On Fire 🔥
Ben Chandler High Energy Session
Episode 8/22
Ben Chandler
Ben Chandler brings the high energy with this latest mix session. Expect tracks from Alt8 and Echoes of October which made it into this cut which we might add was truly mixed on the fly - with little planning. Ben says he really enjoyed recording this podcast mix and we think that really is apparent when listening!
Artist Interview
...more often than not I’m building 3-4 layers of sound and atmospheres by looping and holding tracks in for longer...
Hi, Please introduce yourself to those unfamiliar with your DJ life.
Hi Little South, I’m Ben Chandler, i’m 31 and i’m from North Cornwall. I’ve loved electronic music since secondary school, it started with Trance/Hardhouse and other various genres but i’ve actually being a part of the South West electronic music scene for over 10 years now, but have been immersed in the local techno scene for the last 5 years or so and have now happily found myself to be a part of the Cornish based techno brand SiN (strength in numbers) which was founded by my very talented friend and DJ ‘Simmer’ alongside an amazing group of friends and resident DJs (Dave Hunt, Pat McGrath and Jewel).
Over the past 4-5 years SiN have played and held stages at some of the South Wests finest underground parties and festivals including: The Masked Ball, Frendzy, Kynance Party, Lizard Party and other private parties and secret events but more recently the fantastic ‘Orbital Gathering’ where we at SiN will all be playing again in August (get your tickets here www.orbitalgathering.co.uk you don’t want to miss this one) It’s ran by our good friend Paul ‘Jinal’ Bevan who’s an absolute local hero of the scene in Kernow.
SiN definitely bring the proper techno sound to Cornwall and i feel proud to be a part of the crew here in the deep depths of Cornwall, I also feel equally fortunate enough to have shared the stage across the country at various locations with techno heavyweights Gary Beck, Spektre and The Yellowheads in previous years, but i have to say, last years Halloween Masked Ball at Flambards was one of the best parties i’d ever played at, the room was at capacity from very early on and as it was the first one in at least 2 years the whole crowd was so up for it right from the off, with a banging rig from Jack at Jam First Soundsystem. i played 1-3am just before Simmer and it was absolutely rocking then we ended up closing it together, i can thank my good friends and crew Simmer, Sloan Ranger and Jinal for the opportunity for that one, it really got me motivated after such a long time away due to covid.
Describe your DJ sound.
I feel over the last 2 years my sound has evolved and progressed quite substantially to be fair, whereas it seems now lots of ‘big name’ or ‘mainstream’ techno DJs and producers are toning it down or mellowing out bit, I’m yearning for the energy and the drive behind it. I always try to use my experiences from being a raver myself on the dancefloor at various big festivals and parties around the world, i try replicate the feeling and energy that the music gives me into my dj sets. Currently the DJs I’m really into are DJ Rush, Speedy J, 999999999, Luke Slater, Setaoc Mass, Richie Hawtin and many more. if i could describe my dj sound in 3 words it would be: Trippy, Tough, Energy but up until around 2 years ago i struggled for a while to mimic the sounds and feelings i got from my favourite DJs when i was just mixing one track into the next with 2 tracks, this evolution in my sound came from upgrading my setup in my studio which now consists of 3 CDJs and my RMX1000 unit so more often than not I’m building 3-4 layers of sound and atmospheres by looping and holding tracks in for longer that in my opinion really add to the whole listening experience and keep me involved more.
It's all on the fly, i don’t really pre plan...
Tell us how you have kept busy during the last year or so of lockdowns.
At the beginning of the first lockdown, i used my construction cridentials to build myself a music studio/hideaway room in the back of one of our garages, i went to town on it with lots of soundproofing and acoustic methods and my god did it pay off, its the perfect space to have the rest of the SiN residents over to have a mix, record a session or just go B2B and let loose for a while. Definitely time well spent when everything was shut. I also took a college course in my spare time in Music Production which was great, I’m slowly getting more confident and once I get settled in my new place I’ll have more time to focus on this next major step in what I want to achieve. I also spent a lot of time walking and exploring the coastline and just being quite active.
Talk us through this podcast episode and why you have chosen to include the tracks that have made the cut.
So in this podcast i really felt inspired by a certain gig i went to on my birthday last November, it was at Motion at Bristol with Rebekah, i Hate Models, Wallis, Hector Oaks and 999999999 playing i knew it was going to be pounding. It blew my mind, as we arrived it was around 11am (warmup territory by anyone standards) but it was already going off at about 140bpm and the energy in that room and the crowd was electric and it kept going. So in this podcast i wanted to try and get the energy across early on, with track from a few well know artists like Perc and Setaoc Mass. Also lots of tracks from some not so well known artists and labels who i recently discovered such as Alt8 with the 145bpm bouncy baseline of ‘Mind Control’ and Echoes of October who’s track ‘Hektik’ is an absolute stomper. It's all on the fly, i don’t really pre plan as such, just a playlist with ample tracks in it and go from there. I really enjoyed recording this podcast and i hope you have a big system or some decent headphones to get stuck into it.
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About us
Little South is where the artists come to play - created with the goal of supporting and promoting local DJs and Producers in West Cornwall, UK, who specialize in various genres of dance music. The enthusiastic response from the Cornish nightlife community was overwhelming, allowing Little South to become a crucial platform for local artists seeking exposure at events. As time went on, our reach expanded beyond Cornwall and encompassed artists and events from across the entire South West of England, UK.
One of our defining features has been the opportunity to showcase DJ mixes through our podcast series. Since our establishment, we have actively published podcast mixes from some of the most talented DJs in the South West. These mixes serve as a testament to the exceptional skills and creativity of our region's DJs, providing a platform for them to showcase their talent to a wider audience.
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At Little South, we have a strong commitment to nurturing nightlife and live music events. A crucial aspect of our work is event promotion, which we prioritize and strive to excel at.
Our dedicated team actively seeks out localized, independent music events to showcase and promote. Additionally, we proudly provide a platform for major events happening throughout the South West region, including specialist music festivals and large capacity live music events.
By actively supporting and promoting these events, we aim to contribute to a thriving music scene and ensure that both local artists and established acts receive the recognition they deserve.
Support for artists
The Little South pages serve as a platform for emerging musical talent in the South West of England. Our goal is to encourage, foster relationships, and provide opportunities for new artists to showcase their sounds and events. We support DJs, Producers, and Vocalists of all genres within the electronic music landscape. If you are interested in being featured on our pages, we warmly welcome your expressions of interest.
Little South - Where the artists come to play. Dedicated to promoting and bolstering the live music scene and vibrant nightlife in Cornwall, Devon, as well as the broader South West region of England.#southwestnightlife
Where the artists come to play.
Little South - Where the artists come to play.
