Pluto is Ben Marcus: DJ, party thrower, and artist based in Chicago.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do. My name is Pluto. This name was originally given to the loft when we started throwing large scale disco raves in 2009. At that time my DJ name was DJ Jean Shorts. I took the name of the space in 2013 when I realized that the parties I threw and me Djing could be integrated into one. I thought by taking on the name I could keep the magic of the the Pluto parties alive. Right now I am collaboratively throwing a monthly party at Berlin called Total Therapy and focusing on making my own music.
How has living in Chicago affected your music? Chicago is where House Music was born. The city being as humble as it is and giving birth to a global music movement is really inspiring.
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What kinds of things are influencing your music right now? When I fall in love with a track, I’m inspired to make a mix that gives that song a place to shine, to find other songs that will compliment and give context to it. This includes the urge to then find or make a party to play this song as loud as possible at. But as far as the music I am working on, the drums in Jordy’s Dur Dur D’etre Bebe, bass lines of Mr. Fingers, the elegance of Art Of Noise and Todd Terje’s bells and hooks!
If you were a drink, what drink would you be? COCONUT WATER.
How did your interest in music begin? My dad made me really good mix tapes when I was a kid. Super eclectic, funky and funny music that I still love.
Do you have groupies and what are they like? Whoever is rolling the hardest.
Can you share one of the best or worst reactions you have gotten as a result of your music? After a long set I think someone told me it was like I fucked everyone in the room exactly how they wanted to be fucked. That’s a nice thing to say to anyone!
What past trends in music do you think should never come back? Making serious claims about any type or method of making music being better than any other. Context for music is very important.
Where is your favorite/ideal place to perform? I started throwing my own parties to create the place I wanted to play in and the place I think other people wanted to dance in. The parties we threw at ‘Pluto’ between 2010 and 2012 were amazing. The amount of effort to transform the loft into a hallucinogenic cartoon night club made the party a real celebration of friendship and if-you-make-it-they-will-come style high five’s and hugs. That sense of illegal victory makes for an ideal party atmosphere. I apologize to everyone for being stressed out though.
What do you want a viewer to walk away with after hearing your music? Life is a song.
Have a listen to this exclusive LVL3 Mix by Pluto: