An Interview with Ben Daglish

by Neil Carr

Ben needs little introduction. As a pioneer of C64 music, his feel good anthems made him a household name on the c64. His most popular music includes: Trap, Deflektor, Krakout, Bulldog and Foft (ST/Amiga). We asked Ben about his time on the c64 and what he thinks about the current C64 remix scene. Here is what he had to say…

Real name: Ben Daglish

Handle: Benn

Born: 1967

Nationality: British

Interview date: 26 April 2001


Neil

Which other C64 composers did you respect?

Ben

Rob, mainly. I didn't actually listen to a lot of others. Martin I liked for his sounds, but he wasn't as musical as Rob.

Picture of Chis Abbott and Ben Daglish at work on the remix of Trap
Neil

Which non Ben Daglish Sids did you like?

Ben

My favourite was always 'Master of Magic' - I was so disappointed to find out it was ripped off 😊)

Neil

Which tunes that you composed were you most proud of?

Ben

Proud… funny word… Trap was my first 'full-length' composition with intro and codas and everything… I was quite proud of that. I also liked FOFT (don't think I did it on the C64, it was an ST game, but me and a mate also recorded a 'studio' version on tape to go in the box.)

Neil

How did the idea of W.E.M.U.S.I.C take shape?

Ben

Tony & I wanted to make money writing music for games….needed a company - simple as that.

Neil

While talking to many c64 remix arrangers Trap is often mentioned as being one of their favourite tunes, Why do you think this is?

Ben

Like I said above, it's quite a biggie, with lots of little bits… I was definately on an 'orchestral' kick at the time…

Neil

Ben Daglish is often well known as a C64 composer, but you did work on many other formats. Why did you stop composing computer music?

Ben

A few reasons. Years of working on 3 voice chips started doing my head in…..but also the industry had changed - it was all blokes in suits 'selling boxes'.

Neil

I recently heard a Beta version of Trap for the forthcoming Back In Time 3 CD. (which I can tell you, I was mightily impressed) What can you tell our readers about this remake?

Ben

I went down to see Chris for a day - we jammed arounnd, and I sketched out a few ideas for how I thought Trap should be treated, which Chris recorded and subsequently did a mighty fine job of extrapolating (forgive the pun) and completing. He played me the 'beta' versiona couple of weeks ago, and I suggested a few refinements, but basically the work was all done by Chris.

Neil

How did you come to work with Chris on his BIT 3 album?

Ben

Er… he asked me. 😊

Neil

What are your early impressions on the Bit3 CD?

Ben

I like it.

Neil

What do you think about the Bitlive idea?

Ben

Great! I'm looking forward to it.

Neil

Do you miss the c64, or did you just treat it as a job?

Ben

I never 'miss' anything - I enjoyed working on the C64, just like I enjoy conducting, or enjoy doing childrens workshops - for me, it has always been about music, rather than how the music was done.

Neil

Ben Daglish was and still is a highly respected composer. Tony Crowther also was a highly respected programmer, What was the background to your partnership?

Ben

Well documented elsewhere, but basically we went to school together - knew each other from being 14/15.

Neil

Are you surprised that the C64 Music scene still lives on, after all this time?

Ben

Yes!

Neil

What did you like/dislike about the sid chip?

Ben

Likes - marvellous sounds… analogue feel.

Dislikes/Challenges - limited polyphony, to say the least… non-standard filter circuits (you never had ANY idea how it was gonna sound on another machine…)

Neil

How do you feel about arrangers remixing your work, and is there one single track that has made an impression on you?

Ben

It's great - nice to be appreciated without having to work for it myself………….As to track…well, I quite liked 'Deflektor' with the 'dayodayo'… I fancy playing on that live someday 😊

Neil

Will you be working on any more remixes of your music for the future BIT CD’s?

Ben

Probably - assuming people still buy them.

Neil

If there was a tune that you have not composed that you would have liked to have claimed as your own, what would it be and why?

Ben

Beethoven's Fifth - but I reckon I'd be found out.

Neil

Ben Daglish was known for creating feel good music, was this your intention?

Ben

Yup. That's me - feelgood bouncy Benn.

Ben Daglish (Image taken from composers.c64.org)
Neil

Have you ever considered returning to composing computer music?

Ben

Not really… maybe if the right job came up.

Neil

What were your fondest memories of the c64?

Ben

The scene - getting blasted at a show then going back to Minter's for Star Wars…..etc.

Neil

Was there a tune you made for a software house that you knew was sub standard?

Ben

Many many many.

Neil

Are you going to name some?

Ben

Nope

Neil

Why did you start composing music on the c64?

Ben

Because Tony asked me to.

Neil

So, if it wasn't for Tony, do you think you would be here Today?

Ben

Depends upon your take on Fate and all that - I'd still be Here, Now… just with a bunch of different There, Thens… maybe if Tony hadn't asked, somebody else would have the next day… who can tell?

Neil

What are your thoughts on the state of music in modern games?

Ben

Same as my thoughts on modern music… on all music in fact - some good, some bad - generally the more commercial, the poorer.

Neil

What was it like working with Rob Hubbard on the music for Auf W. Monty, did you have any disagreements, or was it plain sailing?

Ben

Nope - it was all great fun. Just spent a few days jamming - what more could you want?

Neil

Lastly what is Ben Daglish doing now, and what does the future hold for you?

Ben

I'm being a dad & husband, an actor, a rock musician, a PERL programmer, a director of R&D for an ISP, a workshop leader, session player and sleeping whenever I get the chance.

As you can tell from the last question, Ben is a busy guy, lending a hand to a large amount of interests. Music is a major factor for Ben, be it in computer games or as a session player. I for one will never forget the epic Trap theme or the Jolly theme tune to Kettle.

- Neil