Ben Rau’s journey into electronic music began long before he picked up decks; he was a raver first, drawn to the intensity of early nights and the sense that this was something he wanted every weekend. That early commitment led him to DJing while at university and soon after to production — a shift that turned creativity into a daily necessity. In this conversation he reflects on the moments, habits and practical lessons that have defined a career spent between Berlin and London, behind labels and in long club rooms.

When did you first realise DJing and making music was something you wanted to do for real, and what stuck with you from those early moments?

Long before I became a DJ, I was a raver. I started going out in my late teens and, from the first electronic night I attended — which was hard trance back in the day — I knew I wanted to be part of it every weekend. At university, I began DJing and fell in love with it, and pretty quickly decided this would be my profession. Making music followed naturally and, from that point on, creativity became a necessity in my life.

Is there a particular gig or crowd that still stands out to you as a turning point, and what made it memorable?

There are so many memorable nights and crowds that it’s hard to single one out. What did stick with me, though, was my first residency at the China Club in Hamburg. Playing six- to seven‑hour sets on Saturday nights taught me my craft. I didn’t earn much money for those gigs, but the time in that room and the commitment to being there every week were fundamental to learning how to DJ.

When you’re digging for records or looking for new tracks, what catches your ear first — a groove, a sample, a mood — and why?

It’s difficult to break down into one element; usually it’s a hook — a cool vocal, a melody, an unusual lead sound or a strong bass line. After twenty‑five years of DJing, I can tell within two or three seconds whether a track will work for me. It’s the overall impression that matters.

How do you decide which tracks to play when you’re building a set live — do you plan a shape, follow the room, or trust a feeling in the moment?

There is preparation in my sets: I tend to move from mellower material towards higher energy and then towards more emotional chords at the end, creating a story arc. However, any plan must be ready to be abandoned if the dancefloor isn’t responding. You have to reassess on the fly. My aim is to ease people into the groove, reach a euphoric midset, and then offer release through emotional moments at the close.

Running INKAL and META alongside DJing, what’s one small part of label work that you actually enjoy more than people might expect?

I’ve had a label manager for many years, so the part I’m most involved in — and the part I genuinely enjoy — is choosing the music. The administrative side like accounting and commissioning artwork is repetitive, but picking a track and feeling confident it can do well never gets old.

What’s a simple studio habit or trick you use to keep ideas moving when a track feels stuck?

Start with a vocal or a chord progression, and leave the beats and bass until after you’ve done the heavy lifting: the melodies and harmonies. I’ve lost steam many times when starting with a beat and a weak bass line; starting with a melody keeps the creative momentum.

When you’re on tour, what’s the thing you miss most from home, and conversely, what aspect of travel do you miss when you’re back home?

I miss sleeping in my own bed and having my routine; hotel rooms are pretty generic. On the flip side, I love countries with strong culinary cultures — Australia and many parts of Asia are favourites because of the food. Touring gives me chances to explore those scenes and find new spots to eat, which I really enjoy.

What would you tell a younger DJ or producer starting out today that you wish someone had told you then?

Work ethic is everything. This career is for people who can motivate themselves and show up consistently. That’s exactly what I teach in my Music School Dojo: not just how to make music, but the mindset behind success. Our podcast on the Dojo YouTube channel goes into more detail on practical steps to accelerate a DJ career.

Ben’s answers map a path from youthful obsession to disciplined practice: long residencies, steady listening habits and a focus on melody and storytelling in both production and performance. For anyone following his trajectory, the lesson is clear — show up, cultivate taste, and let the music do the guiding.