Before taking to the decks in Mumbai, trance ace Ben Gold speaks to The Sherp!
One of the most prolific trance artists of his generation, 26-year-old Ben Gold has been performing all across the globe from Miami to Australia and everywhere in between. He has also performed at A State Of Trance celebrations, Creamfields, Global Gathering and many more events. Over the weekend, he will be playing in Mumbai and Delhi. Here’s what the trance producer had to say about his first visit to India, being a part of several ASOT celebrations, and more…
The Sherp: Itβs your first time in India, how does it feel to be here?
Ben Gold: Fantastic.
Sherp: Growing up in the UK, what influenced your sound as you got your start?
BG: The Prodigy, John Askew, John O’Callaghan. I love the aggression and attitude these artists put in their music.
Sherp: Youβve played at ASOT 500, 550 & 600. How did it feel to be part of such a huge event?
BG: To be a part of any ASOT celebration is special. They are the biggest trance parties in the world. I always have a blast when playing a ASOT party, doesn’t matter where in the world, and on what stage.
Sherp: At what age did you start producing music?
BG: 16.
Sherp: If not a DJ, what would be your desired choice of career?
BG: Something in the food industry, probably a chef.
Sherp: If you could play back to back with any DJ for a night, who would it be and why?
BG: Markus Schulz. Like Markus, I have also played extended sets. I love taking the crowd on a journey with me. A 6-hour b2b with Markus would be alot of fun!
Sherp: Your biggest inspiration?
BG: The dance floor
Sherp: Biggest fail behind the console?
BG: Last year I closed the Gareth Emery show at Governors Island in New York. The show was sold out and also live on YouTube. To date, it is one of the hottest shows that I have done, which means it was very sweaty on stage. At the time, I felt more comfortable using the pioneer DJM 900 as opposed to the DJM 2000 that Gareth was using, so switched them around during my set. Usually, not a problem, but my forearm came into contact with the master volume on the mixer and in one movement turned the club-system down to almost zero. I had the monitors up in the DJ booth and was focussing on setting up the equipment, so wasn’t aware of this fail.
Sherp: Best moment behind the console?
BG: I think performing mainstage in Kuala Lumpur at ASOT600, when Armin appears on a huge screen behind the DJ, was a special moment.
Sherp: Do you have any rituals that you perform before playing a live set?
BG: Stretch and make sure my shoe laces are tight!
Β A big shout-out to Power Struggle for this exclusive interview!
(Image courtesy: Doug Van Sant)
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