Ben Sims - Let's Not Scare Off the New Generation

Despite all advances in technology, it's heartening to see that some people still prefer to use the ancient art of putting pen to paper. Before me are the handwritten answers to my questions from London based DJ/Producer Ben Sims and after much squinting over what closely resembled ancient Chinese characters, I deciphered what Ben had to say about his current sound, the future of techno and the legend that is Carl Cox.


Last time I spoke to you, you said how important it was for you to do things your way. Has what you have been doing over this past year been to your way of doing things-

Not totally, but it has been educational. Aside from the DJing aspect which is still very good as I'm lucky to be one of the few who hasn't been affected by the struggles of the scene. I've spent a lot of my time building the artist roster on 'Theory' and 'Ingoma' - which is hard as these aren't great times for record sales and I've also been focusing a lot on the parties I run with my girlfriend in London.

Where are you taking your sound at the moment-

Nowhere specific at the moment, it's pretty varied. I've been doing a lot of listening for my future LP. Lots of house, Chicago style jackin' stuff, as well as the usual 'Hardgroove' material.

Now that you have established yourself as an artist do you find you take more risks and push your limits even further-

I'm trying hard for that on the LP. I'm working on to reflect more of what I'm into and not just what people expect - so yes - I'm pushing and trying things that are new for me - vocals, melodies - non dance tracks.

Seeing great DJ's, hearing new music, and buying old records was enough to motivate you a while back, is that still the case today-

As always.

Have you found the problem of mass produced-poor quality tracks has improved, or should I say lessened any of late-

I think the strong will survive, in today's climate record sales can't entertain so many labels or artists. This is certainly a period of change. There are not huge profits to be made, so everyone should definitely think harder before they release anything.

Where would you like to see the techno sound heading in the future-

Backwards - The party atmosphere to be friendlier, more welcome. I'm bored shitless of purists. Yes we can all take it seriously but let's not scare off the new generation.

You are playing alongside Carl Cox in Australia, what do you admire most about Carl-

Carl's always been there. He used to play a lot of the big late 80's parties I went to and has been a solid ambassador for UK DJ's. I mean a lot of the other big names can't mix a fucking cake; Carl's been rocking 3 dex for years. People forget that, to me heritage is everything.

You always put a smile on the faces in the crowds when you are here in Melbourne, what have you got for us this time-

Lots of new bits. Plenty of classics and a stack of 'unofficial' remixes and edits.

Ben Sims plays Tech-ni-kal, Sydney, Friday December 5. Global Tour with Carl Cox, QBH Melbourne Saturday December 6 and Global Festival Perth, Sunday December 7.
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