Ben Sims on respect, challenges and being ripped off

'I have strong feelings about what I like and don't like and I am always pushing to do things 'my way' and that's certainly a never ending challenge.' For going on a decade now Ben Sims has been steadily powering forward, leaving a trail of timeless techno behind him.

Electronica has many functions, one of which is to push your limits - to incorporate the unexpected and unfamiliar. It's
a road that Ben is finding himself on a lot more these days.

'Since the Killa Bite days I've moved away from doing only DJ tools and tried to add more to my music...spending more time on it and developing my sound.'

That sound to which Ben refers has come in many shapes and forms. With Killa Bite, Hardgroove, Ingoma, Native and Retrovert all having taken on personalities of their own, Ben is continually displaying his level of musical intelligence; proving he has a keen sense of inventiveness and is always willing to take risks.

Claiming to lose interest in his own productions rather quickly, its fortunate that Ben does at least give his creations the time needed for us to sit up and take notice. Cos lets face it, its becoming increasingly difficult for us to cram our record boxes with quality productions. A situation that Ben himself is all too familiar with.

'To be honest I really don't think the growing number of productions out there have helped any. The advances in computer technology have helped some already established producers push forward, but it has also created a lot of unwanted or unneeded labels and releases. There are now more techno releases than ever before but the quality is poor and sales all round are suffering…it's just too easy to rip off someone else's sound or style now.'

Too true, and in an age where ripping off peoples identities and accomplishments have become commonplace, it is the music industry that has suffered greatly. Whichever angle you care to take on the issue of illegal music downloads, (which there are many a justified position) for Ben it comes down to above all, a matter of respect.

'My dislike of sites like Napster is more to do with misrepresentation and issues with clubs that record my sets without my knowledge and then put it on the net or even sell it. I've heard sets where I know it wasn't me and sets where I had no monitors. Some sets should be just for that night, to suit that atmosphere and if they are available to the public then it should be me who decides that. On the other hand sites like deephousepage.com who have authorised mixes by all the kings of house are more of a history class in the progression of that genre. It would be great if techno had a site like that...done with respect to the DJ's or artists.'

When Ben gets behind the decks however, respect becomes as instinctual as breathing, and for those who have experienced a night with Ben Sims, you know what I'm talking about. An exchange of sounds, forms and effects, delivered without fault and presented in such a way that it leaves Melbourne's Shufflers all but turned inside out.

Even today Ben feels he has and still is evolving as a DJ. 'I tend to fuck about a lot less, I rarely use 2 copies of records anymore and now focus on a more multi layered style. 3 dex and fx cd player. It's still hiphop in attitude but people can dance more now.'

HipHop was how Ben discovered his passion, right about the time he was starring as an extra in a breakfast cereal commercial. He has since then been immersed in his world of powerfully affecting techno, remaining focussed and motivated.

'I play different parties, see great DJ's, hear new music, and buy old records…just being involved in this scene is enough to motivate me.'

Ben Sims plays WET009 this Saturday March 1st
DEX (formerly Billboards)
Tickets $31.50
This event will sell out