Ben Klock's CLR Podcast 017 From 2009 Is a Timestamp Worth Revisiting
Before Ben Klock became the name synonymous with marathon Berghain sets and a certain strain of relentless, loop-driven techno, he was already showing exactly what kind of DJ he intended to be. The CLR Podcast 017, recorded on June 22, 2009, is a clean artifact of that period — and it still holds.
CLR and the Architecture of That Moment
Chris Liebing's CLR label was, in 2009, one of the more serious corners of the techno world. The podcast series it ran gave a platform to artists who were building something specific — not pop-adjacent, not festival-ready in the contemporary sense. Ben Klock at number 017 was a natural fit. His approach to DJing was already defined by patience: long builds, minimal concessions, tracks allowed to breathe until they stopped breathing.
The mix sits in that liminal space between the peak Ostgut Ton aesthetic and the harder, more industrial CLR sound. Klock bridges both without sounding like he's trying to.
What the Mix Represents
2009 was a particular year for European techno. The post-2008 economic collapse had rippled through club culture — nights were leaner, crowds were more serious, and the music reflected it. This podcast arrived in that atmosphere. There's nothing celebratory about it. It's functional, precise, and slightly cold in the way that good techno tends to be when it's not pandering.
Klock's track selection across this mix leans on that tension between rhythm and space. The mixes are clean, transitions earned rather than rushed. It sounds like a DJ who has already figured out what he wants to say and is simply saying it.
Why the r/Techno Community Is Surfacing It Now
The Reddit post that brought this back into circulation is sparse — no commentary, just the image and the timestamp. That restraint is appropriate. The mix doesn't need a pitch. For listeners who know, it's enough. For those new to Klock's catalog, it's a better entry point than most retrospectives could offer.
The post's near-perfect upvote ratio and modest engagement reflect the demographic: people who already know what this is and don't need to argue about it.
Ben Klock's Trajectory Since
In the seventeen years since this podcast aired, Klock has released on Ostgut Ton, founded Klockworks, and cemented his status as one of Berghain's core residents. His Fabric mix, his Boiler Room appearances, and his rare but impactful studio output all trace back to the sensibility on display in CLR 017: control without sterility, darkness without theater.
Returning to a 2009 recording isn't nostalgia for its own sake. It's a reference point — a way of hearing how consistent an artist has been, and how little the core of good techno actually changes when someone is doing it right.
The mix is worth finding. The timestamp is worth noting. Not everything from 2009 has aged this cleanly.
What is the CLR Podcast series?
CLR Podcast is a mix series associated with Chris Liebing's CLR label, featuring guest mixes from prominent techno artists. It ran for numerous installments and documented the harder, more industrial end of European techno in the late 2000s and early 2010s.
Where can I find Ben Klock's CLR Podcast 017?
The mix was shared via the r/Techno subreddit. Archive sites and YouTube may also host it, though availability varies. Searching the exact title — 'Ben Klock CLR Podcast 017' — is the most reliable approach.
What label does Ben Klock run?
Ben Klock founded Klockworks, his own imprint, which releases his studio output as well as music from artists aligned with his aesthetic. He also releases on Ostgut Ton, Berghain's official label.
How long has Ben Klock been a Berghain resident?
Klock has been a Berghain resident since the mid-2000s, making him one of the club's longest-serving and most associated DJs alongside Marcel Dettmann and others.
What defines Ben Klock's DJing style?
Klock is known for long, hypnotic sets built on patience and tension rather than dramatic peaks. He favors deep, looping techno with minimal concessions to crowd expectation — a style evident even in early recordings like this 2009 CLR podcast.