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TheBeatRanch.com - Interviews - Ben Townsend


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Finishing off our April 2010 interviews we have Ben Townsend.

Coming from the city of Peterborough, Ben has really made a name for himself in the Hard House scene. With his stand out productions and kick ass DJing, Ben has played events such as Storm, Polysexual, Vicious Circle, Nu religion, Requiem, Cyberkitten to name a few. With 2010 looking good for Hard House, Ben is starting up his own label called SmallTown Records, which will feature not just himself, but some of the biggest names in Hard House.

Now with out any further ado, Ben Townsend

Welcome to The Beat Ranch Ben. You are no stranger over here as your tunes have been hammered out by many of us. Where are you from and how is the scene out there?

Thanks for having me! Glad my stuffs going down well with evveryone! Im from Peterborough, in the u.k, sadly not the greatest music scene around but in between all the major clubbing cities so not all bad. Hard house scene over here is really on the up at the moment, loads more positives than negatives, lot more people at the events for a start, Insomniacz is really helping things along, good to have them back! And the music being made is best is been in ages, some really talented people coming through the ranks. Had a local gig a few weeks ago and old clubbing friends came down, they all went off HH years ago, but all said music was great and will definately be Hard house clubbing again soon, hopefully more and more people will follow suite!

Do you remember your first hard house event and if so what was it?

It was at sundissential at the sanctuary, it made such an impact i ended up going every week for the next 2 years!

Did you pick DJing or producing first?

Djing, did, and always will come first.

Did you start with vinyl or was it all CDs?

Vinyl, moved my turntables and vinyl into the loft recently though as they never get used these days.

What is your preferred mixer and decks?

Cdj 1000's mk3, Djm 800

You have played at nights such as Storm, Polysexual, Vicious Circle, Nu religion, Requiem, Cyberkitten to name a few. When can people see you play out next?

Next event will be at Vicious circle vs Toolbox vs Hi Oktane, on May 2nd in Manchester, Click here for Facebook details

What tracks have not left your CD wallet in the last month?

Few of my new ones (obviously) Matt Edwards & Norm,ality - Dont rush it, Jody 6 - Green eggs & Ham and Valex - Just let go, also been loving some new bits from Dom & Leon Allen.

If you could play anywhere in the world, where would you like to play?

Full moon party in Thailand, went to my first one new for the new years eve, blew me away!

Who or what would you say has been an influence to your production?

Paul Glazby & Andy Farley, Ive been lucky enough to work with Andy a couple of times, Have been talking to Paul about doing something as well, watch this space!

Do you use an engineer to create your tracks and if so who?

Still using an engineer at the moment, just use Dom or Dave Owens these days, using the same people makes life easier as they get to know what your sounds about which can only be a good thing. Have just got a mac though, and am in the process of getting that set up with logic at the moment.

Your Toolkit came out earlier this year with some killer tunes! What new bits should people be on the look out for in the coming months?

Thanks very much! Been really busy in the studio recently, mainly individual tracks for my new lavel, also collabs with Farley & Leon Allen. Next projects include a remix of megatron for Vicious circle, a rework of mine and Gaz Gibsons ''the fix'' and collabs with Noo Noo and Gary O'Connor, and my girlfriend (Crampo) to do a follow up to fruity goodness.

You are starting your own label called Small Town Records. When will we see the first release and who will be on it?

First release should be end of May, tracklist will be....

Ben Townsend & Andy Farley - Burnt Out
Ben Townsend & Leon Allen - Kiss & Tell
Ben Townsend - Redtail

Defective Audio - Headtwist

Defective Audio - Oh Yeah, It's Wicked

Dave Owens - TBC

Steve Maynard - Outta The Picture

When you are not out raving what do you do for fun?

Lot of my spare time is spent raving/partying, although definately chilling out more these days. Love eating out, cinema, bowling etc. Also love fishing but dont get as much time for it these days.

You are stranded on a desert island and can only bring 1 album, 1 drink, and 1 food, what are they?

Album - Foo fighters greatest hits, been a huge fan for years. Food - Anything Thai. Drink - Jaques fruit cider, aka fruity goodness!

Any last words or shout outs?

See you on the dancefloor!