The Berlin-based artist benzii’s newest release, a reimagining of her 2024 EP spirallore, is pumped-up, sugar-coated, and ready for peak-time dancefloor burn. Over six remixes, the artist’s source material is taken directly into the smoke and mystery of the club. The release, which features, among others, flips from DJmegan23, Ayegy, and Paul Seul, flies the flag for a distinct brand of internet-native nostalgia, bitcrushed and glistening like the orange residue from a can of Sparks. We sent over some questions to the artist. Read her responses and listen to spirallore +++ below.
How did this new EP come together? What is “riding it” about?
benzii: It all started when I picked up DJing and wished I had dancier versions of my EP spirallore. I hit up some of my favorite producers—friends from real life and online—and just told them to do whatever. What I love is how cohesive it turned out, even though everyone brought their own thing. spirallore +++ really shows where I come from musically and what I love to hear at the club. “riding it” is about duality: It’s both emotional and very physical. Riding through the highs and lows of life, but also … literally riding someone’s son LOL. I like writing with imagery and layers. Eartheater’s been a big influence in that sense.
How would you describe your music to someone who’s never heard it?
Ugh, I always struggle with that and ended up just calling it #benziicore x). It’s experimental club pop with a coming-of-age vibe and a little strangeness. I grew up on Björk, Lorde, Eartheater, and M.I.A.—that probably says it best.
What’s your approach to visuals?
I’m all about authentic and unique world building, so I do my visuals myself—sometimes alone, sometimes in collaboration, and always with the help of my friends. The bull riding idea was actually for the original, but that machine’s expensive af, so I saved it for DJmegan23’s remix. It’s goofy and sexy and weird just like the track. I love how it reflects the lyrics too: I’m literally riding it, going through loops and speed changes, just like life.
Tell us about the Benzii live show.
I try to blend club energy with live performance. I barely take breaks between tracks and build the set into me DJing remixes and influences. I love the idea of live music existing in a club setting—just like it used to in the Myspace era.
How do you approach self-produced tracks vs collaborations?
I’ve only released one fully self-produced track so far. Most of what I start alone ends up being reworked with other producers. I just function better in collaboration. It’s like studying alone versus having someone watch you—you focus more and don’t second guess every idea when someone else is there.
What’s the Berlin scene like right now?
There’s not just one scene here. The one I vibe with feels like 2010s club nostalgia mixed with ambient and trap. For me, it’s less about the clubs and more about the events. My friends run Bleach and Soul Feeder, nights that combine live and DJ sets and book the underground’s hottest local and international stuff. That’s my kinda scene.
