Parties: Boom Monk Ben (Scotland) Live in SA - Interview

Bio / Press Release:

Armed with Serato, two quick hands and the most diverse crate of dance floor fillers you’ve heard, the Boom Monk has developed a sound and style that is undoubtedly his own. Having cemented his position as one of Glasgow’s most popular DJs, his Mixed Bizness club nights attract crowds of 800 people to the Glasgow Art School every week and continues to lead the way in one of the most vibrant and productive club scenes on the planet. As well as rocking his native Glasgow on the regular, Ben has caught the attention of clubs nationwide and further with appearances at the best clubs in Cape Town, Paris, Moscow, Gothenburg, London, Vigo, Ljubjlana, Liverpool, Belfast, Bristol, Edinburgh as well as the best festivals on the calendar including Rockness, The Big Chill, Bestival, Hydro-Connect, Copenhagen’s Public Service Festival and the VIP opening of The Middlesbrough Institute Of Modern Art. Boom Monk Ben continues to be booked for some of the biggest and best electronic music events around and as his reputation grows the list of suitors keeps expanding.

A frenzied fanatic of all things bass, the Boom Monk leaves no stone unturned and no sound unheard in his quest for dancefloor devastation. From hip hop, dancehall, funk and break beats to house, electro, dubstep and drum and bass, as long as it makes him, us and you move on the floor, then it will get put the through the blender in his imitable style.

The mighty Ninja Tune have been impressed enough to approach Ben to provide a series of "Boom Monk Zen" mixes for their world famous Solid Steel radio show, which is broadcast in 30 countries world wide. Met with universal support, Ben beat off competition from Mr Scruff, Kid Koala, Cut Chemist, DJ Format, MANDY, James Holden and many, many more to finish runner up in the Best Of 2006′ Solid Steel guest mix competition. He then went on to finish in 3rd place in 2007. As part of Ninja Tune’s 20th Anniversary the label and their Solid Steel DJ crew approached Ben to join their official ranks alongside Coldcut, DJ Food, DK, Kentaro and other new recruits Cheeba and DJ Moneyshot.

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Solid Steel and Ninja Tune favourite Boom Monk Ben returns to our side of the world this weekend. Though this time round, a date for Jozi has been included, while Capetonians will be welcoming him back with open arms. He has played with such international acclaimed dance music luminaries as DJ Food & DK, Fake Blood, Sinden, Greenskeepers, Krafty Kuts, Kid Koala, Mary Anne Hobbs, Bass Clef, Xxxchange, & Chromeo. Expect some oozing basslines that will wobble your gut and a selection eclectic enough to keep your fancy footwork down on some solid beats to match!

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We caught up with Boom Monk Ben's, erm... Ben, in anticipation of his 2 sets in South Africa this weekend and asked him a couple of questions. What a nice fellow we found!

How did you get into deejaying? What inspired you?

Ben: I first got into DJing through a potent blend of boredom and gaining access to my first student loans when I attended university. I was not having a great time, but had come into some money so needed something to occupy myself. I then heard Cut Chemist & DJ Shadow's "Brainfreeze" followed by DJ Food & DK's "Now, Listen" mix CD and I thought to myself "I don't know how they are doing that, but I want to have a go myself!"

You seem to be doing your own thing, and having a whole lot of fun at the same time. You don't only constantly DJ, but you have a couple of residencies running along with your own independent Music Promotion and Artist Agency. How has the learning process been with everything and how do you find the time to do it all?

Ben: It has been a steady, but sometimes harsh learning curve, but over the 5 years I have been working at it all; it has become easier to manage. All the work I do is inter-linked so each element feeds off the others so in some ways its not as hard as you might think. I am a one man band though, so it can be difficult to keep up with it all, but I am still as excited about my work as I was when I started out. That enthusiasm sees me through when it gets a little overwhelming. I will never tire of the work I do as long as people keep releasing exciting music to keep me hooked.

Are there any significant differences between your Mixed Bizness and How’s Your Party? nights?

Ben: Well both are committed to bringing fresh and exciting sounds to the people on the dance floors, but the main differences are the profile of acts that play the nights. The Mixed Bizness nights are mainly a platform for myself and the extended Mixed Bizness family to showcase our styles in all their myriad forms. Whether it be at our weekly bash at the Glasgow School of Art, or the guest spots we do at various venues around UK; the likes of myself, Cheeba, Jackmaster, Mungo's Hi Fi, Kazey, Hint et al have a dedicated crowd that are open minded and show plenty love for us and our styles. The How's Your Party? events are different in that they concentrate on bringing the higher profile and more famous names that inspire us and make the records we love to play to kids on the floor. DJs such as Sinden, A Trak, Fake Blood, Rusko and all the big names we have invited to rock our party are at home in Sub Club and having these two nights gives us a chance to do our thing, as well as bringing in the big guns to do theirs.

Which do you prefer, touring around for guestspots or residencies?

Ben: I like both in equal measures, but for different reasons. The residencies I do are amazing as they are the warm bosom of familiarity where I know what the kids on the dance floor want and they know what they are in for when they roll up to the club that night. It's great to have a presence in my home town and to be recognised for pushing exciting music to a receptive crowd. There's a family atmosphere that runs through our Mixed Bizness events in Scotland and I can't speak highly enough of our dedicated following that has built up over the years.

Guest spots are brilliant as well as I get to travel the world for free, playing my favourite records to pretty girls. Who would not like that?! Getting to meet like minded people who are in this business for the love of music and parties can never get boring and I count myself as being very lucky to have seen so many fantastic places and met so many brilliant people. At the same time it can be very tiring and frustrating to only see the inside of airports, clubs and hotels, but sometimes I get the chance to visit for more than a few hours and get a real feel for the places I get to visit. When I played in Cape Town last October I really enjoyed it, as I was there for 4 days and fell in love with the city and it's music scene.

Talk about sitting on the fence, eh?

You are based in Glasgow and we're very curious about the scenes over there. Glasgow has some heavyweights in various genres, from dance pioneers  Optimo, to great post-rock coming from the likes of Mogwai, through to chiptune artists like Firebrand Boy and stadium pop-prog rock 'n rollers Biffy Clyro. Could you please tell us a little more about the local dance scene over there?

Ben: The electronic music scene in Glasgow is incredible. We have such a tight knit community of DJs, promoters and producers and everyone inspires each other to push themselves and be as diverse and creative as we can. Established and world renowned club nights such as Optimo Espacio, Pressure, Test and Subculture, put the city on the map and recently the likes of Numbers, Mungos Hi Fi and dare I say Mixed Bizness have really set the pace for a fresh generation of club kids to get excited about. Its funny, but no coincidence, that the majority of these nights take place at Sub Club which is our party mecca and will be there long after we all are. The band scene in Glasgow has always been well known and respected but recently there have been a plethora of electronic producers that are at the top of their game and making big moves across the international scene. Hudson Mohawke, Rustie, Mungos Hi Fi, Optimo, The Revenge and Drums Of Death have all released big records and are really worth checking for at every opportunity.

So do you find people mingle between the different scenes going on or are people less open minded than that?

Ben: Definitely. Of course some people are blinkered in their tastes and stick to what they know or like, but on the whole the Glasgow scene is blessed with a crowd that are hungry for fresh and exciting sounds and will stop at nothing to feed their appetite. That's why genre defying nights like Mixed Bizness, Optimo Espacio and Numbers have become so popular. We are very lucky as Glasgow is not that big a city, but it has a rich heritage in going out and partying hard. It's no surprise that many of the world's biggest and best DJs consider it their favourite place to play.

Who are your favourite producers at the moment?

Ben: My favourite acts at the moment change with every day that dawns and my tastes are so broad that it's a really difficult question to answer. However today I'll say the ghetto bass of Schlachthofbronx, the electro booty hop of Thunderheist, the acid dancehall and searing techno of Modeselektor, the digital bashment of Toddla T and the subsonic wobbles of Benga rarely leave my record box. Special mention must also go to South African acts Mix N Blend, Liver, SFR and Playdoe who have been making some of the very best music to come from anywhere in recent months. I love their styles and always look forward to hearing their new music. You lot are really lucky to have them on your doorstep and should not take them for granted.

And live acts?

Ben: It depends really, but the guys I mentioned above are up there as the best on stage as well as behind the desk.

The crew at Solid Steel are doing great things for dance scenes all over the world. How did it feel to become an official Solid Steel and Ninja Tune DJ?

Ben: It was amazing and made me feel very proud. Ninja Tune and in particular Solid Steel DJs DJ Food & DK were a massive influence on me when I first started DJing. So when they first showed an interest in what I was doing it was really exciting and gave me lots of confidence in what I do. Their "Now Listen" and "Now Listen... Again" mix CDs set the bar for free flowing diverse DJ mixes and really inspired me when I first heard them. When they asked me to join their DJ team it was like a dream come true as I had went from being a big fan of theirs, to being considered an equal in their eyes.

Excluding the obvious reasons of not having to lug around heavy vinyls all over the place, what else have you found positive about the move from deejaying on vinyl to deejaying digitally?

Ben: I love vinyl as a format, but having moved over to Serato I could never go back. It opens so many doors creatively and removes many of the restrictions that are in place with using vinyl. The looping and live re-editing of tracks is the main creative avenue I like to go down when DJing and Serato makes that very easy. In terms of the music you can play it is limitless. A friend of mine can make a track that day and send it to me and I can play it that night. Also, as a DJ, I am not restricted by my abilities as a collector. There is something to be said for spending hours crate digging and hunting out those must have tracks for your set, but there is even more to be said for having access to almost every piece of music you could want and being able to play the set you want to play; rather than the set you are able to play depending on what records you are able to track down. Also, simple things like your records never skipping or being scratched are a nice extra. You're right though, not having to cart 25kg of records from city to city is a pleasure and one I am not willing to give up.

We found your "and we all know that’s cheating" blurb about using Ableton quite funny, but why Serato and not another program like Traktor?

Ben: It was the programme that looked like the one for me. To be honest I have never used Traktor so I can't say whether it's better or worse, but I have always been a big fan of Rane equipment and find it very user friendly and intuitive to the way I DJ and Serato is no exception. I wrote that blurb a couple of years ago and have actually softened my stance since then. As long as the music is good and the way it is played is creative I don't think it matters too much. Still, you can't beat a skilled DJ on the turntables that not only has the moves, but the beat to match.

Your tastes are varied and super eclectic, was this a conscious move or was it a natural progression? Do you try and cater for everyone; or do you like playing a little bit of everything 'cause you enjoy a lot of different music?

Ben: Simply, I just like lots of different kinds of music and am keen to explore them all in my DJ sets. I don't try to cater for everyone as that is impossible. I play bassy club music for the kids that take in hip hop, house, drum & bass, dubstep, digital dancehall, electro, breaks and loads more. It might seem that I will cater for all, but you have to be careful as you can just as easily alienate members of your audience as you can cater to them. I try to make sure there is a coherent thread running through my sets and I strive to create a natural progression through the styles and tempos. It can be hard, as sometimes it requires a leap of faith, but when you nail it, it can be really exciting for all. The fact I have a short attention span is a factor as well, I'm sure....

And what do you think is more important: reading a crowd or selection? Or do you consider they go hand in hand?

Ben: They both go hand in hand. A DJ will always be judged on their selection and how they put those tracks together. For big names it's easier as the crowd knows what they do and are there to get a taste of that particular sound. When Skream plays he does not have to read the crowd that much as it's a safe bet that everyone in the room wants to hear dubstep. For someone like myself who is nowhere near as well known, but lucky enough to get to play to lots of different crowds I need to be on my toes and try to cater accordingly as most people in the club may not be that familiar with what I do. Being part of Solid Steel means that most people know to expect something different and diverse, which is a good thing when it comes to my sets!

What was the best mix you've ever done; or what was the best one you've ever heard and wished you did?

Ben: I don't know which is the best mix I have ever done to be honest. I like them all as they are my favourite tracks compiled in an order I like, but I am also painfully aware of all the ways they can be improved. DJ Food & DK's 'Now Listen...Again' is incredible and is a real mosaic of modern music put together with skill and sensitivity and I can't recommend it enough. Also, you just can't beat EDMX's "Boogaloo" mix. If you don't know it then get to know it. It's lots of fun and makes everyone in the room instantly happy. My lovely girlfriend Rowan introduced me to it and now I can't get enough of it!

What do you enjoy listening to at home?

Ben: At home I listen to as broad selection as when I DJ, but usually a bit more chilled. Authentic New Orleans funk like Allen Toussaint, modern quirky folk stuff like Tunng and Beta Band, deep dubstep like Martyn and Kode 9, Studio One roots reggae, early 90s New York hip hop such as Organized Konfusion and Showbiz & AG...the list goes on. Anyone that knows me also knows that I have a bit of an obsession with Beck and Björk. Those two are untouchable. In fact the whole Mixed Bizness operation is named after a Beck song of the same name.

And your Top 5 Pity I Can't Play This Out songs at the moment?

Ben: Well, I am lucky enough to regularly play at least 4 hour sets at my Mixed Bizness nights, meaning I have the chance to play some weird and wonderful music at the start of the night when people are first arriving. I don't consider anything out of bounds as long as it's played at the right time and in the right context. How about a 'I Can't Believe He'd Play That Song Out, But He Does' list?

You prefer playing an extensive 3 - 4 hour set rather than an hour and a half one. What kind of rollercoaster ride can South Africans expect from your sets this weekend?

Ben: Well, the last time I played Cape Town the crowd loved the bass and I intend to give them plenty more of that. I like to DJ with energy and build sets from hip hop, dancehall, funk and break beats up through house, electro, disco, Baltimore club, dubstep, kuduro, kwaito and drum and bass before giving a gentle reprieve to send them on their way. It will be fun and asses will shake, of that we can be sure!

If there is anything you are extremely excited about at the moment that you would like to punt to our readers?

Ben: Check out the booty shaking electro hip hop of Montreal's Thunderheist and the wobbly tectonic beats of Munich's Schlachthofbronx. They are both brilliant and are set for big things in 2009.

Any advice for anyone wanting to become a DJ?

Ben: Keep your ears to the streets and keep searching for fresh music to keep you keen. Stay in school, kids!

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Catch Boom Monk Ben, live in South Africa this Friday, April 10, at Go-Go Bar in Newtown, Johannesburg (more info HERE); and Saturday, April 11 at Fiction in Cape Town (more info HERE).

Here's his most recent mix and a taste of what to expect:

Boom Monk Ben - Here's Ben, Ain't He Swell...? (Direct Link)

Tracklisting:

01. Mooquee - Polar Crunk (Good Groove)
02. Leisure Allstars - How We Roll feat The Good People (Substatic Remix)[Leisure]
03. South Rakkas Crew - Mad Again [Mad Decent]
04. Santogold - Say A-Ha (Tepr Remix)[Atlantic]
05. Heatwave - Things Change feat Warrior Queen (DJ C Remix)[Soul Jazz]
06. Jokers Of The Scene - Juggle It [Fools Gold]
07. CLP - Party Hardy feat Yo! Majesty [Shitkatapult]
08. A-Skillz & Krafty Kuts - Happiness [Finger Lickin]
09. Jon Ohms - King Of The Boots [Unreleased]
10. James Brown - Give It Up Or Turn It Loose (DJ Ayers Remix)[Unreleased]
11. DJ TaMeiL - Bump Like This [Unruly]
12. Boy 8 Bit - The Cricket Scores
     Midfield General - Disco Sirens (Acapella) [Skint]
13. Tittsworth - Broke Ass N*gga (DJ Assault Remix)[Plant Music]
14. Rob 3 - The Chase [Mad Decent]
15. Thunderheist - Jerk It [Big Dada]
16. The Qemists - Dem Na Like Me (Subscape Dub)[Ninja Tune]
17. Mix n Blend - Tantrum feat Sfr & Ej Von Lyrik [Unreleased]
18. Magnetic Man - The Cyberman [Unreleased]
19. SFR - Kwaito Mandla [Unreleased]
20. Schlachthofbronx - Good To Go [Unreleased]
21. 6Blocc - Never Scared [Unreleased]

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