation and songwriting elevated the project to a higher level.

Our collaboration on this album has added unprecedented value. My years of experience combined with his contemporary perspective on music was the perfect combination to deliver a diverse album.

With Arkayne being a multi-instrumentalist, did you feel freer to explore different sonic areas knowing he could perform them?

Absolutely. With him, I was able to develop ideas that wouldn’t normally fit into an electronic workflow. It gave the album more depth and authenticity.

Are there tracks and ideas that didn’t fit into the project that you are hoping to release in another fashion in the future?

Yes. There are some beautiful sketches that didn’t fit into the album flow. But they definitely have the Airscape feel, but with a broader, more contemporary feel. They’ll definitely see the light of day.

Besides Kevin, were there any others who contributed to the album?

Yes, I’d also like to thank the following people for their contributions to the Etherflow story:

Co Producers: Daniel Wanrooy, Shakespeakers, Brad Grobler, Pierre Pienaar, and not to forget the Vocalists: Katie Sky, Sarah Anglionin, Gid Sedgwick, Arkayne.

A team of amazing people who all understand the Airscape DNA and have therefore contributed to this album.

You’ve been a staple of the trance scene for over three decades. Are there any particular new trends or sounds that are exciting for you to witness?

The genre is evolving and becoming adventurous again—that inspires me enormously.

I’ll be producing more than just trance, much broader, and it’ll be more about the music, not the styles. I’m not someone who wants to be pigeonholed.

So, there’s plenty to look forward to in 2026 and beyond.

Lastly, do you want to say something to your fan base?

Yes, definitely, to all my fans worldwide. Thank you for all the support and love. I look forward to bringing you even more music and performances in the future.

With love, Johan Gielen

A big thank you to Johan Gielen for taking the time to speak with us. Listen to his beautiful return to Airscape and his new album, Etherflow, out now.