End of year round up: Ben Pearce

Image: Ben Pearce

Ben Pearce's impact on the dance music scene was immediate. His debut single 'What I Might Do' became the most Shazamed track of 2013, and peaked at number seven in the charts. Like most artists with stand out tracks bolted to their names, Ben Pearce's talents stretch much further than one release.

At the end of 2014, he started the disco inspired project called The Sextape Series, which saw him stop off at intimate venues in the UK throughout 2015 including Gorilla and Sub Club for a night filled with funk. 

Ben Pearce also secured himself a residency for ANTS at Ushuaia this year, and made his mark on We Love... and Magna Carter at Sankeys, plus played at the first ever Creamfields Ibiza. 

He hasn't let the production side slip, with a collaborative release with Shadow Child, remixes and the management of his Purp & Soul imprint all making up that side of Ben's 2015. We quizzed him a bit further on the past twelve months.

What's been the stand out gig or club night you've been to this year?

Oh wow, there's been so so many. UK would probably be Sub Club again, US was Houston, Kinda Super Disco, and Australia Revolver in Melbourne... they're three that stand out from their respective areas, I couldn't pick a favourite so many shows this year were insane. 

What about your best festival memory?

I often think the best times I had I probably can't remember, I think just being ridiculously silly with friends at Secret Garden Party is always a special memory. 

What were your five favourite albums of 2015?

Maribou State - Portraits

Neck Deep - Life's Not Out To Get You

Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp A Butterfly

Parkway Drive - Ire

Young Guns - Ones and Zeros

What five tracks released this year have you had on repeat the most?

I listen to albums a lot, definitely those above. I listen to a lot of old bands, hip hop... it changes to much day to day. The Xcerts 'Live Like This' has been on repeat recently as a track. 

What's been your biggest musical let down of 2015?

Club closures in London and the UK in general is, well I wouldn't say a let down as such but it's a terrible thing to be happening. Club culture is suffering, hopefully it will get through ok. The Atreyu album was quite a let down too.

Who has been your musical hero in 2015 and why?

I'm really proud of the Maribou State guys, known them for a good while now and they're so dedicated to what they do. I think their album is one of the best electronic based albums I've ever heard, I can't speak highly of them enough and it's great to see them doing well. 

What musical moment or release are you most looking forward to in 2016?

Without sounding too self absorbed, I'm actually looking forward to releasing new music. It's been a while in the making and at times a lot of hard work, pressure and severe stress but I like the music I've got coming out for the first time in a long long time, whether anyone else will that's yet to be discovered but I'm excited about it.

Check out all of Ben Pearce's upcoming gigs