Ben Morris was studying Psychology at university and doing well until on his first late courtyard session at Sounds on Sunday in 2003. Scott Robertson, or Mr Kink as Ben calls him, was there to witness his performance, and after playing a few closing sets at Kink this lead to them working together. The degree was put on hold and in return Ben Morris became a resident.

Last year, after only 3 years on the scene, Ben scored the #24 place in the 2005 Technics inthemix50 DJ Poll, and speaks that this result, “has a lot to do with the strength of Kink as a brand and how loyal our following has become.” Ben’s description of Kink for those who have not yet been is, “phenomenal. Great music, great crowd, a mad Scotsman jumping and screaming on stage. Well worth the price of admission.” Ben describes his own performance behind the decks as “like drinking a case of beer, then doing a Jane Fonda workout on speed. Expect to be worn out.” His influences include “almost everything Sharam Jey put’s his hand to,” as well as Dirty South from Melbourne, “his production and remixes are always on the money and he is a great DJ, one that gives it his all every set.”

Erick Morillo is just one of the many headlining acts that Ben has had the opportunity in working alongside. “Supporting Erick was great. I was at the Old Sublime on Pitt St back in 1998 when he played until god knows what time the next day. So actually warming up for him was awesome. Something I will remember for a while.” When asked who Ben would like to work with in the future he replied, “I am looking forward to warming up for Danny Howells. He is one of the most entertaining DJs I have seen and has always impressed every set I have heard. Rumour is that he is playing at Kink’s 3rd Birthday on the 6th of May.”

Since the start of 2006 Morris has worked at large events and festivals such as the Big Day Out and Good Vibrations, although Ben reveals that his favourite was the Future Music Festival in early March. “Future Music was one of the best vibes I have seen at an outdoor festival… actually it was the best!” When asked if there was any goss that can be shared on what happened backstage at these events, Ben laughed and revealed that all his booze was stolen at BDO so he had to raid a few band rooms in return.

Ben has recently released his debut mix CD compilation, mixed alongside famed German house/tech/breaks/electro master Moguai. I enquired how the club came to choose Moguai to mix their first CD release along with Morris. “Moguai was one of our biggest and best nights of last. We shared many Jaeger shots with him and got on like a house on fire. He loved playing at Kink and even names a track released on his label named after the club, ‘Live at Kink’. He then seemed like the natural choice to help launch the first in what will hopefully become and exciting series of Kink compilations.”

With so much going on, what does a rising star in the DJ scene get up to on his time off? “Sleep mostly. But I do have a basketball team full of DJs and punters which is a good laugh.” He’ll have to wait until the end of April, though, as Morris will be kept busy touring the country to launch the new CD, before starting an Audio Engineering course and beginning work on his own home studio. So, although getting back to that Psychology degree seems unlikely at present, that only gives us more of a chance to see Ben Morris behind the decks.

Grab a copy of the Kink CD, mixed by Ben Morris and Moguai, out now through Ministry of Sound/EMI.