My guest today is the esteemed Ben Arsenal, a dear friend of mine for years. It’s truly a pleasure to have him here for this interview. Ben is dedicated to his lifelong mission of energizing, inspiring, and uniting people through dancefloor chemistry, music, art, and community. His distinctive sets are built upon heavy drums, roots, and folkloric elements infused with infectious soulful grooves.
I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with Ben Arsenal as a Brazilian dancer. His music is not only creative but also deeply inspiring. Together with our incredible circle of musical friends, we’ve electrified Philadelphia on numerous occasions. Ben’s career continues to soar as an international DJ and producer, with performances and collaborations spanning Europe, the Middle East, South America, and beyond. Notable support gigs include Felix da Housecat, Eats Everything, Riva Starr, Amtrac, and Bob Moses.
In his role as a producer, Ben recently contributed as a recording engineer to Pablo Batista’s percussion performance on H.E.R.’s ‘Fight for You,’ which won both an Oscar for Best Original Song and a Grammy in 2021. He also signed his first international remix release on the Universal Middle East/North Africa subsidiary of Morocco’s Moktar Gania and Gnawa Soul, titled ‘Alla a Sudan’ (Ben Arsenal Remix). Their upcoming release, ‘Coucou Selam,’ features fashion icon and artist Anna Cleveland on vocals. Ben continues to lead Worldtown Soundsystem, captivating an ever-growing fanbase with their multi-membered high-energy live music experience.
As a DJ, Ben’s performances have taken him from Florianopolis, Brazil, to Montreal, Canada, and Beirut, Lebanon. His sound is deeply rooted in his interests and studies in international culture and folkloric music fused with modern electronic sounds.
Today, Ben Arsenal stands as the preeminent figure in House music in the Philadelphia region, leading the newly launched ‘DEPARTED’ event series. This series pushes the boundaries of global dance music culture through music, community, and performance art, solidifying Ben’s position as a true representative of Philadelphia’s soul around the globe.
Connect with Ben Arsenal on
Instagram @benarsenal
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