Friday weekend music: Ben Oprstu. Wednesday fliers: THE JUMP UP

Ben Oprstu is one of my favorite Los Angles discoveries. Ironically, we both hold degrees from the University of Southern California, but it wasn't until after college that we would become colleagues.

Ben is something otherworldly, Ben is a force of childlike energy, Ben makes you feel like you're always on the VIP list, and his hugs make you feel as though you are connecting to the soul of the universe. It's difficult to feel negatively in his presence and he is truly a source of inspiration as I struggle along my own life's journey.

It's for these reasons that Ben is going to be monumentally successful in whatever he chooses to pursue. Fortunately, Ben has decided to share his good vibrations with the world through dance and music. Born in London, raised in the Bay Area, and coming into his own in Los Angeles, Ben Oprstu as we know him now originated in the electronic rock/hip-hop band Robot Love, which evolved into a staple DANCEiSM DJ position and its smaller, charity-oriented offshoot, D.A.N.C.E. to the Underground. Naturally, it doesn't end there. Ben has also designed a few t-shirts and word on the street is that he's about to connect Los Angeles through dance...just you wait and see. It's going to be a revolution in fun, especially when, as Ben himself puts it, "We are all so connected technologically but at the same time we can be so disconnected emotionally, physically, spiritually."

Ben achieves this connection by seamlessly weaving the new, the old, the familiar, and the underground all into one tapestry of fun and dance. When Ben spins, it's all about pursuing the spirit, and he won't shy away from a hot a Britney Spears remix if the mood calls for it. There's no doubt that Ben's got his ear to the ground, but he also has a superb instinct for his audience, tapping into the spirit of the dance floor and feeding it the beats it wants along with the beats it needs, a genuine mixture of fun and skills, and a party you don't want to miss.

Ben was kind enough to indulge me with The Five:

Greatest musical influences?
Thomas Bangalter, Pedro Winter, Wutang Clan, Peanut Butter Wolf, DJ Shadow, Benny Benassi.

What's your gear?
I DJ on serato with a DDM-4000 digital mixer it's got a lot of efx features which i love for making the music DROP.

As far as my live setup, that's yet to be determined... :P

Where can people find you?
DANCEiSM as always, otherwise you can find me at warehouse parties, or The Echo, I'm there like twice a week. Hit me up on Facebook that's the best spot to find me, just search me out, Ben Oprstu oh and join my FB group!

What's your going out/pre-show ritual?
For going out I just get dressed in dance gear, which normally means some kind of leggings are needed.

Pre-show ritual is pretty simple. There's a moment of meditation to find myself in the moment, then there's me stretching, followed by lots of jumping.

I also run a lot to stay fit, because I can't jump around stage like that without some kinda stamina. :D

Something about you that most people don't know.
I never do drugs, and I don't drink very often. Being involved in electronic music, and having such a crazy persona a lot of people who don't know me are always surprised to learn that. I'm a very spiritual person, I spend a lot of time meditating, I'm into moving energy and healing people.



The Tilt Mix - Ben Oprstu


Feeling the itch? Come out tomorrow night for THE JUMP UP! Featuring Ben on the spin and Yours Truly on the lens.