A chat with Scala Muziek founder Pascal Benjamin...

For many years Dutch producer Pascal Benjamin has been churning out dancefloor heat, and recently this evolved into the launch of his Scala Muziek label. The label and events have quickly established themselves, with the EPs being sought after, and the events being successful. Starting so early on means Pascal is still young with a bright career ahead of him so we wanted to catch up with him and see what he has been up to, and what 2025 looks like for an artist flying in an upwards trajectory. His latest EP landed on Scala, four perky and animated cuts for you to check out. We was fortunate enough to premiere "Shifting Grounds"

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Growing up in the Netherlands there are so many different inspirations you could take musically as the culture is so strong there. What were the early days of music like for you? What urged you to become a producer?

Growing up in the Netherlands was great, especially with its rich and diverse music scene. My journey into music started when I was about 7 or 8 years old, playing the drums. I loved jamming along with my favorite tracks—translating feelings into rhythm and energy. My dad played a key role in introducing me to electronic music. He shared stories of his nights out and continuously played records by his favorite DJs, it was his absolute passion. My older brother and I were immediately hooked. My dad’s enthusiasm rubbed off on us so much that he eventually bought us our first set of players. That’s where it all began— endless nights experimenting with music, playing for fun, and trying to capture the essence of what we loved listening to. When I was around 14, I started creating my own tracks and uploaded them to Soundcloud. It was a way to share what I was exploring musically. I even sent them out to people whose opinions I valued, just to see what they thought. That same year, I had my first solo release, which felt like a major milestone. It wasn’t about chasing fame—it was all about the joy of discovering sounds and translating ideas into something tangible.

Shortly after, I began DJing at venues like Studio 80 in Amsterdam. I was only 15 at the time, so my dad, who had been a huge supporter from the start, came along to keep an eye on me. Those early experiences were pivotal, and his encouragement gave me the confidence to fully dive into music.

Congratulations on your latest release on your own label, Scala—a fantastic EP ready for the floor. Will the label just feature music from yourself moving forward? What are the plans music-wise?

Thank you so much! Scala is a deeply personal project, one I’ve been crafting for some time. The label was launched as an extension of my identity—not just as a producer but as a curator of sound and aesthetics. The first two releases were deliberately focused on my productions. I wanted to establish a clear artistic direction and be fully hands-on, from designing the label's identity to overseeing the production process and final sound.

Looking ahead, the label will be more collaborative. For the third release, we’re putting together a VA featuring artists who’ve inspired me or whose sounds align with Scala’s vision. It’s about creating a playground for experimentation, where artists can bring their unique energy. Whether it’s collaborations or standalone tracks, Scala will remain an outlet for authentic and carefully crafted music.

A fun story about the second release: my girlfriend, who plays an integral role in the label (handling social media and promotion), and I were driving to Wildeburg Festival. We were listening to some tracks I’d made over the past few months. Out of nowhere, she said, “This is the next Scala EP.” I hadn’t even thought of these tracks as a cohesive project, but her perspective shifted everything. On the way back, we couldn’t stop replaying them, and that’s when it all clicked. Having her and others close to me involved in the process adds so much meaning. Releasing music can be challenging because I create so much. It’s not just about putting tracks out—it’s about ensuring every release fits Scala’s ethos.

We saw you have also been running events in Amsterdam recently as well. What do you have coming up in terms of that?

Yes, hosting events has been an exciting addition to what I do, and the response so far has been incredible. We started this year and managed to accomplish so much more than we expected in such a short time. We’ve hosted events featuring incredible artists like John Dimas, Gojnea76, Ferro, and recently Marlie and Just Jam. It’s been an amazing experience to see these projects come to life. We are also really happy that we had Dutch artists like Boris Werner, Frank Haag, Mathijs Smit, and Sota who supported us from the start.

This weekend, we’re hosting the second room at Shelter Amsterdam, with Eversines headlining—a Dutch artist we’ve wanted to work with since the beginning. In February, we’re launching a brand-new concept called Echoes at Club Basis in Utrecht in collaboration with DVJ (De Vrije Jongens). This will be our first event outside Amsterdam, and we’re thrilled about it. The lineup includes tiNI, Mauro Moreno, DVJ resident Stijn Van der Meer, and myself. Collaborating with people who share the same vision makes these events extra special.

On top of that, we’re heading to Sri Lanka in January for Scala’s first international event at Dots with Kyle Toole headlining, followed by some amazing bookings abroad that we’ll announce soon. It’s a busy but exciting time for us.

Let’s talk a bit about tech. How is your studio looking at the moment? Any new gear you have got your eye on for the new year?

I’m a huge analog enthusiast, and over the years, I’ve slowly built up the setup I always dreamed of. I share the space with close friends PH Project and Borren, which creates a collaborative environment where we exchange ideas and gear. My workflow is a hybrid of digital and analog. I route everything through my mixer and effects chain, including various effects and an SPL Track One, which adds warmth and character to my sound. I love making things a little dirtier and less polished, giving digital elements more color and depth. During the lockdowns, I dedicated a lot of time to mastering the art of mixing and stem- mastering. It was a steep learning curve but incredibly rewarding. Now, I’m fully equipped to handle my own analog summing and mastering, which has become an essential part of my process. For 2025, I’m eyeing a few new effects units and synths to expand my palette, but as always, it’s about finding tools that truly add value rather than just collecting gear.

 Are there any artists, labels, and events which you have come across lately and could recommend to our readers?

Absolutely. One artist I’ve been consistently impressed with is Sota. He’s incredibly talented, hardworking, and just an all-around great person. I’ve played his tracks for years, and when we launched Scala, he was one of the first residents we brought on board. His music is innovative and has this quality that always fits into my sets. Event-wise, Amsterdam is buzzing with talent right now. There’s an exciting new wave of artists and promoters bringing fresh ideas to the scene. It’s inspiring to see how the community continues to evolve.

How is 2025 looking for you?

2025 is already shaping up to be an amazing year. The calendar is filling up quickly with gigs and projects that I’m incredibly excited about. Here is where you can find me in the next few months, and some others will be announced soon…

27.12 BRET, Amsterdam
31.12 Dots, Sri Lanka
07.01.25 Scala at Dots, Sri Lanka
10.01.25 Pacific by Night, Amsterdam
11.01.25 Nook Club, Romania
17.01.25 Club Roto, Paradiso, Amsterdam
14.02.25 Echoes, Club BASIS, Utrecht
28.02.25 Pascal Benjamin Invites, Yellow House, Amsterdam

Leave us with your favorite track of 2024, and why you like it.

This is such a tough question because I’ve discovered so many incredible tracks this year. If I had to pick one, it would be “Dubaholic” by Picasso. His productions are super well produced, and this track has a unique energy that makes it stand out. Definitely check him out if you haven’t already. And I’m referring to the current Picasso of course haha.

Buy SCALA002 Here: https://pascalbenjamin.bandcamp.com/album/next-horizon-ep-vinyl

Discover Pascal Benjamin here….