Factor Eight
experimental artist / visual media composer / music producer
Experimental visionary Factor Eight (Andrew Bennett, he/him/they) is an award-winning composer making waves with awards for Electronic Artist of the Year, Visual Media Composer of the Year, and Experimental / Contemporary Artist of the Year, editorial and sync placements with Spotify & Disney+, trailer music placements with Gladiator II and the Oscar-winning film ‘Women Talking’, and his visionary new album ‘II’.
Through mind-bending sound design and composition, Factor Eight draws audiences to emotionally connect with his long-awaited concept album ’II’. A selection of works titled "A Voice" were created using only his voice, engineered and contorted within Ableton into unique and unrecognizable sounds — a sonic parallel to the very personal nature of the record.
With this raw and honest album, Andrew is discussing mental health awareness and his story being Bipolar, subverting the stigma around mental illness.
“Through my first-hand experience with mental illness and with a platform to express themes and ideas through art, I feel a responsibility to use my music in service to this cause. I hope this project will inspire a feeling of connection in those who struggle, and sense of compassion in those who struggle to relate.” -Andrew
Factor Eight has received a multitude of awards and nominations including Instrumental Artist of the Year, Producer of the Year, Contemporary Artist of the Year and more.
He is a 3-time Saskatchewan Music Award Winner, now having received 2023 Ambient Artist of the Year, 2022 Electronic Artist of the Year, and 2021 Experimental Artist of the Year for his experimental album-project ‘A DØ’ — which was deleted suddenly from all streaming platforms and released as a disintegrating album-film on NothingLastsForever.ca.
He has now received 5 Western Canadian Music Awards nominations, and won 2021 Visual Media Composer of the Year for his work on the HEAD SKI film ‘Shinrin-Yoku’. He also received a SOCAN Foundation Award in 2018 for his original score and sound design on the short film ‘Citizen’.
Through music & sound for visual media he has worked with brands that include MGM, The United Way, FOX Broadcasting Company, GMC, ESPN, HEAD SKI, Salomon, X-Games, Jaybird, Whistler Blackcomb, and Gillette. His music can be heard on Disney+, as well as in the trailer Gladiator II and the oscar-winning film ‘Women Talking’.
Based in SK, Canada, Factor Eight puts his heart and soul into each and every project, ultimately striving to inspire emotion in his audience. Their new album ’II’ is supported by FACTOR, SKArts, Creative Saskatchewan, and the Canadian Mental Health Association Saskatoon with a powerful music video supported by Canada Council for the Arts. A portion of proceeds from his music are donated to CMHA Saskatoon.
Watch Factor Eight’s gripping and powerful new music video, ‘Fear, My Friend’.
Contact Factor Eight.
“In addition to the powerful messages that Andrew delivers in his music, the shift to accessing information, services and support virtually has grown exponentially during the pandemic. [...] Andrew’s talent, insight, creativity, and commitment to integrating a social purpose in his music is making a significant impact.”
Music Links:
Composer Demo Playlist
I am also available for original scoring and would love to discuss opportunities with you.
II
My latest experimental concept album. A selection of works titled ‘A VOICE’ were created using only my voice as a sonic parallel to the personal story behind the album.
Through the release of this album, I am speaking publicly about my story with bipolar disorder in an effort to reduce the stigma around mental illness. II is currently available exclusively on Bandcamp, where proceeds are being donated to the Canadian Mental Health Association Saskatoon.
“‘A Voice (IV)‘ is a minimal, ambient piece of music that’s been created by Factor Eight solely using his voice. On first listen, this wouldn’t necessarily be apparent and that’s what makes the track even more impressive/unique. It’s a dark, spacious piece of music that’s haunting in parts and yet hopeful in others.”
A DØ
This album was deleted suddenly from all streaming platforms in March of 2021 and released as a destructive album-film on NothingLastsForever.ca where it is disintegrating into complete static and noise until April 10th 2022.
‘For Peace’ & ‘Tides of Uncertainty’ can be heard on the recent Disney+ series ‘Shipwreck Hunters Australia’.
Sonically, the album repurposes noise into melodic and percussive use, reframing sound from concrete origins into abstract states.
“Factor Eight [...] brings classic to the club in his new dance track Passenger. [...] The track has a feeling of movement, of travel to somewhere new and bright. I couldn’t help but feel hopeful listening to it.”
‘Sacred Geometry’ by Factor Eight featured in the first half of the Gladiator II trailer.
Featuring a remixed edition of ‘Life Is But A Dream’ and original sound design by Factor Eight — 2021 WCMA Visual Media Composer of the Year
From the album ‘II’, “Fear, My Friend” is a music-film that acts as a metaphor for bipolar disorder. It is a slow, surreal downward spiral into chaos that leads to an eventual and necessary journey back out of darkness and into the light of self-realization.
“With messages that include hope and resilience, music opens the door to critical conversations about wellness and mental health. Finally music can be a stigma buster, as it builds awareness and normalizes mental health issues.
CMHA Saskatoon is grateful for the work Andrew is doing to connect people to their own mental health and for encouraging them to be open and empowered.”
