He’s known around the world as one of the most prolific hard dance producers. His discography is enough make others sick with envy. He is joint head honcho and also Head of A&R at Riot Recordings, one of the scene foremost labels. His DJ sets are the thing legends are made of. And he just got married.

Ben Keen, or BK as he’s better known, isn’t hot property; the man is on fire. If he actually were a house we would have dialled 999 by now and be waiting for the sound of sirens. Tune after tune, like ‘Music Is Moving’ and ‘Revolution’ go straight in the ‘all-time hairs-on-end gives-me-goosebumps anthem’ box. Night after night is sold out as hundreds, sometimes thousands flock to hear him play. He is, in short, a true icon of dance music.

As he prepares to play the huge Tidy & Extreme Euphoria 1st Birthday Fiesta this Friday (October 27th) at London superclub Heaven, DSI tracked him down, sat on him and pumped him for some personal information…

So, BK, how was your wedding?

Brilliant thanks although very scary.

What was your best man’s speech like? Any skeletons come out of the closet?

It was well funny, ripped me to shreds with out getting me into trouble!

Was it your perfect day?

At the time it’s all a bit hectic but looking back it couldn’t have gone better.

Who DJed for you at the after party? Did you have a regular DJ or did you have someone like Ed Real spinning the tunes and your granny getting down on a make shift podium?

We had Andy Farley and Pete Wardman playing wedding sets along with my mate TC.
It was well funny to hear cheesy wedding tunes mixed seamlessly.

You and Ed both run Riot and were responsible for the infamous Riot! at The End parties. What’s your relationship with Ed like, business wise and personal?

Good. He does the business and I do the tunes. It’s the same combination we had when we
were at Nukleuz. It’s good to work with someone who is part of the scene and understands it.

Riot! was named Best Club of the Year of Mixmag – do you think that had a positive or negative effect on your night?

Good. It’s an honour. We ran it at the end for 5 years on a Sunday. It was a breeding ground for new music the line ups were so varied. Tom Neville and King Roc who are both doing really well started at Riot!. It was probably the best club I have ever played at.

Do you prefer underground or mainstream nights?

Love them both for different reasons. Underground nights give you a chance to experiment and it’s easier to hold a smaller crowd’s attention as most people there are hardcore music fans.
Big parties have a different atmosphere with all the big production not all the types of music
Translate so well.

What was the best thing about playing at Riot!?

Being able to play whatever you liked. The crowd there were probably the most open minded up for it crowd in London. I have records that I only played at Riot! The other good thing was so many familiar faces. Because it was on a Sunday all the DJs that had been working all weekend would often come to party.

You’re often quoted as being the most prolific producer in the history of hard dance. Do you think this is a fair quote?

Who knows? It’s hard to make judgements about your self. I make music because I love it.

Dance music spans everything from hard dance to disco to punk – how influential do you think you are across the whole spectrum of dance music?

I have no idea. I get CDs from young producers every day that quote me as one of their influences which feels a bit weird but is also really nice as I’m just glad people like the music because at the end of the day it’s all subjective.

Who’s been the biggest influence on you?

People like the Prodigy. But mostly the Trade crew of DJs. I went to Trade every week for about 8 years before it stopped being weekly. I used to make tracks every week for them to play.

You’re into hard dance – what else are you into? What inspires you?

If I like it I like. Usually anything with a bit of character or attitude.

What are you like to live with?

A fucking nightmare I should imagine. Because of what I do I keep odd hours.

What do you think is the main difference between female DJs and male DJs?

Tits

Say your name was Becca Keen (ie you’re a female version of you) but you’d produced the same tunes and performed the same sets as you had done as Ben Keen – do you think you would have found it any harder being a female DJ?

No I don’t think so anymore. There are loads of wicked female DJs. Mistress Barbara is one of my favourite DJs regardless of sex.

Favourite DJ? And why…

Love watching Carl Cox because he is a legend and is a great show to watch. Mistress Barbara blew me away at Impulse a few years ago so she would be in there to.

Favourite producer?

Liam Howlett cause the Prodigy are the nuts.

Favourite holiday destination?

Bali because I love the people and the food

Favourite meal

Thai food or a roast dinner!

If you were going to create the perfect date for your wife, what would it be?

Ha ha, I think me just having a whole weekend off would do the trick.

Okay, so this interview is technically supposed to be about the Tidy vs Extreme Euphoria 1st Birthday, so…

What did you get for your first birthday?

A plastic drum!

What’s the best birthday present you’ve ever been given?

My first mixer from my mum cause it gave me a chance to do what I’m doing now.

What’s the worst?

I used to give a mate of mine all the really bad records I got sent the ones I wouldn’t play
And he used to make me a mix CD of all of them!

What’s the most extreme thing you’ve ever done?

Bungee jump!

What’s the most extreme thing you’d ever consider doing?

Parachute jump!

Are you afraid of heights?

No not really although I did shit myself when I did the bungee jump.

Who’s the most extreme DJ in your opinion and why?

DJ Cunt from Germany, I think his name says it all!

If you could go anywhere for a Fiesta, where would it be and why?

Tokyo cause it’s my favourite city in the world. I love all the gadgets and amazing clubs.

If you held your very own BK Fiesta, who would you get to DJ?

That’s a hard one the two I mentioned above Cox and Mistress Barbera cause I love the music and Farley cause he is my mate and we love the same music.

Have you ever whacked a piniata?

No not yet but I’m ever hopeful!

If your kid turned round to you and said, “Dad I want to make it as a DJ”, would you agree or would you rather they did something like medicine or law or something just as equally reliable?

I say go for it you only live once if that’s what you want to do do it.

Your advice for clubbers out there

Always look both ways before you cross the road ;-)

Your advice for the future…

Live life for the present the past doesn’t matter.

Your advice full stop

Cheesy but you only live once so do as much as you can with your life

Thanks BK, muchos gracis senorita… ;) xxx