Ebb & Flow : Ben "Button" Hubbard Glover Profile

Ebb & Flow: Button

with LVSHES

"Never lose faith in yourself. Ever."

Check out my in-person interview with Ben, (there's a lightshow at the end that will blow your mind).

Ben Hubbard aka Button or Ben Dover Button is a Portland native. The 20 year old has been gloving for 4 years and 6 months (but who’s counting), and it's safe to say that gloving has become instinctual than a routine. Twiddling with his fingers he answers my questions with a little humor and a whole lot of heart (and shout outs, see if you got one!--I did not).

How much is gloving apart of your life? Practice daily? What's your gloving "routine"?

"If I'm not practicing intentionally I'm at least wiggling my fingers in some kind of fashion. My usual gloving routine is whenever I hear a song, to try and work on musicality and new moves if I think of them."

How did you start gloving? 

"I originally heard of gloving from one of my friends from school that rode my bus, my Sophomore year of High School, she leaned over to me and showed me "Skrillex - Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites" and started to do a finger roll and seeing that made me want to look it up when I got home, so once I got home I searched "lightshow tutorial" and came across Sharky's tutorials, that's where it all started."

What is your gloving style?

"My gloving style would be considered very "techy". I have an unusual style that I like to call "triangle tech". I've been working a lot on tuts though."

How do you feel about dancing?

"I love dancing, whether you dance with your feet, hands, or your entire body, I love it. Dance is a perfect way to express yourself if you don't know how to do it with your words."

Who do you like gloving to or what kind of music?

"I really don't have a preference of what music I glove too, I can glove to anything. If I had to choose though, I would have to go with Melbourne bounce."

Do you like knowing the song before your glove or do you just go with it?  

"If I know the song the chances of me throwing a better show are higher but I also love gloving to songs I don't know because it tests my ability to hit beats that I don't know are coming or beats that I'm not used too. It forces me out of my comfort zone which helps me get better."

What is the best thing a human can do whose face you just melted?

"The best thing someone could ever do after getting their face melted by me is to get their face melted by the rest of my team keep that ball rollin’!"

Tell me more about all the shenanigans with Concept Creators!

"Hmmm, well with the Concept Creators story, it was pretty funny how I came about the opportunity to get on the top 8 bracket. I went to Seattle for Lucky2015 and while up there I was hanging out with the very well-known Megasloth (Shout out to that homie!) and after coming back to Portland we were talking via Facebook messaging and he told me to try out for CC, so I did not thinking I would get anywhere with the video and about a week later I got a message from a member of CC, Adam Dale aka R-Dub (another shout out to that guy!) and he straight up told me that he thought my tryout was fire and that some of the other teammates liked my video, I was absolutely star struck about how someone so well-known noticed me and actually liked my gloving. About another week later I get a message from Michael Bartness aka Papa Panda (I see you boy!) congratulating me on getting the top 8 of the CC competition, so I checked my notifications and he wasn't joking, and yeah, that was about it."

What tips do you have for other glovers or best you glove by.

"Some tips are to never give up, and never feel like you can never glove again or you can never come up with concepts or any negative thought, it takes time and effort. I've poured my blood sweat and tears (LITERALLY) into gloving. Never lose faith in yourself. Ever."

What has the creation of PLAN done for you and you for PLAN?

"The creation of PLAN has done the greatest thing in the world for me. It's given me friends. Before PLAN I didn't know ANYONE. I thought I was the only glover in the Portland based area that wanted to get Portland known, obviously that was not the case. Now I have people like YOU! (meaning all of PLAN) that I can call my friends. What I've hopefully done for PLAN is been a big face for it. I always want to make people happy and want more people to be involved and love the scene as much as I do. A couple months back I also did a Tech workshop and after that I've seen everyone that attended my workshops tech improve massively. You guys are more then my friends, you're my family, and I couldn't thank you enough for entering my life. I am forever grateful to all of you."

Anything else?

"A couple shout outs, Tj Bundy, I freaking love you man, you're my brotha from another motha, and being the captain of our team alongside you is such an amazing feeling. Alex Perrin, dude, I remember when I first met you and we both were not nearly as good as we are now. You've helped me improve so much and I'm going to miss the hell out of you. 

PLAN team bonding

Jared Geber, your improvement astonishes me, you're such an inspiration to me and everyone that see's you and your bendy fingers. 

Christopher Prewett, your style is something else man. You’re freaking nuts and you're such an inspiration to move my body more when gloving. Andrew Henderson, dude, I miss you so much, and your style is something else. Such a great person and such a talented glover. 

Kyle Smith, watching you improve blows my freaking mind. I remember you being just a guy that threw whips on whips on whips, and watching you expand into your style now makes my eyes want to pop out of my head. 

Jesse Chavez, you were my first friend that was into gloving as much as I am, thank you for being there for me when times were rough and also being such a great teacher, I wouldn't be even close to where I am now if it wasn't for you. 

Tito, you and Tj have created my dream for the last 4 years and 6 months. To create a community purely based on PLURR and art, whether that's painting or jewelry or drawing or dancing or DJing or gloving or hooping or poi or staffing, or just being someone that comes for the love of all the art. I seriously couldn't thank you enough. I am forever grateful to you and everyone that has kept it going. 

And to everyone else, you are such a huge inspiration to get better. Thank you for being my friends, thank you for being my family, and most of all, thank you for just being you. I love you all so much." 

I sincerely hope to see you at our next event on May 29th (deets announced soon kids) until then,

LVSHES

See what we're about. And join us.

The Remix: HumbleCash DJ Profile

THE REMIX: A DIFFERENT KIND OF INTERVIEW

Featuring: HUMBLECASH
words by LVSHES

“I love showing people new music and sharing a connection through sound.”

Last week I talked about how PLAN is an opportunity to show the PNW just what this EDM scene...thing...community is all about. While the flight attendants and pilots are still answering tough questions about who we are and where we want to go, one thing rings true: we are  a small stage for local DJs.

I had the privilege of interviewing Niekone Jonathan Chinyavong, better known to PLANners as HumbleCash or Johnny about what it’s like to be an aspiring DJ and awesome human. From watching him DJ to hanging out to this interview it’s apparent that he embodies what PLAN is all about. Don’t take my word for it though, read on to learn more about the man who goes by HumbleCash.

Wendy & Johnny

The 23-year-old DJ grew up in a busy, Laotian household of four younger half siblings and two step siblings. His family helps fuel his fire, his music is influenced by his late great grandma, Grandpa, and half-brother Spencer. His top musical inspirations are Lauren Hill, Porter Robinson, 3LAU, Adventure Club, ZHU, and BONES (solid selection my friend). He listens to a wide range of music, think—Hot Stuff by Donna Summers to Pressure Point by The Zutons.

He likes:

Music (and always has)

His girlfriend Wendy (me too).

Dogs!!

Favorite food is...food.

How much is DJing a part of your life?

I have been DJing since 2012-13 so about two and a half years. My interest in music has been continuous throughout most of my life. When I was younger I banged on pots and pans and as I grew older I played the flute in band. I have an eternally increasing collection of music from middle school that is more than ten thousand songs strong.

How did you start DJing? What kept you going?

When I first started DJing (First set ever recorded) to me it was more of a hobby between my friend Eddy Montes (Vitamin Eee) and me. At the time we were using Eddy's gear because I did not have any. After a year I started getting really into it and I finally purchased my first controller. I played my first show at my fraternity house for a party. That is where I played Humblecash Mix 7  live.

Currently I only DJ but eventually I would love to get into producing. I spend about 1/3 of my time DJing or doing things related to Djing. Every day I spend several hours reading through different sites for music and tutorials. I don't actually practice with my controller unless I am able to have a 4+ hour session and that happens about once or twice a week.

What do you usually start with when preparing for a set?

When I am preparing for a set it really depends on how I want to play it. There are times when I want to play on the spot so I choose a couple of songs that I know I want to play though out the night and “wing” the rest. When it is a set I want to be more thought out then I choose the songs I want to play but then I try to highlight them by using other songs.

The relationship with the audience is crucial for a DJ, and yet it seems to be a fragile one. How do you see the balance between giving the crowd what they want and treating them to something new?

I really try to think of how each song works with each other and how the audience might or will react to it. The audience/crowd is a very important part of Djing. It's what makes or breaks the set. When I play a set I always think what I love to hear in a set but I think about the audience more. When I think of how my set should go I always place myself in the crowd rather than in the booth because they are what is most important. I know I should play songs the crowd wants to hear because that IS what is going to get them excited and enjoy what I am playing. Those songs are what will make them feel connected to the DJ and the rest of the crowd. I really do not like just playing a song because everyone knows it, rather I love playing a song because I can give it a new feeling and add character to it. I will always play what will connect my music and myself to the crowd but often I will try to lead them down a different path where I can share “new” music or express how it could have sounded. Hear his first live set.

What makes a strong transition from one track to the next from your point of view and how do you see the relative importance of establishing a flow versus creating tension through suspenseful breaks in continuity?

Creating a flow or rhythm is very important. It's not only important for the DJ but the crowd as well. When you are playing your set you need to know the crowd is like a tide. It will come in and out mainly because people need rest. Not everyone can dance for hours on end. So by creating a rhythm in your set where people are “allowed” to rest and come back makes them feel like they did not miss much and they can still continue jamming out like nothing happened.

A strong set can be truly be more than the sum of its parts. How, do you feel, is the music transformed in the hands of a DJ? In which way are you actively trying to create an experience that is more than just stringing together a few excellent records?

Track transitions are also important because that is how you piece everything together. It's how you change the mood in the music. A good transition is when you can take the current “vibe” and change it so they want more of whatever is coming next. A DJ is good when they can influence the crowd at most points throughout the set. Music in the hands of a DJ is much like playing with Legos. There are so many different pieces and you can either recreate the object that is was meant for or build something new. I believe as I said before I like to create an experience that is both familiar yet feels new.

How do you see the relationship between music and the space it is performed at? What’s performing at PLAN like for you?

When I am playing at PLAN I still get really nervous. I am always nervous that I still might mess up and clear the floor. I want only the best for the crowd and myself. There is not much you can do before hand to hype yourself up because I think everyone gets excited. The key is to keep calm and be level headed.

What’s up next for you?

Currently I am planning to play for Unity Productions to gain more experience and eventually a residency at a club in town.

What is the best advice you ever got? Best DJ advice you ever got? Or maybe something you wish you had gotten?

The best advice given/learned/taken is take your time and work hard. Learn your faults and work on them. Don't force it, it's easier to try to listen, watch, and try to understand it. Be open to new or different ideas. Lastly, don't be quick to judge because everyone has beautiful aspects about them.

Photo credit: Heeroic Studios Photography

Hear HumbleCash at PLAN's next event, Spring Into the Light. Boarding passes are going fast (no that's not a sales gimmick it's true), $5 here.

Then & Now & What's To Come - March PLAN.E Event Recap

The bellow is a video version of my story. But I encourage you to read on readers.

Last week PLAN put on its third sold out show of the year, Rave the Rainbow. Held on a weekday to appease those who earn their livelihood on the weekends and for those of us who start our weekends early, the March installment went off--but not without a hitch.

Part of PLAN’s mission is to “develop an all encompassing community of artists by bringing them together to create an electric atmosphere.” Community is created through trust, which comes from transparency. And that’s what we’re going to get into right here right now. Excited? You bet your bass you are.

The last event showed how much we’ve grown. DanceSafe hung out and hooped with us. We had two vendors, Fractal Factory gave us cool gadgets and garb to look at (and well buy) and Art by Ayla whose talent I couldn’t fully comprehend no matter how many times I asked her did she really make all of this? The event also brought to light that with that growth comes a need for the pilots and flight attendants to ask some tough questions about who we really are and where we want to go (article to come).

We had new faces and are still enjoying our new spaces with a full line-up of DJs who get better by the beat. The art wall was bigger and as colorful as a rainbow, and the photobooth was a hit as always. Security was bumped up a notch and most of you had the pleasure of coming across the “leprechaun” when you first entered.

The “leprechaun” is actually Luke Stine who’s a big part of security. That glittery wristband you got?--he cut up 190 something of those. Devon Wrue Flores, our resident photographer, raced to PLAN after work to frantically set up while in the midst of a nasty cold. Our videographer after months of saving and research finally got his first camera and was super stoked to capture the event. What I’m getting at is we are all more than meets the eye.

In our culture, which is so controversial and may never truly be defined, we are judged. I have had to hide my Facebook page from professional connections because of this negative connotation of the EDM world. I get asked if I’m going to be half-naked at the next show (damn right I am), if I fist pump non-stop (probably), and if I like it when the bass drops (nope, not at all, that’s the worst part).

And that’s just what I get daily if it comes into conversation but as you know the list goes on. Assumptions of drug use, irresponsibility, promiscuity and partying flood our media about electronic music, kandi, gloving and more. It’s not all bad vibes but I’ll bet my EDC ticket you’ve experienced it too. This is so incredibly ironic because I believe we pride ourselves on cultivating an accepting and loving attitude towards ourselves and others.

With PLAN we have the opportunity to defy these stereotypes through simply being ourselves. PLAN began and thrived on a simple idea: “Our mission is to develop an all encompassing community of artists by bringing them together to create an electric atmosphere.” And as we grow the need to stay true to our core and our hearts is more important than ever.

PLAN gives us a place to truly be ourselves or at least help us accept and in turn find ourselves. When the respect and responsibility part of PLURR is lost, so is a part of PLAN. We are not here to create or foster an environment that meshes with what the media and outsiders already think of us, we are here to create an uplifting, authentic, organic environment based on peace, love, unity, responsibility and respect.

So please join us at our next event, Spring Into the Light April 24th at 8 PM. Which will be a celebration of who we are at our core, and who we can become together.

See you all there sunshines,

LVSHES

To not miss a beat (get it?) of PLAN’s happenings follow us on Facebook.

Passes for April's event

Check out this event's sets:

Coyot3

Humble Cash

Tr33 House Collective

SketchyHandz

Konducterr.

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