Quickie With A DJ: Ben Moon

Favorite place on earth?

Ben: 99.9% of the time its the studio ... But after this week I may have to go with my bed.

Favorite headphones and piece of DJ equipment?

Ben: For headphones I've been digging the pioneer hdj 2000's. They're extremely responsive and won't cost you an arm and a leg. In fact I think Pioneer has really taken the game to the next level with their entire new line of products. For our live shows though, we tend to mostly use our own custom equipment to meet the unique needs of ROKLYFE, which is all designed by my "partner in crime" Valentin.

Biggest influence on your music?

Ben: I'm thankful that I was exposed to such a wide variety of music growing up, But if I had to pick one person who had the biggest influence on the stuff I'm doing now I would say its Richie Hawtin. So much of "Roklyfe" is piggybacking on existing social media platforms. What he was doing with "Plasticman" was so ahead of its time. He literally had to invent the technology in order to execute his creative vision. People like that are the true visionaries... the "Leonardo DaVinci's" of our time.

Favorite item of clothing?

Ben: I just got a t- shirt with Bob Ross' head on it. It says, "there are no mistakes... only happy accidents". I think its my favorite for the moment.

Favorite snack?

Ben: Starbucks Venti White Mocha with a "Quad espresso Shot". 2 a day keeps the doctor away. (At least that's what I'll be telling myself until I have a massive coronary)

Celebrity crush?

Ben: I had a dream the other night that me, Rihanna and Megan Fox were smoking a giant blunt together. It was kinda hot.

Thing you’re most excited for in 2013?

Ben: All I ever wanted was to play at one of those outdoor festivals where you look out at the crowd from the stage and just see people as far as the eye can see. Will 2013 be that year. Man I hope so... I'm getting closer all the time.

Song you’re ashamed to like?

Ben: "Will I AM AND BRITNEY BITCH"

Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?

Ben: 5 years from now I would like my work to be seen as an important bridge linking the art of the 20th century to that of the 21st. From my beginnings as a painter, all the way to the fully immersive interactive technological spectacle that is Roklyfe. If people are able to clearly see the artistic journey my work has taken, I will have accomplished my goal.

Best performance you’ve ever seen live?

Ben: I remember seeing U2's "POP MART" tour and being completely blown away by the video screen they had which was literally the size of a football field. That left a huge impression on me. But I think I was equally impressed by Porter Robinson's set at Ultra this year. That guy is really on his game right now.

Artist you most want to collaborate with and why?

Ben: I would love to collaborate with Beardyman. What he's doing is so creative, and very akin to what we are doing live.

Album you can’t live without?

Ben: Sasha's new album is awesome. Everything I've heard so far off the new Daft Punk sounds really interesting. I get completely obsessed with something for a while... then its on to the next, (like musical A.D.H.D.)

What is number 1 on your bucket list?

Ben: To get to travel all around the world sharing music with people from every culture and background. That would be my dream come true. Just providing a conduit for people to connect with one another.

Prediction for next big producer?

Ben: I think Moiez is about to get really really big.

What DJ do you want to:
Hug:
Party With:
Play along side with:

Ben: Getting to Hug, Party with, and play along side of amazingly creative people all the time. (What could be better than that?)

Best perk of being a DJ?

Ben: I'm up for almost anything ... I say the more, the merrier!

The one song you never want to hear again?

Ben: Anyone doing a cover of "Don't Worry Child"!!! Its too soon people.

Favorite track at the moment?

Ben: Whatever the last one I made is... but I'll be the first to admit that answer is not coming from a place of "objectivity".