Phoenix Benedict is a pioneer in the audio branding arena with numerous film and TV titles under his belt. His music focuses on the human aspect articulated through digital media, thereby creating identity and connection. At the age of 9 Phoenix started to write songs, by Grade 8 he was already composing Beethoven-inspired ‘storms’ on the piano, improvising to his audiences’ delight. After school Phoenix studied various music styles, focusing on film and TV work. In 2008 he debuted his first musical theatre work at a private school in Johannesburg, whereafter he was awarded a Masters in Music Composition and Audio Branding from the University of the Witwatersrand. Phoenix currently owns and runs an audio branding laboratory consulting with branding agencies on audio brand research, assessment and audio brand creation.
Phoenix produced, composed and performed his debut album ‘Omnium’ as a means to showcase his love of merging existing music styles into catchy and fascinating variants. ‘Omnium’ is Latin for ‘all sorts’, referring to the intentional merging of different music features into more personal soundscapes. These soundscapes are perfect for usage during driving, meditation, dinner parties, waking up in the morning to and also perfect for making love to, and even reflexology.
Phoenix intends that each listener will make the music work in whichever context the listener sees fit, thereby appropriating the soundscapes on a personal level that can become part of the listener’s personal culture.
Audio branding résumé includes:
SABC 1 (‘Shakespeare: Death of a Queen’, 2008), SABC 2 (‘House of Love’, 2008 and ‘Muvhango’,2004), M-Net (‘CANSA Shavathon’, 2004) as well as films (‘Bloedgrond’,2005; ‘Modder Koffie’, 2005; ‘Tracks’, 2005, and ‘Vimba’, 2006).
Tracklisting: ‘Omnium’
Track 1: Earth Song
I believe this track encapsulates the joyful energy that a true South African morning exudes.
Track 2: Walk free Stand tall
This track is aimed at making you feel that you’ve got what you need to face this day.
Track 3: Passion
I intended to create a soundscape that tells a love story with a happy ending.
Track 4: Dawn
This track is perfect for waking up to.
Track 5: Minor Sonata
This track is aimed at helping you feel that the world is your oyster and that you can achieve your goals.
Track 6: Core
This soundscape is aimed at helping you centre yourself and connect to the inner you.
Track 7: Balm
I believe we all need healing in some way or another. This soundscape intends to create an energy that helps you feel receptive to a restorative energy.
Track 8: NeoMorph
This track features a mixture of strong grooves, a happy mood and some comical sounds. It should brighten up your day as you find your way through traffic.
Track 9: Hero
I mixed existing samples with various digital instruments to create a more commercial ‘musique concrete’ soundscape. Create your own heroic story to this track. (‘Once upon a time there was a prince/princess who felt that…)
Track 10: Rebirth
This track is aimed at lifting you up when you feel the world is against you. Imagine you are being reborn into a stronger, wiser and more connected you.
Track 11: Prophecy
We all love to hear that good things are about to happen in our lives. Imagine this soundscape is a prophecy that blesses you with all that is good, wholesome and needed in your life right now.
Track 12: Let Go
Sometimes we need to let go and trust that we will be just fine no matter what. This track focuses on the sadness of letting go.
Track 13: Walk free Stand tall Remix
After you say goodbye to some things that were holding you back, it is time to pull your chin up, look ahead to a new beginning. This track enforces a new, stronger you, ready for today.
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