Interview: Ben Gold talks Ibiza, the UK trance scene and Creamfields

How was your set at Cream Ibiza?

Really good fun. Certain memories came back from the year before when i played with John, but to have my own set topped it. It was a great crowd, and the feedback has been awesome!

After having a taster of the Amnesia high life last year, how excited were you about playing the Main Room?

Massively. I have been to Ibiza many times to party and Cream at Amnesia has always been the event/venue that I have wanted to play the most. I was over the moon when I got the booking.

When did you first set foot on Ibiza?

When I was 16, I went with a school friend and his family for a week. Although we couldn't get into any of the clubs, we were able to see Paul Oakenfold at Mambo one night and Pete Tong at Savannah another, and it was after these experiences that I wanted to be a DJ. Turntables were top of my Christmas list that year!

There’s a great video on your Facebook of you DJing b2b with John O’Callaghan at Cream Ibiza 2011. How did that happen?

I was at Cream enjoying a night off, when the promoter asked how far away my hotel was and if I fancied going to get my music and closing the last hour with John. To this day, I have no idea if they had organised it before John started his set or what, but it was a great moment. Big thanks to whoever made it happen!

Do you have any pre-set rituals?

No, not really. I always make sure I have a hand towel (usually from the hotel) in my bag (for during) and a spare T-shirt (for after) the show. It can get pretty hot on stage.

What do you think of the trance scene in the UK right now?

It's certainly smaller than it was. I've always lived in and around London, so I’ve been to almost every trance night London has had to offer over the last five years or so. When I first started to go to parties, there used to be options, sometimes two or three on the same night, then again on a Saturday, where now those options don't exist. I'm a resident at The Gallery at Ministry Of Sound, and without a doubt, The Gallery is at the forefront of the London club scene. Godskitchen in the midlands has always been a powerhouse, so has Digital Society in Leeds, and of course Cream in Liverpool. We have a smaller scene now than we did, but with events like Creamfields that are almost certain to sell out; we can't blame it on the love for EDM, as it's clearly still there

Do you think how we define genres in dance music is changing?

Definitely. But as I said in an earlier answer, good music is good music. It’s all Electronic Dance Music, whether it's 128 beats per minute, or 138 beats per minute. I think some people enjoy having the 'genre' argument, but who says they are right over someone else's opinion?

How has feedback for your new single ‘Apex’ been so far?

Yeah really good. I think we always had a task on our hands to match the success of our previous release 'Slave', but I think overall we are both happy with the chart positions, reviews and the radio/club support we got.

Can you tell us a bit about Tritonal, who you have collaborated with?

Not really no as I have only met them a couple of times (laughs). But what I know of them they are two great guys, with lots of energy and passion. I think that’s why we work so well together!

You look like you’re having an amazing time in the video for the track, how was that gig (Bal en Blanc 18, Montreal)?

That was my second consecutive year playing at the Bal en Blanc. I had no knowledge of the event before I arrived at the venue for the first time I played there, and to say I was blown away would be an understatement. Both years have been great shows, and I really hope I get to do a hat-trick of Bal en Blanc shows!

What’s your favourite of the tunes you have produced?

Either 'Sapphire' or my remake of 'Platinum'.

Tell us about your bi-monthly radio show, 'Life'. Do you plan the playlists or just see where the mood takes you?

It's a monthly two hour show on afterhours.fm. Ever since the first episode, I have always covered as many styles of dance music as possible, including House, Electro, Tech-House, Trance, Tech-Trance etc. Good music is good music. Apart from my releases, I have a policy that I never play the same track twice, so you can always expect two hours of upfront music!

It must feel amazing hearing your music being played on the likes of Tiesto and Armin’s radio shows?

Yeah of course. These guys are at the forefront of the scene, so to get support from them means you must be doing something right. Armin has said some really nice things about me on ASOT, and I always see my tracks in his club sets, so I want to sustain that amount of support and not take my foot off the gas!

As a studio engineer, have you worked with any artists we might know?

Being a studio engineer is how I started. I used to make house bootlegs for some of the residents at BCM in Mallorca, as well as local DJs who wanted to have their own track. Then I moved into making Trance full time for artists that include Claudia Cazacu and Sophie Sugar. Then about two years ago, I decided to focus on Ben Gold.

What advice would you give to a budding producers/DJ out there?

Be unique. Create a sound and continue to develop it.

What’s your most treasured possession?

My home studio or MacBook Pro - both enable me to make music. Luckily I have a backup!

You're performing at Creamfields this year for the first time, Are you excited?

Absolutely. Without a question of a doubt, I think it’s fair to say that Creamfields is the UK festival that every DJ/clubber wants to be at this year.

Have you been to the festival as a punter before?

I haven't, and there are no excuses really, so I’m not going to think of one, ha!

Are you going to stick around for the whole day?

That was the plan, but now I have two shows on that Saturday, followed by an early flight to Ibiza on Sunday. I'll get there early to make up for it instead!

What is your must-have festival item?

Wellies. You never know what weather we are going to get, so a pair of wellies avoids ruining your footwear/trousers.

If someone is coming to watch your set who’s never heard you before, how would you describe your sound? Why should they see your set?

I've always thought being a DJ is also about being a performer. I love what I do and I think that comes across in my performances. Energetic, loud, uplifting, attitude, electric and big, so if you describe your music taste with any of these words, make sure you see me on the Saturday in the Cream/Mixmag tent!

Finally, Tell us a secret…

I used to be a semi-pro footballer!

Ben Gold performs in the Cream Arena in association with Mixmag on Saturday 25th August at Creamfields. Weekend tickets for Creamfields are available below - but hurry, they're selling out fast. 

 

Tickets are no longer available for this event