The Standard

This Sunday at Le Bain, Nouveau York presents two wonder boys of the House scene, the antipodean Beni from Sydney and Bit Funk from Brooklyn. While Beni tours America to promote his first album The House of Beni (on Modular), Bit Funk has been busy staying on top of the Hype Machine’s charts. We caught them by surprise for a Standard Q&A.

Bit Funk watching Beni this Sunday at Le Bain.

The Standard: What was the first dance music record you fell in love with?

Bit Funk: It was probably Homework by Daft Punk. I was playing in bands and listening to hip hop and not really paying much attention to dance music before that.

Beni: Hum… Probably Rockit by Herbie Hancock.

What is the last dance music record that really impressed you?

Bit Funk: That’s a hard question. There is so much great music being made right now. I’m constantly impressed by new stuff I hear. Maybe I’m too easily impressed!

Beni: I just got a remix back from Brodinski of Last Night, the third track from my album, it’s pretty amazing.

What is the most futuristic piece of music ever?

Bit Funk: Piano Phase by Steve Reich, it’s the pop music of the year 4000.

Piano/Video Phase by Steve Reich/David Cossin.

Who is the most underrated club hero?

Beni: Moodyman, I think he is God

Bit Funk: Justin Bieber. Don’t fight it, you know it’s true.

What is the most archetypal dance music track?

Bit Funk: It’s gotta be Cajmere’s It’s Time For The Percolator, it’s everything you need to move a dance floor and nothing else.

Beni: There are so many! I’m going to say Your Love by Frankie Knuckles.

If house music was a movie?

Beni: Caddy Shack

Bit Funk: The Warriors, the tale of a rag tag group of best friends just trying to make it home alive as gangs in ridiculous costumes and clown makeup attempt to hunt them down for a crime they didn’t commit. If that’s not an analogy, I don’t know what is.

Caddyshack theatrical trailer.

If house was a book?

Bit Funk: Where the Wild Things Are, I don’t think I need to explain this one.

Beni: The Catcher in the Rye.

If house was a boy?

Bit funk: A what what?

Beni: Jack.

If house was a girl?

Bit Funk: A who who?

Beni: Jill.

Who is the greatest dancer?

Bit Funk: That really drunk guy with the funny hat at the back of the club.

Beni: Willie Ninja.

Willie Ninja. Clips taken from Paris is Burning (1990) by Jennie Livingston.

Who is the boss?

Bit Funk: Wasn’t that Tony Danza?

Beni: Rick Ross.

Where is today’s dance music center of attraction?

Bit Funk: Ruskin, Nebraska.

Beni: Los Angeles.

“The producers are there, but to me the DJ is the paramount of everything. He holds the destiny of so many people in his hands. He can make or break hits.” (Michael Gomes in The Disco Files). Is it still true?

Beni: What would he play if the producer didn’t make anything?

Bit Funk: I’d say it’s a case of the chicken and the egg, except even more co-dependent. Kind of like a chicken and an egg mashed up together and then rolled into a burrito. Delicious.

This Sunday at Le Bain, Nouveau York presents Beni (Modular Records, Sydney) and Bit Funk. Doors 9pm.

The House of Beni’s Tour Mix. Beni’s first album features a bunch of New Yorkers including Nomi of Hercules & Love Affair and ex-The Rapture Mattie Safer.