10 Questions 2 – P-Ben

01. Hi, P-Ben thanks for taking the time out to chat with us via email. Can you tell us about your music history, do you have formal training, maybe something many people don’t know about you?

My interest in electronic music started early in the ’90s when I was influenced by big artists like Vangelis, Pink Floyd, Eric Serra among other artists. It was in ’97 where my interest went to the Mix-Up compilations by Jeff Mills, Derrick May and Fumiya Tanaka. At that time period, my interest in techno in my life became a huge part of my life. Early in the 2000 era, I started to buy equipment for my music productions. I got so inspired by Detroit artists, I learned a lot about their music and started to produce my own music. My Father and brothers were by the way also musicians, so I guess music runs in the family.

02. How did you get into the techno scene and what are your first memories of techno music?

I started mixing at a very young age and in that time period, I did a lot of gigs at rave parties in my area and regions. But it was really in 2013 when opportunities

I started mixing young at the time of raves in many regions, but it was really in 2013 when I did a Josh Wink remix on Ovum records that I was quickly propelled on the international scene. My first memories are when my brother brings the Technics turntable at home, with the first vinyl of techno.

03. Where do you see the techno scene in 10 years? And how do you see yourself in 10 years within the scene?

At the beginning of electronic music, there was not as much different style as now. I think that in 10 years it will get worse. There will be no more techno scene, there will be only a multitude of electronic sub-genre. Personally I think that in 10 years I will continue to produce tracks always in the same style, Underground spirit and I will always keep in me the techno of Detroit as a source of inspiration.

04. Where do you most enjoying playing? Crowdy festival places or more intimate clubs?

This is two different places to play, my best memories are in Clubs, the atmosphere of madness for sure, you can experience new and more creative things in the club that you cannot afford in festivals. the relationship with people at the festival is different but the places are often very impressive and the experience as an artist very rewarding!

05. Do you prefer to play live/Dj or is it all about music production?

DJ ! of course, I have a quote from Derrick May in my head that never leaves me which says “I learned to make music with music, to sing and speak the records between them “That’s what I always knew do better, create a new and innovative thing by mixing discs

06. Tell us the proudest moment in your career to date?

I am proud to have been the last artist to have played at the air club in Tokyo, it will remain for me an unforgettable memory

07. What music/genres do you listen to when you’re at home?

I don’t listen to too much techno, right now I listen a lot to Paul Mac Cartney, lol

08. Normally at this point in the interview, we would ask “What parties and festivals should we not miss this year?”
But, unfortunately with the Corona Virus pandemic that’s happening all over the globe right now, we want to ask you how you are doing personally and professionally, how are your family and friends doing in these difficult times and how badly has it affected your gigs for the upcoming weeks/months?

As a large number of people I remain confined to my home with my wife and my son, this allows me to have time to refocus on my work in the studio, I saw it rather well in the end. Right now, I bring out all my old vinyl, I regularly offer live streams on my Facebook page, vinyl mixes from the 90s and 2000s, I take great pleasure in listening to them

09. Do you have any does or don’ts regarding tips for upcoming talents?

do what you like musically without asking questions, listen to your heart, don’t try to copy or let yourself be influenced by fashion. Creativity has always been for me the source of art.

10. Can you tell us more about your plans for the coming 12 Months? Do you have any new productions/collaborations projects?

I have some new future releases on the French label of Marc Ayat A-Traction, the label of my Friend Franki Junkaj Motech from Detroit as well as my own label Groove Factory

To connect with P-Ben on social media: https://facebook.com/pbenofficial/

To read more of our 10 Questions 2 go here: https://technoscene.eu/10questions2/