Ruben de Ronde

Artwork Brendan de Clercq


De Reis van een DJ Tussen Hoogte- en Dieptepunten
Van Muzikale Droom naar Realiteit

Ruben de Ronde is living the dream of many young musicians. As a DJ and producer, he performs on the biggest stages in the world, from Ultra Music Festival to Tomorrowland. But behind the success lies a mental struggle that many artists in the dance industry recognize. The extreme highs of performing stand in stark contrast to the loneliness that can follow.

“One moment you’re playing for 15,000 people, the next you’re sitting alone in a hotel room,” says Ruben. “You go from a huge dopamine rush to complete silence. You have to learn to process that contrast.”


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Ruben de Ronde

Brendan de Clercq


De Reis van een DJ Tussen Hoogte- en Dieptepunten
Van Muzikale Droom naar Realiteit

Ruben de Ronde is living the dream of many young musicians. As a DJ and producer, he performs on the biggest stages in the world, from Ultra Music Festival to Tomorrowland. But behind the success lies a mental struggle that many artists in the dance industry recognize. The extreme highs of performing stand in stark contrast to the loneliness that can follow.

“One moment you’re playing for 15,000 people, the next you’re sitting alone in a hotel room,” says Ruben. “You go from a huge dopamine rush to complete silence. You have to learn to process that contrast.”



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Dealing with Rejection and Disappointment

The road to success is never without obstacles. Ruben knows all too well how painful it can be to pour your heart and soul into a track for months only to be rejected. “You work on a song for months, believe in it completely, and then you get no response or you hear that it’s ‘not good enough’.”


How does he deal with it? By talking about it. “In the beginning, I felt ashamed. You start doubting yourself: 'Am I not good enough?' But by talking to other artists, I realized that we all struggle with the same things. It’s nothing personal, it’s just part of the process.” Setting goals also helps. “I believe in manifesting. Not everything works out immediately — sometimes it takes years for a dream to come true. Playing at Tomorrowland was one such dream. And eventually, it happened.”


Learning to Enjoy the Moment

Despite his success, Ruben remains critical of himself. “The problem in the dance world is that everything moves so fast. You look forward to a gig for weeks, and before you know it, it’s over. Then the thought comes: 'Was this the last time? Will I ever come back here?' I need to learn to enjoy the moment more.”


Music as an Emotional Outlet

For Ruben, music is not just work, but also a way to process emotions. Interestingly, in his free time he doesn't listen to dance music, but to Norwegian pop. “My girlfriend is Norwegian, and their music is melancholic and pure. Artists like Maria Mena really touch me. When I’m not feeling well, that music helps me.”


A Supportive Network in the Dance World

The world of DJs can be lonely, but there is also a lot of mutual support. During the corona period, a WhatsApp group was formed with about 200 DJs, an initiative by Armin van Buuren. “Everyone struggled with the same mental challenges. Some felt useless without gigs, others suffered from depression or anxiety. We realized: we are not alone.”

Staying Mentally Balanced

For Ruben, it is essential to maintain his mental health. “Walking helps me enormously. Just getting away from the studio, the screens, and the hustle and bustle. Out into the open, to the beach or the woods.”

The discipline from his youth still plays a role as well. “As a child, I did judo. That taught me how to deal with setbacks and to persevere. That mindset still helps me.”


A Message for Young People

For young people struggling mentally, Ruben has a clear message: “You are not alone. Talking helps. There are always people who want to support you, even if it doesn't always feel that way. Seek help, share what you feel, and remember: it gets better.”

Cityscape

Photo by: John Doe