Ben Stunden, Kelowna DJ and music producer, has a goal to follow his musical passion full time.

The Capital News sat down with Stunden, 26, to discuss his career choice, what a typical day looks in the life of a DJ (it involves coffee) and why he goes by STUND.

Q: How did you get into deejaying?

A: The reason why the whole music thing started was my parents used to run a music festival back in the day so I would volunteer at it and I played music myself. I think it was deadmau5 that got me into it. Isa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½™ve been taking the whole music production/deejaying thing seriously for four years now.

I went to the university of Lethbridge and started doing my own shows. It was more people I knew who would be making music so I took that on with my friend.

Q: Did you go to university for music production?

A: No, Isa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½™m all self taught. My brother went to KATO and took audio engineering so that helped me. But I basically taught myself off of YouTube videos. I have a business degree.

Q: There seems to be a significant number of DJs in Kelowna, how do you stand out?

A: I think if you want to see any form of success you have to treat it professionally. I have a studio, I try to work. Itsa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½™s not just a hobby for me so I try to use all the resources available to make it a career. I also make tracks for other artists so itsa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½™s not just my music. This one guy I was recording, it was acoustic.

Q: Are there benefits to working in Kelowna?

A: Working in the BEATLAB (a music studio above Social Lounge) I have access to all this equipment. I think having a crew who thinks like yousa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½” yousa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½™re all sharing tracks, putting on shows, and talking in the same spacesa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½” really helps.

Q: How do you divide your time?

A: I try to make my own stuff everyday. Itsa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½™s funny, I solve all my studio issues away from the studio. Then with recording artists itsa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½™s all in the studio and Isa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½™ll have them sit with me for a bit. Isa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½™ll wake up, get a coffee and then hit the studio for a good six-hour stretch. When making songs from scratch I usually start with drums and I build a baseline, and then I can hear in my head a theme for the song. Then I search for catchy hooks.

Where do you want to see yourself in the next few years?

I want to be sustained off of music. Thatsa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½™s the idea of success for me. The fact that I can record artists, get paid for shows, and work in the studio, if I can keep it all as that, thatsa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½™d be good enough. But eventually, three years after that my goal will change, but right now I just want to be fully immersed in music. I also work at KRAFTY right now. Isa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½™m a busy guy.

Where did STUND come from?

My brother Thomas, his DJ name is Berg. He started doing serious music production before me and he said he needed a DJ name. I said you should call yourself STUND, itsa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½™s part of our last name. Itsa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½™s one syllable, itsa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½™s a word, artists play with their last names and he said sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½˜I donsa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½™t know.sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½™ I said sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½˜fine, Isa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½™m going to do itsa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½™ and I donsa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½™t think Isa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½™m ever going to change it.

Q: What kind of music do you and your brother play?

A: Hesa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½™s all bass music and I play house music.

Q: Whatsa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½™s the difference between bass and house music?

A: House music is roughly 128 beats per minute. When you listen to mine itsa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½™s groovy. (My brothersa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½™s) is on the low end and sub bass stuff. I like stuff that has a really good groove. Itsa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½™s more approachable Isa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½™d say.

Stunden is a part of the Capital Newsa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½™s latest video project called Carlisa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½™s Corner. Every two weeks throughout the summer, reporter Carli Berry will interview local musicians in a quick Q&A on kelownacapnews.com. Check online Friday, Sept. 1 for the final edition of the segment.