Music
The British DJ and Radio One star on bringing his hugely popular London club night to New York City.
British DJ Benji B has been running his hugely successful Deviation club night since 2007. Over the years, the likes of Hudson Mohawke, James Blake, Flying Lotus and The Gaslamp Killer have played to packed-out crowds at London's XOYO, and now Benji is planning to bring the event to an international audience.
Following a sell-out Deviation special in Brooklyn – which featured the likes of Detroit techno innovator Juan Atkins, Beat Junkies founder J. Rocc and emerging Detroit artist Jay Daniel – Benji's plan is to create a permanent home for the event in the States. We asked him to tell us more about the event's past and future.
What is Deviation?
“The idea was to bring all the elements together that I learned about from going to clubs when I was younger. It was about creating a night with a good focus on the soundsystem. I wanted to take all the wonderful experiences I had at clubs in London and pass it on to the next generation. It's about the unique combination of artists that makes Deviation special and the international relationships those artists have.”
How is Deviation different from similar London club nights?“When you're a DJ playing shows and travelling the world, sometimes you get stuck in a rut. But every once in a while, you come across a gig that makes you really want to bring your A game. DJs around the world were excited to play Deviation because they knew they'd be able to do what they wanted to and have that special interaction with a small crowd."
Do you think Deviation has impacted the dance music scene, locally and globally?
“The programming is essentially an extension of my music taste and my radio show. It has influenced the way people book nights. Now it's quite trendy in the UK to book a house DJ alongside a hip-hop DJ, or to put an elder statesman next to young talent. The combination of the way we book people is all about warmth and not having one texture or shape the whole night. That has influenced a lot of people in the UK, and those strange combinations used to be unique to us. I take it more as flattery than imitation. It feels great to have a positive effect on people's open-mindedness.”
How do you compare club crowds in the New York to those in London?
“London and New York are twin cities in a way. London has more in common with New York than any other city. We have similar vibes. New York has influenced the UK so much, but the UK has more regular, reliable club nights. But people are really hungry in New York right now, and so is the entire US.”
Will Deviation become a more regular thing in the US in 2014?
“That's my main goal. Hopefully, we can make it happen. The idea was to do a regular night for a while, but it's been a question of finding the right venue. I'm a bit of a perfectionist and I want to find the perfect space. I'd love to make Deviation a regular New York event. We'll be touring it on the West Coast in 2014, too.”
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