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Ben Mynott
Ben Mynott will perform at The Big Chill festival 2008 A-Z line up | Ticket infoBen Mynott - Biography
Ben Mynott has firmly established himself as a mainstay in the downtempo field and has built up a vast following through his work as a producer, DJ, radio presenter and through his fluidnation movement.
fluidnation was born in 2004 after the split of media darlings fragile state, a production duo Ben formed two years prior, that scaled the heavy heights of number 3 in the UK Dance album chart, and number 5 in the UK album chart with their critically acclaimed albums “The Facts and the Dreams” and “Voices From The Dustbowl”; a project furthermore that garnered Album Of The Year plaudits all over the place, including those from Big Chill co-founder Pete Lawrence and BBC London’s Robert Elms.
Quite an act to follow. Never deterred though, Ben set up fluidnation, originally primarily as a music and pr consultancy which led him to be the UK contact for legendary New York dance label Naked Music Recordings amongst others. But due to the strength of his then USA radio shows on Worldspace, Ben began Djing and taking his distinctly downtempo sound out and about. A new UK radio show was launched on Bournemouth’s award-winning Fire FM in 2005, a show that led to more praise with around 10,000 listeners going to bed listening to the fluidnation sound after heavy nights on the South Coast.
Residencies at the Big Chill Bar in Brick Lane (another award-winner, this time in the Time Out London Awards) and the superb new Big Chill House in Kings Cross followed; the latter with a monthly fluidnation night which comprises just.beautiful.music with gorgeous visuals from John Rixon (Amukidi) and Myogenic.
So what of the fluidnation music policy? “just.beautiful.music - it's that simple” says Ben. “I want fluidnation to be as accessible as humanly possible. I want it to be genuinely something for everyone. The aim of the night is to play music and new music with the emphasis on beautiful arrangements. I firmly believe it’s deep within the tracks' arrangement that brings out the beauty. Music where people can enjoy the evening without the policy changing as the night goes on. fluidnation is a sound, just.beautiful.music. So far, the feedback I've received has been nothing short of amazing”.
The Big Chill is something that has been part of Ben’s life for years now, and is something very close to his heart. He’s working closely with Big Chill Recordings on an album for release 2007/8 that’ll showcase his sound in the next instalment of the Take Me Home series.
Compilations are another outlet for Ben’s creative cells having already compiled over 15 albums to date. This includes albums for Jazz Fm/Hed Kandi Records, Quiet Riot, Bar De Lune, Beechwood, One World Music, Slip ‘n’ Slide, The Hit Music Company, Just Music and Park Lane Recordings.
Every now and then Ben makes a mix or two available for online listening and these have helped his reputation further with one described by a Big Chiller as “Probably the best I’ve heard since Erlend Øye did the DJ kicks”, while another DJ described one of Ben’s sets as “the best selection of tunes that I’ve ever heard live. Brilliant”.
And all for doing what Ben loves doing best.
Links:
www.fluidnation.com
www.myspace.com/benmynott
www.bigchill.net
www.fire1076.co.uk
We caught up with Ben after the The Big Chill 2005...
I thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed my set. There's something special about the Sanctuary Tent - lovely vibe in there. My sort of place! So to play a set in there was a hugely memorable experience, one which I'll never forget. The ambience, crowd and visuals all made for a wonderful hour of proper chill.
Thanks to the many, many of you who came down to share the experience with me. It was great to meet so many of you after as well.
I love the Big Chill. Absolutely adore it. The people, the bar, the festival. It's like one big happy family. And it brings out the best in people - and that can only be a good thing. The Festival makes me love life; it's just a fantastic weekend. Norman Jay was a dream - his set (as per) was inspiring. Elsewhere, I thoroughly enjoyed Emiliana's performance (and how beautiful is She?!!!), Mixmaster Morris, Tom Middleton, Sophie Barker, Chris Coco, Rob Da Bank, Nitin Sawhney, Husky Rescue, DJ Derek, The Bays.
If you enjoyed the set, remember that I have a new chillout radio show on fire fm (Bournemouth), the Fluid radio show on Worldspace (America). I'm a columnist and reviews editor for B&S Magazine. Currently in studio working on new material and have various compilations in the pipeline.
www.fluidnation.com
Latest mix for download is here.
Ben Mynott will perform at The Big Chill festival 2008 A-Z line up | Ticket info
Written: 12th Jun, 08
Read: 8051 times
