factor eight
“everything you hear, is only my voice”
Factor Eight (Andrew Bennett, he/they) is an award-winning experimental composer creating cinematic soundscapes entirely with his voice. Through innovative vocal processing and layering, he transforms the human voice into dark, immersive sonic environments — a technique that has earned him sync placements in Gladiator II, A24’s Warfare, the Oscar-winning Women Talking, and on Disney+ and Apple TV+.
His music sits between ambient, experimental, and neo-classical, drawing comparisons to composers like Jóhann Jóhannsson and Trent Reznor. What makes Factor Eight unique is his voice-only approach: every sound originates from his vocal cords, engineered and processed into unrecognizable textures that serve both his cinematic work and his deeply personal exploration of mental health.
December 11, 2025 marked Factor Eight’s first live performance at The Refinery in Saskatoon — a sold-out debut that audiences called “one of the best shows they’ve ever seen”, with many describing the experience as transformative and immersive.
“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.”
Apple TV+’s Smoke (2024) · Gladiator II (2024) · A24’s Warfare (2025) · Women Talking (2022), Oscar-winning film · Disney+ (2022)
3× Saskatchewan Music Awards — Instrumental 2023, Electronic 2022, Experimental 2021 · Western Canadian Music Award — Visual Media Composer of the Year · SOCAN Foundation Award — original score for Citizen
Featured by Native Instruments, Magnetic Mag, MusicTech, and CBC · multiple Spotify and Apple Music editorial playlist placements
everything you hear, is only my voice
Factor Eight’s signature technique involves recording vocal sound — breathing, humming, singing, speaking — and transforming it through digital processing into atmospheric textures, percussive elements, and melodic foundations. This constraint becomes a strength: the intimate nature of the human voice creates emotional immediacy that traditional instruments cannot replicate.
This approach serves both his commercial sync work, where hard-to-categorize music stands out to supervisors, and his personal artistic vision exploring mental health themes through sound.
Through his music and the Fear, My Friend philosophy, Factor Eight addresses mental health openly and without stigma. Living with bipolar disorder, he uses his platform hoping to inspire a feeling of connection among others who struggle, and a sense of compassion among those who struggle to relate.
Factor Eight partners with the Canadian Mental Health Association Saskatoon, donating a portion of music proceeds to support mental health services. His work has received support from FACTOR, SK Arts, Creative Saskatchewan, Canada Council for the Arts, and CMHA Saskatoon.
“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 a sense of compassion in those who struggle to relate.”
kenton doupe
Nelson, BC-based, Saskatoon-born multi-discipline artist and Factor Eight’s longtime creative director (10+ year collaboration). BFA graduate specializing in photography, graphic design, videography, and fine woodworking — creating cohesive visual identities across album artwork, promotional materials, and live performance visuals.
alex willems
Saskatoon-based cinematographer, director, and editor working with Factor Eight since 2022. Owner of Rakonture production company, specializing in music videos and narrative projects for artists including Factor Eight, Troy Sosa, and Saskatchewan Jazz Festival.
adrian vendiola
Vancouver-based choreographer and director of world-renowned dance crews Brotherhood and Northside, with multiple World Championship titles at Hip Hop International, Body Rock, and Vibe. Has choreographed for K-pop artists including NCT Dream, and commercials for Nissan and Calia, bringing elite movement direction to Factor Eight’s live performances.
ana solano
Award-winning contemporary choreographer (2024 Showtime Dance Extreme Overall Top Choreography, 2017 Calgary Dance Teacher Expo) who collaborates with Factor Eight on music and dance performance art pieces including River Voices and Voices at Nuit Blanche Saskatoon.
nano clow
Canadian film director and artist based in London, UK, with work screened globally and featured on 1.4, Director’s Library, PAPER Magazine, and Booooooom. BFA graduate from the University of British Columbia, multi-funded by Canada Council for the Arts, and commissioned artist for the 2025 Fluxusmuseum Prize with installations exhibited across Canada, the UK, and Europe.
- iiExperimental concept album featuring the ‘A Voice’ series — compositions created entirely with vocal sounds. A raw, honest exploration of living with bipolar disorder.2023 ↗
- a døReleased as a disintegrating album-film at NothingLastsForever.ca — a project that deleted itself from streaming platforms, transforming into static and noise over time.2021 ↗
- gladiator iiParamount — trailer music placement2024 →
- women talkingMGM — trailer custom, Oscar-winning film2022 →
- warfareA242025
- smokeApple TV+ — trailer2024
- shipwreck hunters australiaDisney+ — sync placement2022 →
- shinrin-yokuHEAD — original score. 2021 WCMA, Visual Media Composer of the Year2021 →
- citizenBrock Newman — music and full sound design. SOCAN Foundation Award2018 →
“His vocal-only approach is more than a technical decision. It’s a personal method built around trust in his own instincts, careful attention to detail, and a long-term vision that ties his music and message together.”
“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.”
“‘A Voice (IV)’ is a minimal, ambient piece of music created by Factor Eight solely using his voice. On first listen, this wouldn’t necessarily be apparent — that’s what makes the track even more impressive. It’s a dark, spacious piece, haunting in parts and yet hopeful in others.”
Based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Last updated: December 2025