We catch up with Ben Stevens just after the release of his phenomenal remix of Dave Holmes’ Samsara and in advance of one of Untidy’s forthcoming releases which is rumoured to be somewhat of an animal!
From being a bedroom DJ to becoming the head honcho at Vicious Circle, Fireball and Toolbox Digital, as well as Tidy label manager is something of an achievement… how did you manage to pull it off?
I’d like to hope it was from lots of hard work and love of the music but I would say there is a percentage of meeting the right people in there as well. I spent almost every weekend travelling up and down the country going to as many club events as possible. Mainly this was just to have nights out and enjoy myself but it also enabled me to meet lots of people that were working in the genre.
Describe your sound in five words…
Hard, energetic, uplifting, fast and fun
Can you remember what the first record you every bought was?
I think the very first music I bought was Babylon Zoo – Spaceman (Cringe)
Hard and ferocious or tough and chunky?
I think there is a time and a place for both. I’ve got little interest in a night that has the same music all the way through. Starting off tough and chunky and progressing up to hard and ferocious is perfect for me. Hard House has such a variation in both the sound and bpm and that’s one of the reasons I love it so much.
What really pisses you off?
Rude people, literally no need for it
Which DJs do it for you?
Andy Farley, Sam Townend, Carl Cox, Adam M, Justin Bourne
Chinese or Indian?
A very difficult question to answer as they are both great. I’ll throw a curveball in there and say Thai, it’s definitely my favourite food as it’s so fresh.
What makes you Rise?
Coffee
What has been your best clubbing experience?
I’ve had some of my favourite clubbing experiences at the Tidy Weekenders. They are such a great social event for all the clubbers, DJs and staff. All my friends are there and they are always a fantastic weekend. More recently I’ve loved going out to the Pure Andy Farley events in London each year. Andy programmes the perfect music over the ten hour set that he does. I’ll certainly go to these events each year as long as they run for!
Are you really vicious or nice as pie?
I’m lovely really unless you piss me off (which does take quite a lot to happen)
Would you ride a Fireball like Miley Cyrus rode a wrecking ball?
Why not, I’d look fantastic!
Where is your Paradise?
On the beach in Thailand
What is the secret behind your success?
Constant hard work but not taking yourself too seriously
Finally where would you take me back to?
The main room at Pontins Prestatyn, 1am on a Sunday morning!
Download & Stream this Ben Stevens’ remix of Dave Holmes Samsara here: https://tidytrax.fanlink.to/Samsara-B…
