Name: Ben Yang
Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Major: Psychology
Relationship status: Single
Year: Senior
Meet this week’s Campus Cutie Ben Yang. Ben is an insanely talented DJ here in Tallahassee and is going to make it big one day so it’s a good idea to get to know him! If not for that, then maybe for the fact that he has his very own pet pig. Still not convinced? Well I’m happy to report that Ben is a terrific guy! Check out our interview below:
Her Campus (HC): How long have you been into music?
Ben Yang (BY): I have been surrounded by music my whole life. My mom plays the organ, piano, bass – really any instrument. My dad plays viola and violin. They actually met in an orchestra and I was pretty much raised in the green room of an orchestra hall. I started playing piano when I was 8. A few years later I taught myself how to play guitar. Freshmen year I started DJing and started learning how to produce my own music.
HC: Do you plan on pursuing music or a job using your Psychology degree?
BY: I originally wanted to get my doctorate in Psychology but last year I decided I didn’t want to go to med school. Now I’m finishing my degree but working on pursuing a career in music. I really want to make instrumentals for rappers and play my own music at music festivals. My dream is to perform at Coachella. I’ll get there one day. I have lot of friends who are involved in labels so opportunities are really blossoming.
HC: Do you perform around Tallahassee?
BY: I perform at a lot of Greek mixers and socials. I’m also a part of an electronic music duo called High Beams with my buddy Chase Osborne. Last spring we opened for GTA at Coliseum. In November, we opened for Caked Up at Coliseum. Just last week we opened for Hodor from Game of Thrones at Encore. We actually just found out we’ll be playing at the Colors of the Wind Festival April 3rd so we’re really excited!
HC: Do you get nervous playing at these large venues in front of your peers?
BY: Not really. I usually feel a little nervous about 10 minutes before we go on. I don’t really have a ritual. I just choose songs based off our playlist and go with my gut.
HC: Is there someone you look up to in the industry?
BY: I really look up to J Cruz from Ethnikids. He’s a producer here in town that really took me under his wing. He’s been like my mentor. He’s helped me step up my game and introduced me to a lot of people. I owe a lot of my success to him.
HC: So you have a pet pig. Why? More importantly, how can I get one?
BY: Yes I have a pig. His name is Kevin Bacon. I got him last year with a couple of my fraternity brothers. We were having a party and wanted to have a pig there. We were planning on returning him after a few days but Kevin and I really got along and I decided to keep him. We got him about an hour and a half outside of Tallahassee at this farm in the middle of nowhere. They sell pigs for pets so you could have one too!
HC: What’s it like having a pig? Is he like a dog?
BY: It’s great! He’s actually a lot more like a cat because he uses a litter box. He’s a great conversation starter and he’s really attached to me, which is cool. He’s also involved in my music because one day when we were trying to come up with a logo for High Beams we looked at Kevin and had a light bulb moment. Now we use him a lot on our social media page. People love it!
Check out High Beams’ Facebook page to listen to their music, find out about upcoming shows and see more ridiculously cute pictures of Kevin Bacon.