TF Archives

The very rhythmic Ben Cromack plays Honkytonks

Author: Sara Giampa
Thursday, November 13, 2003
The name Ben Cromack has been prominent on many a flyer in Melbourne over the past four years, from being a side room addition to becoming a permanent fixture at all large scale techno parties and small circuit club nights. The growth in popularity and adoration for this humble Australian local has been one of fast and steady increase. His ardour for the music and dj aesthetic is an inspiration to those who were there before him and to those who follow - a passionate being, who gives his all, each and every time.

Ben's musical influences range from one end of the musical scale to the other, all of which have fashioned his tastes in electronic music and his artistic djing style. From Hip Hop to Punk & Metal in his early days right through to learning about the rhythm and soul in music, due to listening to the forefathers of Funk and Jazz; such as James Brown and Dizzy Gillespie. After attending his first dance party, Techno had reeled him in and he quickly took up djing as a hobby, the rest they say is history.

Due to working at various records shops in the past couple of years, punters have always been guaranteed to hear something new when Ben takes to the decks. "I think it is good to mix the old and the new together, to create people's interest you have to create something new, its like if you have seen a movie before it is not gonna have the same affect on you as the first time you've seen it." His sound is forever evolving and changing within the vast walls of Techno & House and his chameleon like approach to rocking a party is exactly the reason why he has appealed to so many people with very different views and tastes in electronic spectrum.

Ben found it very difficult to answer the question - Can you describe your sound- "Very rhythmic in nature, it depends on how I feel, where I am, who I am playing to, the environment. There has to be something prevalent in my music and I think its soulful, natural, earthy, with a lot of movement."

With many djs that try to push boundaries and present a more innovative approach to music, very often they can lose sight of the dancefloor and forget about what they initially set out to do - which is to move the bodies on the floor and help create a party atmosphere. From Ben's residency at Fokus to special guest sets at Teriyaki to an rockin the Honkytonks piano, his ability to adapt to his surroundings, and to read what the crowd is after without compromising his sound and his overall imaginative output; is a value that has allowed him to reach such a wide audience in Melbourne.

"Interaction is essentially what it is all about, people are there because they want to party, they want to have a good time and hear something different and unique, and that is what I am trying to do, present something different and make sure people still have a good time, I guess it is a reflection of the sort of person that - I like to party, I like to see people dance, I like to make people dance and I like to dance myself, so yeah my sets are definitely dancefloor orientated but at the same time to create an experience you have to give them something different to dance to."

The most exciting thing about a Ben Cromack dj set, is the unknown direction - where will he take you, what are you going to hear- Who knows- One thing is for certain; he never fails to appreciate the punters response and rock the dancefloor.

Ben Cromack
Friday 21st November
Honkytonks
Support: Mr Geoffrey, Boogs, Mahi

Tags