Ben Champell´s sound is a mix of dark pressing techno beats and hooking melodic tech-house tunes all in a lower range of speed than techno music is usually played. He is calling it “Downtempo Techno”.
Within the past years Ben released his tracks & remixes on labels like Funkn´Deep, Natura Viva, Complexed Records or Stick Recordingsto name only a few. Musicwise his homebase he found at Complexed Records the imprint of german techno head Drumcomplex and Blufin Records based in Cologne.
Since 2012 Ben has been always productive, he composed over 170 original tracks and did remixes for artists like Belocca, Ash Roy, Abstrakt, Toni Rios or Christian Hornbostel. He also gets huge support from some big names of the business like Richie Hawtin, Paco Osuna, Dr. Motte, Karotte, Claude van Stroke, DJ Hell and many others constantly.
Dimitris: Your biggest music career achievements in 2019:
Ben Champell: Releases on Drumcomplex imprint Complexed Records, Funkn Deep Records and remixes for artists like Belocco and Toni Rios
Dimitris: Please rate your online presence/visibility in 2019 from 0-10?Please elaborate with short comment.
Ben Champell: I would give me 4-5, because more is always possible and sometimes i am a bit lazy in doing social media stuff.
1) Best track(s) and short comment for each track from other fellow artists in 2019
Ben Champell: 1. Relax- Thomas Hoffknecht, really love what he is doing!
2. Drumcomplex - Over you, mindblowing techno music and dance floor killer!
3. Omis (Italy) - Gravity, really nice guy from Italy doing just great techno music!
2) Best of 2019 personal productions with short comment about them:
Ben Champell: Tension, the whole EP including the remix by Dino Maggiorana and Running is like a heart project for me. I put much energy, love and time into this EP on Complexed Records.
My Remix for Belocca´s classic Crystal Kid which i really loved when it came out. It was an honor to me to put my hands on it.
3) Best Artist in 2019(DJ & producer) with short comment:
Ben Champell: For me it´s Thomas Hoffknecht and master Drumcomplex. Both released fantastic music in 2019. I am curious what comes next.
4) Best Remix(es) from other fellow artists in 2019 with short comment :
Ben Champell: Thomas Schumacher - The House of House! What a banger!
5) YOUR Best Remix which you have produced in 2019 with short comment?
Ben Champell: As mentioned before i really love what came out on my remix for Belocca´s Crystal Kid.
6) Best Remixer(s) for 2019 with short comment:
Ben Champell: Spartaque, huge output of high quality in 2019!
7) Best New Talent in 2019 (DJ or producer) with short comment :
Ben Champell: Omis (Italy) definetly a guy you have to have an eye on. All big names already playing his tracks.
8) Best electronic dance music album in 2019 with short comment:
Ben Champell: Roel Salemink - X818 on Intec Digital. Great collection of different electronic tracks.
9) Best electronic dance music compilation in 2019 with short comment? :
Ben Champell: I really like the Drumcode A-Side compilations, latest should be Vol. 8 i guess.
10) Best artwork about single / album/compilation or promotional campaign in 2019 with short comment:
Ben Champell: Here I have to mention the artworks of soupherb records by Archan Nair from India. It´s just amazing what he is doing. Have a look at the artwork for my Hunting Game EP.
11) Best lyrics in electronic dance music track(s) in 2019 with short comment :
Ben Champell: Hmm, difficult question... :D Usually there are no lyrics within the music i play and if then it´s a shout and wouldn´t call it lyrics.
12) Best electronic dance music label for 2019 with short comment:
13) Best online social media for 2019 with short comment:
Ben Champell: I really enjoy the channel of Andhim.
14) Best social media response you may have received about your music or your DJ performance in 2019:
Ben Champell: Actually most reactions are for posts not having to do with music:D
15) Best music composition software in 2019 with short comment:
Ben Champell: I like Ableton and Cubase, both are top.
16)Best Club event /Festival/music conference in 2019 with short comment:
Ben Champell: Cocoon Closing at Amnesia Ibiza. I really loved the special decoration there.
17) Your Best personal DJ Gig & DJ performance in 2019 with short comment:
Ben Champell: My Gig at Electronic Wine in Koblenz in summer. Playing infront of 3000 people right after legend DJ Hell was a blast.
18) Best DJ set from other fellow DJ in 2019 with short comment:
Ben Champell: Carl Cox playing at Ultra, Miami. Really love his sound!
19) Best radio show/podcast or Vlog(video blog) in 2019 with short comment. It can be yours or from other artists you respect:
Ben Champell: Karottes Kitchen on sunshine live
20) Best review that you have read in 2019 about your tracks or for other artists tracks.
21) Best music related website in 2019 with short comment:
Ben Champell: https://djmag.com
22) Best production or DJ equipment (a)software & (b) hardware) in 2019 with short comment:
Ben Champell: (a) the fresh massive x, love the massive before as well, (b) working basicly only with software, maybe in the future i will put together some tech gadgets for a live set.
23) Best sound sample that has been used frequently in electronic dance music tracks in 2019 (personal or from other artists):
Ben Champell: I work with several sound sample banks, bst in 2019 for me came from Unity Records by Dino Maggiorana and D-Unity himself.
24) Best technical tips that you learnt in 2019 in relation to your DJing or music productions:
Ben Champell: Use the 4 deck players by Denon DJ was a great experience!
25) Best piece of personal or music bussiness advice you got in relation to your career in 2019 and has helped you to progress even further:
26) Best travel tips in 2019 to survive the long travelling hours and jetlag:
Ben Champell: Sleep whenever you can!
27) Best ever electronic dance music track(s) of all times with short comment?
Ben Champell: Jeff Mills - The Bells, for me THE techno hymn of all times.
28) Best hobby or creative activity except music production in 2019:
Ben Champell: running, running and running.
Dimitris: Do you have any concrete plans for 2020 regarding future releases, tracks, albums, collaborations, DJ gigs? Please provide us the juicy details.
Ben Champell: A lot of fresh tracks in the pipeline, some collabs as well. Information will be shared as soon as posible.
Dimitris: Your message & wishes for 2020.
Ben Champell: Stay clear, focused and never give up your dreams!
Thanks to Andrea at BluFin for arranging this interview
Thanks to Andrea at BluFin for arranging this interview
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