Who are you and what is your artist name?
My name is Ben Hunt, and my artist name is, er, Ben Hunt. I was born in Birmingham, UK, but now live in Brighton on the South Coast.
What’s your background?
I spent a lot of my mid 20s – 30s DJing at parties, unsuccessfully trying to make it big. I all but put down the decks when my son was born in 2016, then took up production when the pandemic hit in 2020, and have been producing ever since.
How has your practice change over time
Aside from hopefully improving technically, starting out I didn’t really know what music I wanted to produce or have a signature sound, I think I’ve developed that a lot recently. I’d hope now someone could pick out a track as being mine, without them all sounding the same.
What music genre do you most identify with?
Acid. Don’t want to confine myself to one genre particularly, but I can’t resist a 303!
What themes do you pursue?
Not sure its a theme, but I usually try and strike a balance between banging and ethereal. Also tend to prefer lower BPMs – starting under 100 and rarely over 125.
What’s your scariest experience?
Playing my first Dj set after my son was born was pretty nerve racking as I’d sold my decks, been out of the game for a few years and forgot how everything worked. Soon came back though – like riding a bike.
What’s your favourite art work?
Too many to mention so I’ll stick to music. Daniels Avery’s Drone Logic is probably my favourite electronic album right now (though it changes daily)
Describe a real-life situation that inspired you?
My first clubbing experiences in my teens always stick with me, remember it being like nowhere else and wanting to be a part of it.
What’s your most embarrassing moment?
Music-wise, probably knocking a loose power cable whilst dancing behind the decks and switching off the entire sound system for a few minutes (felt like hours)
What jobs have you done other than being an artist?
I work as a video editor for my ‘proper’ job, so guess that’s a bit artistic too. I’ve also worked in lots of dead end office jobs so am very grateful to do something creative for a living.
Why music?
I’ve loved discovering new music since I was a kid. Doing something creative with it whether DJing or producing has always appealed.
What memorable responses have you had to your work?
Still early days, but remember after my first EP was released I was sent a video of one of my tracks being played on the dance floor and the clip was being used to promote a club night. I thought that was pretty cool!
What food, drink, song inspires you?
I’m quite a foodie, so I often name tracks after the last interesting thing I ate or restaurant I visited. Don’t always stick with the names though!
What do you like about your work?
Being able to escape the outside world and create something from nothing.
What makes you angry?
Lying politicians
What superpower would you have and why?
Flying would be pretty cool. I’d love to see more of the world but its hard to find the time.
Name something you love, and why.
My family. Because I have to say that (also because it’s true.)
Name something you hate, and why.
Current UK politics. No explanation necessary.
What is your dream project?
Releasing an album, collaborating with great artists, putting on a decent live show.
Name three artists that inspires you
Andrew Weatherall, Erol Alkan, Daniel Avery
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Don’t give up.
Professionally, what’s your goal?
Make a name for myself, however small a scene its in.
What wouldn’t you do without?
Coffee.
