“Creating a soundtrack for a movie has been a lifelong dream of mine. The specific genre of the movie isn’t a crucial factor for me; what truly matters is collaborating with a passionate team dedicated to crafting something authentic, sincere, and perhaps a bit experimental.”
Bastian Benjamin is a versatile artist from Deventer, the Netherlands, known for his ability to blend electronica and breakbeat into a vibrant auditory experience. From his early days of piano lessons to his current status as a sophisticated and experimental musician, Bastian has drawn inspiration from diverse sources such as Clark, Forest Swords, Lorn, and Massive Attack, as well as the visual arts, particularly cinematography.
His new album, ‘Elixir,’ takes you on a varied and complex electronic journey, minimal yet intense. Some tracks are more melodic, creating an immersive and serene atmosphere, while others are a bit more raw, showcasing Bastian’s versatility and depth as an artist.
In our interview, we delve into the inspiration behind his new LP, the influence of visual arts on his music, and his aspirations for the future.
Photography by Radboud de Bruin
Congratulations on the release of your new LP. What inspired the title of it?
‘Elixir,’ the name symbolizes the journey that envelops the listener. Throughout history, ‘the elixir of life’ has been depicted as a mystical potion promising eternal youth and the cure to all ailments. In my interpretation, this elixir serves as a metaphorical portal to a dreamlike realm where the constraints of physics dissolve. Each track guides the listener through a series of ethereal landscapes, ultimately beckoning them to yearn for the embrace of reality once more. Upon returning to the tangible world, one discovers that its intricacies are more captivating and unpredictable than any dimension of imagination. Amidst its chaos, reality transcends even the most extravagant dreams of the mind.
You mentioned that ‘Elixir‘ is infused by a magical realism reminiscent of your grandfather’s visionary paintings. How do visual arts influence your music, and can you share more about this particular connection?
Music has always sparked images for me, and vice versa. That’s why I enjoy composing music for dance and theater productions alongside my personal projects. When seeking inspiration, I often prefer taking a walk in the forest over listening to new music.
My grandfather is a painter who spent much of his life creating dreamlike landscapes characterized by magical realism. I recall entering his studio at a young age, inspired by his paintings and the smell of turpentine. Years later, as I matured as an artist, I had the privilege of engaging in conversations with him about generating new ideas. It became apparent that we shared many similarities in our creative processes. Both of us favor starting with abstract forms. Through these abstractions, we gradually layer our creations until the concepts crystallize and evoke emotion.
My favorite song from the album is “Stranger Than Fiction.” It sounds like movie music. Since cinematography is one of your inspirations, how does the art of film influence your music production?
That’s so nice to hear. (smiles) This song was created quite some time ago, just me in my room with a microphone, lack of singing skills and a lot of vocal processing. I find that films are my primary source of inspiration when it comes to storytelling and crafting atmospheres. What fascinates me most about music in film is their ability to evoke emotions in unconventional ways. It’s incredible how a single note or subtle movement can completely alter the essence of a scene. The narrative arcs of film music often traverses unpredictable paths, which is inspiring to me. It demonstrates that one doesn’t always have to adhere to a traditional A-B-A-B song structure; instead, you can allow yourself to be guided by the emotions evoked by the elements within your music.
“What fascinates me most about music in film is their ability to evoke emotions in unconventional ways. It’s incredible how a single note or subtle movement can completely alter the essence of a scene.”
Would you like to make a soundtrack for a movie? If so, what kind of movie? (smiles)
Creating a soundtrack for a movie has been a lifelong dream of mine. The specific genre of the movie isn’t a crucial factor for me; what truly matters is collaborating with a passionate team dedicated to crafting something authentic, sincere, and perhaps a bit experimental.
Which track on the album is your favorite, and why?
It’s difficult to choose one specific track since every one of them reminds me of a different time from the last 3 years. But I think that would be Glistening because it follows these unorthodox song structures just like film music.
Growing up in Deventer and starting with piano lessons, how did your early musical education shape your current artistic direction?
After two years of lessons, my piano teacher decided to stop teaching me reading sheet music because my interest lays more in creating my own music on the piano. So he began instructing me on how to convey narratives through piano compositions. Together, we would devise a storyline and then explore melodies and harmonies that would complement it. This early introduction to composing music on the piano instilled in me a love for creating music for various purposes. Having a strong foundation in music theory has always proven invaluable in translating ideas from my mind to the keys.
“Each track guides the listener through a series of ethereal landscapes, ultimately beckoning them to yearn for the embrace of reality once more.”
As a versatile artist, how do you approach live performances?
So far, my live performances have always been in different setups. Which I love. Most of the time I first check the location where I’ll play and decide if I want to go super improvisational or if I want to play my repertoire. Then I pick the instruments that I think would fit with the tracks.
In today’s rapidly evolving music industry, what challenges do you face as an artist who blends multiple genres, and how do you stay true to your artistic vision while also appealing to a broad audience?
That’s a very important question. I believe many artists, myself included, struggle with this. Previously, I was troubled by the challenge of categorizing my music, which led me to create compositions aimed at appealing to a broader audience. However, as my album was crafted over three years, you can truly perceive the evolution in my approach. Some tracks were created without compromise, with less external input and feedback, while others underwent a more polished treatment. I don’t think there are definitive rights or wrongs in this process. What I’ve discovered is that achieving success with a ‘polished’ track never brings me as much fulfillment as creating something without constraints. This is easier said than done, particularly in an era where success is often measured by metrics. It’s tempting to equate happiness with such success. For me, the solution lies in continuing to create and share music, without dwelling too much on the performance of past works.
The most important thing in life is?
Staying true to yourself
Thank you so much for your time!
Follow Bastian Benjamin for more:
Website: www.bastianbenjamin.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bastianbenjamin9
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bastianbenjaminv
Twitter: twitter.com/bastianbenjam1n
YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/bastianbenjamin
SoundCloud: soundcloud.com/bastianbenjamin
