Non-Conformist: He Earned The Nickname ‘Killer’ By Emptying Dance Floors Through His Refusal To Pay Commercial Shit
The Gaslamp Killer (William Benjamin Bensussen) is one of the most eccentric, complex and innovative DJs and producers today. The self-professed ‘angry psycho’ was raised in San Diego’s Gaslamp district and turned to DJing at 17, eventually earning the name ‘killer’ by killing local dance floors because of his refusal to conform to mainstream musical standards.
“The crowds back in my early days absolutely hated me,” he laughs viciously. “I was basically forced to play shitty clubs because that was literally all that I was able to do. There was nowhere else to go. They wanted to hear shitty R’n’B, Pop, House and Electro but I wouldn’t give it to them.”
“I’d only play stuff that actually appealed and inspired me as an artist,” explains Bensussen. “It wasn’t what they wanted to hear. I’d get boo-ed, have stuff throw at me, gum put in my hair and people even literally stopping my records.”
It was this persistence, determination and undying passion that made Bensussen the esoteric but ultimately cherished artistic talent and performer that he is today. His refusal to obey conventional trends and popular movements only continue to drive his appreciation and love for his eclectic and sometimes undefinable tastes.
After a decade of pushing his love of all things weird, eerie and unique, 2010 sees the release of his third EP Death Gate. A cosmic exploration, the EP encompasses his musical history and development and has only furthered the worldwide adoration for his limitless productions.
“Death Gate’s release was a long time coming,” shares Bensussen. “There’s a song with Gonjasufi that we wrote two years ago, a collaboration I did with Computer Jay two years ago and a more recent production I did with Mophono. I’ve messed with a few of the productions from the EP like Monsterfromtheunderground and Fun Over 100 while I was over in Hong Kong and it’s created what’s really just a weird mix of what I’d called my sound.”
“It’s a bunch of beats that I was really into the idea of releasing before I start working further on all of my new stuff. It’s a collection of my mind just like the My Troubled Mind EP was, it’s the same vibe. There are older songs, newer songs and just a bunch of different stuff. You know how I’ve been making beats for a few years now?” he asks rhetorically. “Some of the very first stuff I ever made is better than anything I’m making now. I felt that I had to release all of this stuff as it really sums up the sound that I’ve had over the past five years.”
“The new record that I’m going to be working on is going to definitely be different with a lot of live music and a lot less sampling,” continues Bensussen. “That’s something I’ve been working a lot on in 2010, but it won’t be ready until next year. I don’t know when, I don’t know how and I don’t know with whom, but it’s going to be awesome.”
Gaslamp Killer proudly wears his production badge second. Despites his early setbacks and hardships Bensussen first love is performing. His shows, while notably different from the sounds and resonance of his records, are composed from the same aura, impressions and unmistakable left-field characteristics.
“As a producer I’m still finding my feet and finding my form. As a performer I was born and raised for this, I was built for this. My mother was a stand-up comedian and all around funky woman and my father was singing on the radio in Mexico City in the 50’s and would always been singing and whistling around the house,” he laughs. “Always singing and whistling all day.”
“When I was young I was always trying to perform for their friends when they would come over. I always one of those kids who wanted to talk to everyone and was a little outlandish and crazy,” admits Bensussen. “I feel as if DJing is something that I was able to channel it all into. DJing is something that I put absolutely all of my energy into and I’m able to create something that’s a much more exciting experience than other DJs are able to.”
“As a producer I’m stilling trying to find my sound, as a DJ I’m able to play anything that I want and twist it into my mix and make it work. Obviously how good I play or how I’m received depends on the audience that I’m playing to, but having my shit together as a performer is just something that’s second nature to me.”
Gaslamp is returning to Australia for the third time visit accompanied by fellow beat-smiths and sonic pioneers Flying Lotus and Hudson Mohawke, eagerly awaited by all those with a love of pure passion for music and artistry. After a shattering headline show at last March’s Golden Plains festival, it’s safe to confirm that his expectations and anticipation for his return to our shores is at an all time high.
“I can’t wait to get back down there. I’ve always been received really well in Australia and the parties have always been wild. The people appreciate what I’m trying to do and what I’m playing which is a really important thing, especially for me. This time it’s going to be a very similar vibe from my last shows, that’s for sure.”
“Currently I’m using an iPad to control my cue points in Serato and sound effects, and actually affecting the songs and how they sound,” Bensussen says. “I’ve got a few more songs and a few more exclusives, but basically it’s a DJ set with a lot of bells and whistles, a lot of energy and just something that you can’t describe. I’m also coming with some of my biggest idols in beat-movements so I can’t see how basically it’s going to be anything except really fucking rad.”
The Gaslamp Killer [US] is playing Espionage with Killa Kella, Flying Lotus, Dam Funk, Harmonic 313 and more at The Hi-Fi Bar on Saturday January 8 [SOLDOUT]. And also he is playing at Roxanne Parlour on January 9.
