Ben Aqua is an Austin-based producer and DJ fusing hyperpop, dark cybernetic club music, and synth-punk surrealism. From launching the #FEELINGS label to scoring spots for Apple, Adidas, and Google, Ben’s work bridges high-velocity electronic productions with cute-but-terrifying performance art.
Ben Aqua DJing in St Louis
Ben Aqua SXSW interview
Ben Aqua recording "Jack's Lament" cover
THE LORE...
Ben Aqua's bizarre music journey began in the late 1990s as a guitarist and drummer in high school punk bands. In 2003, while studying design & art at the University of Texas at Austin, Ben spawned ASSACRE - a "queer metal demigod", fusing death/thrash metal with sound collage and absurdist, homoerotic performance art. ASSACRE released a demo in 2004, followed by a full-length album, 'Fantastic Illusions Worth Dying For', in 2005. The project garnered a dedicated underground cult following through decadent costumes and confrontational performances at DIY guerrilla art spaces, landing bookings alongside artists like Lightning Bolt, The Locust, and Cattle Decapitation.
ASSACRE
ASSACRE
ASSACRE
ASSACRE by Stephanie Bonham
ASSACRE live in Alamo, TX
ASSACRE live at Emo's 2006
ASSACRE live at Emo's 2007
In the late 2000s, Ben's obsession with 1970s and '80s Italo disco and synth pop birthed MVSCLZ - a solo project exploring hyper, synth-infused dance music with theatrical pop vocals. MVSCLZ released the "Feel Like Yourself Again" EP in 2009 and shared stages with acts like A Flock of Seagulls, Glass Candy, Dan Deacon, and Lady Miss Kier of Deee-lite.
MVSCLZ
MVSCLZ
MVSCLZ
In the early 2010s, Ben Aqua began DJing and producing under their own name, embracing futuristic, genre-bending hyperpop and club music. Their fast-paced DJ sets gained international traction following viral SoundCloud bootleg remixes of Nicki Minaj, Beyoncé, and Ciara. In 2011, Ben produced a series of warehouse parties in Austin and founded the experimental club music label #FEELINGS, which helped launch the careers of Björk collaborators Rabit and Lotic.
From 2011-2014, Ben released a string of singles and remixes for STRFKR, YACHT, and Balmorhea, plus production on "Red River" for Gorillaz collaborator Zebra Katz. They DJd throughout the US alongside acts like The Crystal Method, Gary Numan, Madeon, Com Truise, and Neon Indian. In 2014, Ben released their debut full-length album, 'Virtual Anticipation', followed by a controversial Resident Advisor podcast featuring key hyperpop pioneers SOPHIE and A. G. Cook from PC Music.
Ben Aqua DJing in St. Louis
Ben Aqua DJing w/ Madeon and Com Truise
Ben Aqua
Ben continued crafting remixes for Fischerspooner, Anamanaguchi, Hatsune Miku, and TT The Artist, as well as the collaborative single "ANARCHY" with Ary Warnaar from Anamanaguchi. In 2018, Ben's music was featured in Apple’s “Shot on iPhone” ad campaign, leading to further commercial placements for brands like Adidas and Google. Ben's music has also been featured by Skrillex's Nest HQ, Mad Decent, Interview Magazine, The Creators Project, VICE, Dummy Mag, FADER, and BUTT Magazine.
Ben Aqua w/ DJ Spinn, Gant-Man of TekLife
Ben Aqua
Ben Aqua DJing w/ SOPHIE
Music Bookings
SXSW / Together Festival / The Crystal Method / Gary Numan / DJ Rashad / SOPHIE / TRUST / Big Freedia / NGUZUNGUZU / Zebra Katz / Neon Indian / STRFKR / Madeon / Com Truise / YACHT / Evian Christ / Run DMT / Lightning Bolt / The Locust / Dan Deacon / A Flock Of Seagulls / Kingdom
Official Remixes
Fischerspooner - Top Brazil (Ultra, 2018)
Anamanaguchi - Miku ft. Hatsune Miku (Polyvinyl, 2017)
TT The Artist - Lavish (Space Is The Place, 2016)
Gillepsy - I’m Web (Hyperboloid, 2015)
Big Dipper - Vibin’ (2015)
Soft Vision - Summerhouse Later (Acoustic Division, 2014)
Balmorhea - Heir II (Western Vinyl, 2014)
YACHT - Second Summer (DFA, 2013)
STRFKR - Leave It All Behind (Polyvinyl, 2013)
Marcus Price & Carli - Flaska & Bas (Palms Out Sounds, 2013)
Feathers - Dark Matter (2013)
Chants - Don’t Miss U (Hush Hush, 2013)
Outlaw Producer - Ninjas (Kursed, 2012)
Lotic - Rendez-vous (#FEELINGS, 2011)
Music Production
Zebra Katz - Red River (2013)