A true Berlin legend and an exceptional ambassador for the music he holds dear, Ben Klock has played a pivotal role in shaping the modern-day techno scene. As a resident at Berghain, Klock’s career has grown in tandem with the club’s reputation, to the point that both club and DJ practically define one another. DJ duties aside, Klock is also a prolific producer and label owner of some repute, while his various mixes and releases are proof that his talent is far from confined to the booth. As comfortable playing small venues as he is chopping it up on vast stages, his is a style of playing that’s seen his popularity skyrocket in recent times. Here, we outline ten of his most defining career moments to date…
Graphic Design
Before embarking on a full-time career as a DJ/producer, Klock made a living as a graphic designer in his native Berlin. Rather than dropping his craft as his status as a DJ grew, he continued with graphic design until he began work on his debut album, ‘One’, and the time commitments involved for both simply became too great. Klock has credited his Berghain residency with giving him the confidence to leave the job behind and focus on his new role as one of his city’s foremost DJs. it’s a decision that’s been rightly rewarded in spades.
Berghain (2004 - )
Klock has held a residency at the legendary Berlin nightspot since 2004, in the process helping the club earn a reputation as arguably the world’s greatest. Pre Berghain, Klock actually held residencies in other Berlin clubs such as Cookies and Tresor, but it’s in Berghain where he’s really come into his own. ‘I never really felt at home [as a resident DJ] anywhere before Berghain’, he told fabric’s blog in 2010. An integral part of the club’s DNA and more often than not the man who most of those queueing outside are desperate to see.
Klockworks (2006 - )
In 2006, Klock kicked off his own label, Klockworks. That it took him a while to do so is somewhat surprising, especially when one takes stock of the talent that he regularly gets to witness up close. Still, the venture is one that’s most definitely been worth the wait. Specialising in all things techno, the label’s first few years proved an outlet for Klock’s own releases with the first four releases coming via his Klockworks alias. 2009 saw the release of ‘Klockworks 05’ courtesy of Minnesotta artist, Zak Khutoretsky aka DVS1, in the process kickstarting the label’s penchant for releasing music from producers other than the label owner. Fast-forward to today and Klockworks is closing in on two-dozen releases and has since emerged as one of modern techno’s foremost labels. DVS1 aside, the label has also hosted music from Benny Rodrigues (under his ROD alias), Steve Rachmad (as Sterac) and Etapp Kyle among others. However, the track we've plumped for here (as per above) is by the sadly departed Trevino, who contributed one of Klockworks' best releases a few years back courtesy of Klockworks 14.
Pong (Ben Klock Remix) (2008)
Ben Klock might be best known as a techno DJ first and foremost, but his 2008 remix for New Jersey legend Kerri Chandler emphatically proved that he’s no slouch when it comes to mixing things up a bit. Klock’s reinterpretation of ‘Pong’ starts off all subdued at first, before keyboard chords and more rhythmic devices enter the fray. With the chords always arriving too late or too early, Klock's remix boasts a complexity that practically forces the listener to get down. Maintaining the same wonderful, unpolished and organic feel to it as Klock’s best music, it's an utterly captivating and fine example of how best to handle the remix process.
Subzero (2009)
In 2009, Klock released the ‘Before One’ EP via the Berghain-affiliated Ostgut Ton imprint. Brilliant throughout, it’s most notable for ‘Subzero’, a track that’s since earned a reputation as one of Klock’s (and Ostgut Ton’s) most momentous tracks. A sublime offering, the track features a revolving synth melody, a straight techno beat, strikingly off-kilter cymbals and a constantly bubbling bass that keeps us on our toes throughout. This one was everywhere in 2009 and still gets rinsed to this very day. A hypnotic joy and an absolute classic, ‘Subzero’ is indicative of the producer at his most emphatic best.
Berghain 04 (2010)
Another release on the much-revered Ostgut Ton, ‘Berghain 04’ is the fourth such mix CD released by the label, with each mix compiled by a different resident of the club. Another brilliant snapshot of Klock’s talents, although it’s not as dark and deep as his Berghain sets, this mix is nonetheless a driving, headbanging one that’s righly acknowledged as one of the best in the series. The mix features an abundance of highlights, but it’s hard to look past Klock’s inclusion of Tyree’s ‘Nuthin’ Wrong’ as the moment when the DJ brilliantly shifts the narative. Featuring an array of moods and vibes throughout, Berghain 04 showcases Klock’s eclecticism and diversity in sumptuous fashion.
fabric 66 (2012)
Following up a mix as rapturously received as ‘Berghain 04’ is no mean feat. Even more so when it's coming at us courtesy of London clubbing institution, fabric. Then again, Ben Klock has long been a man for the big occasions, and any of us who’d perhaps naively felt he couldn’t go one better than ‘Berghain 04’ were pleasantly surprised when we encountered the 66th installment in fabric’s mix series. This time around, Klock gets straight down to business, with Truncate’s ‘Ratio 1’ immediately signalling his intentions. The action rarely (if ever) tails off throughout, but reaches a crescendo courtesy of Klock’s epic reworking of Josh Wink’s ‘Are You There’. A mix that’s lost none of its appeal in the intervening years, there’s little doubt that this one will still be pulled from the shelf in decades to come.
Boiler Room (2013)
February isn’t exactly the most forgiving month in Europe. The skies are grey, the weather is bleak and with summer still some time off, optimism can be at an all time low. Nowhere is this more stark than the often brutal Berlin winter, where temperatures tend to hover around the minus mark for months on end. So who better to warm our cockles at this time of year than Ben Klock? His Boiler Room Berlin set from 2013 is undoubtedly one for the ages. A mind-blowing hour-or-so that calls on classic numbers from Trus’Me and Steve Bicknell, it's a dizzying set that's permanently high on intoxicating vibes. The more observant of you might also have noticed the presence of a certain well-known Russian DJ lying in close proximity to Klock throughout…
Marcel Dettmann
Mentioning Ben Klock without alluding to Marcel Dettmann is a bit like talking about Laurel and not Hardy. Or Posh, but not Becks. Anyway, you get the point. Alongside Klock, Dettmann has played a focal role in helping to establish Berghain as one of the globe’s most venerated nightclubs. From sharing decks at numerous back-to-back sessions to getting together in the studio, theirs is a mutual love and appreciation of all things techno that’s practically without peer in the contemporary domain. Last January even saw the release of ‘Phantom Studies’, the duo’s first collaborative effort in almost a decade.
Great Wall of China (2017)
When you’re a DJ of Ben Klock’s calibre and reputation, it’s only natural that you get to ply your trade in some pretty unlikely and unique locations. Indeed, Klock knows this better than most, with Berghain boasting an industrial setting that lends it a vibe like no other. Still, they don’t come much more momentous than the Great Wall of China. The setting might be a far cry from the likes of Cookies, Tresor (or even Berghain), but it’s a sign of how far Klock has come that he was among those selected to play at the 2017 Great Wall Festival. Truly an individual who’s name has become synonomous with the music he loves, Ben Klock’s appeal now far transcends the techno heads who’ve embraced his music since day one. Suffice to say, it's not affected his style or approach one iota. An inspiring musician we're sure to be referencing for years to come, there truly is only one Ben Klock.