Benn Jordan
Encyclopedia
Benn Lee Jordan is an American modern jazz
and electronica
musician operating under many pseudonyms. Since 1999 his most widely distributed and eclectic music has been released under the name of The Flashbulb. Other popular names Benn has released as are Acidwolf, Human Action Network, and FlexE.
which helped diversify his listeners. Jordan has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder
, which he admits is one of the reasons why extended and international touring has been increasingly difficult in recent years.
) was featured in Dove's Evolution
promotional campaign for its Campaign for Real Beauty
website, which has drawn a large amount of attention from the mainstream media. The campaign took the commercial film winner at Cannes as well as many other prestigious awards. In addition, Jordan had been nominated for a 2007 London International Award for the "Best Use Of Music" category.
In 2008, Jordan had completed work in branding
, having created stings and trademark sounds for companies such as Dove
, Knowledge
, Verizon, and many others.
Jordan is currently represented by Vapor Music Group, a large international creative firm operating out of Toronto
, and currently owns and operates their production and recording facilities in Chicago
.
styled music. His style differs strongly between albums, but they all have a cohesive bond tied around fast drum programming
, acid-influenced melodies, and a wide array of live instrumentation from various instruments Jordan has acquired. He also often records his melodies through MIDI-synced guitars. His guitar style and skill has gained attention because he typically plays it strung backwards, and makes heavy use of fast sweeping and tapping
. The last two Flashbulb albums have featured violinist Greg Hirte
, who is featured heavily on The Flashbulb's 2008 album, Soundtrack to a Vacant Life
, as well. Soundtrack to a Vacant Life is, as Jordan stated in a recent interview, a step away from the breakcore
genre. He also said that this step is likely to be a permanent trend in the direction of his music, which has been noted in more recent releases under his own name, such as Pale Blue Dot (album)
and Louisiana Mourning.
Under other aliases, Benn Jordan's work varies quite a bit. His Acidwolf and Human Action Network aliases feature retro acid music that uses old drum machines such as the TR-808 and relies heavily on the melodies of the TB-303. Tracks made under the FlexE alias tend to be laid-back and classic acid. According to him, he showcases his more fundamental, classical, and personal pieces under his own name, Benn Jordan.
, instead of taking on another contract, Jordan released his most anticipated album Soundtrack To A Vacant Life
on his own record label called Alphabasic. On the day of release, he personally uploaded copies of the album to music piracy sites including a small HTML file explaining his relaxed views on file sharing and showing listeners where they could give support if they desired. This resulted in attention by mainstream press and the album was soon to be the most downloaded album on many popular file sharing networks.
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
and electronica
Electronica
Electronica includes a wide range of contemporary electronic music designed for a wide range of uses, including foreground listening, some forms of dancing, and background music for other activities; however, unlike electronic dance music, it is not specifically made for dancing...
musician operating under many pseudonyms. Since 1999 his most widely distributed and eclectic music has been released under the name of The Flashbulb. Other popular names Benn has released as are Acidwolf, Human Action Network, and FlexE.
Biography
Jordan was born in Georgia in 1978 and moved to South Chicago to live with his grandparents at a young age. Influenced by the local jazz scene, Jordan was an accomplished self-taught guitarist as a child. Due to being left-handed and not having lessons, he learned to play a right-handed guitar upside down, which he continues to do. He began his music career releasing instrumental music on small labels in the United States and Europe in 1996 under various aliases, most notably The Flashbulb, and years later he began to work as a freelance composer for various television and film agencies. Benn is still an active jazz guitar player and drummer at Chicago venues. The Flashbulb has toured and worked with The Dillinger Escape PlanThe Dillinger Escape Plan
The Dillinger Escape Plan is an American mathcore band from Morris Plains, New Jersey. The group originated in 1997 after the disbanding of Arcane, a hardcore punk trio consisting of Ben Weinman, Dimitri Minakakis, and Chris Pennie. The band's current line-up consists of guitarist Ben Weinman,...
which helped diversify his listeners. Jordan has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder or bipolar affective disorder, historically known as manic–depressive disorder, is a psychiatric diagnosis that describes a category of mood disorders defined by the presence of one or more episodes of abnormally elevated energy levels, cognition, and mood with or without one or...
, which he admits is one of the reasons why extended and international touring has been increasingly difficult in recent years.
Composing for television and film
In recent years, Jordan has seen much success for himself in composing for television and film. In 2006, Jordan's music ("Passage D" from his album Kirlian SelectionsKirlian Selections
Kirlian Selections is the sixth full-length album by The Flashbulb , released in April 2005.Jordan had strongly considered not releasing the material at all, considering it more of a testament to what he was capable of achieving rather than as a piece to be openly acquired by the public...
) was featured in Dove's Evolution
Evolution (Dove)
Evolution is an advertising campaign launched by Unilever in 2006 as part of its Dove Campaign for Real Beauty, to promote the newly created Dove Self-Esteem Fund. The centre of the Unilever campaign is a 75-second spot produced by Ogilvy & Mather in Toronto, Canada...
promotional campaign for its Campaign for Real Beauty
Dove Campaign for Real Beauty
The Dove Campaign for Real Beauty is a worldwide marketing campaign launched in 2004 that includes advertisements, video, workshops, sleepover events and even the publication of a book and the production of a play...
website, which has drawn a large amount of attention from the mainstream media. The campaign took the commercial film winner at Cannes as well as many other prestigious awards. In addition, Jordan had been nominated for a 2007 London International Award for the "Best Use Of Music" category.
In 2008, Jordan had completed work in branding
Brand management
Brand management is the application of marketing techniques to a specific product, product line, or brand.The discipline of brand management was started at Procter & Gamble as a result of a famous memo by Neil H...
, having created stings and trademark sounds for companies such as Dove
Dove
Pigeons and doves constitute the bird family Columbidae within the order Columbiformes, which include some 300 species of near passerines. In general terms "dove" and "pigeon" are used somewhat interchangeably...
, Knowledge
Knowledge
Knowledge is a familiarity with someone or something unknown, which can include information, facts, descriptions, or skills acquired through experience or education. It can refer to the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject...
, Verizon, and many others.
Jordan is currently represented by Vapor Music Group, a large international creative firm operating out of Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, and currently owns and operates their production and recording facilities in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
.
Musical style
As The Flashbulb, Jordan typically releases drill 'n' bass or breakcoreBreakcore
Breakcore is a style of electronic music largely influenced by hardcore techno, drum and bass and Intelligent dance music. Its sound is largely characterized by a high-tempo, well-timed mingling of distorted kick drums , break beats arranged from samples of the Amen break, and audio samples from a...
styled music. His style differs strongly between albums, but they all have a cohesive bond tied around fast drum programming
Drum machine
A drum machine is an electronic musical instrument designed to imitate the sound of drums or other percussion instruments. They are used in a variety of musical genres, not just purely electronic music...
, acid-influenced melodies, and a wide array of live instrumentation from various instruments Jordan has acquired. He also often records his melodies through MIDI-synced guitars. His guitar style and skill has gained attention because he typically plays it strung backwards, and makes heavy use of fast sweeping and tapping
Tapping
Tapping is a guitar playing technique, where a string is fretted and set into vibration as part of a single motion of being pushed onto the fretboard, as opposed to the standard technique being fretted with one hand and picked with the other...
. The last two Flashbulb albums have featured violinist Greg Hirte
Greg Hirte
Greg Hirte is a professional violinist based out of Chicago, Illinois.He performs with a handful of bands, including The Flashbulb, Mucca Pazza, Soundframe, and Mojo and the Bayou Gypsies. His violin performances have also appeared on many albums, most notably The Flashbulb's "Kirlian Selections",...
, who is featured heavily on The Flashbulb's 2008 album, Soundtrack to a Vacant Life
Soundtrack To A Vacant Life
Soundtrack to a Vacant Life is the eighth studio album by The Flashbulb , released in 2008.The track "Suspended in a Sunbeam" contains an excerpt from Carl Sagan's book Pale Blue Dot, which may serve as a prelude to Jordan's following album Pale Blue Dot.-Track listing:# "Prelude" – 1:09# "Kirlian...
, as well. Soundtrack to a Vacant Life is, as Jordan stated in a recent interview, a step away from the breakcore
Breakcore
Breakcore is a style of electronic music largely influenced by hardcore techno, drum and bass and Intelligent dance music. Its sound is largely characterized by a high-tempo, well-timed mingling of distorted kick drums , break beats arranged from samples of the Amen break, and audio samples from a...
genre. He also said that this step is likely to be a permanent trend in the direction of his music, which has been noted in more recent releases under his own name, such as Pale Blue Dot (album)
Pale Blue Dot (album)
Pale Blue Dot: A Tribute to Carl Sagan is the first studio album released by Benn Jordan using his own name, instead of the various pseudonyms he generally releases his music under ....
and Louisiana Mourning.
Under other aliases, Benn Jordan's work varies quite a bit. His Acidwolf and Human Action Network aliases feature retro acid music that uses old drum machines such as the TR-808 and relies heavily on the melodies of the TB-303. Tracks made under the FlexE alias tend to be laid-back and classic acid. According to him, he showcases his more fundamental, classical, and personal pieces under his own name, Benn Jordan.
Alphabasic and Music Piracy
After the collapse of Sublight RecordsSublight Records
Sublight Records was a Canadian record label started in 2004 by Aaron Rintoul and ran until June 2007. Based out of Winnipeg, Canada. It was named among the top 25 indie record labels of 2006 by XLR8R magazine - "Sublight has gone from spewing out splattered beats fresh from bedrooms where the sun...
, instead of taking on another contract, Jordan released his most anticipated album Soundtrack To A Vacant Life
Soundtrack To A Vacant Life
Soundtrack to a Vacant Life is the eighth studio album by The Flashbulb , released in 2008.The track "Suspended in a Sunbeam" contains an excerpt from Carl Sagan's book Pale Blue Dot, which may serve as a prelude to Jordan's following album Pale Blue Dot.-Track listing:# "Prelude" – 1:09# "Kirlian...
on his own record label called Alphabasic. On the day of release, he personally uploaded copies of the album to music piracy sites including a small HTML file explaining his relaxed views on file sharing and showing listeners where they could give support if they desired. This resulted in attention by mainstream press and the album was soon to be the most downloaded album on many popular file sharing networks.
LPs
- M³M³ (album)M³ is the first album from The Flashbulb . Stylistically, this album is very straightforward and Jordan's direct influences of fellow intelligent dance music artists such as Aphex Twin and Squarepusher are much more apparent than in subsequent releases.-Track listing:# "Porn Joke P" – 2:30# "Dance...
(2000, Metatone) - These Open FieldsThese Open FieldsThese Open Fields is the second official full-length release from Chicago intelligent dance music artist The Flashbulb . The album displays a significant maturation from the first release, M³. The album has a central theme, unlike the playful experimentation of M³...
(2001, AlphabasicAlphabasic RecordsAlphabasic Records is an independent record label started in 1999 by electronic musician Benn Jordan and Mark Hall. In 2007, Jordan bought out his partners and larger related label Sublight Records, pulled the albums from all record and digital distributors, and uploaded them to torrent sites with...
) (re-released in 2002 with different cover art and a bonus track) - Girls.Suck.But.YOU.Don'tGirls.Suck.But.YOU.Don'tGirls.Suck.But.YOU.Don't is the third official full-length release from Chicago intelligent dance music artist Benn Jordan, also known as The Flashbulb....
(2003, Accel Muzhik) - Resent and the April Sunshine ShedResent and the April Sunshine ShedResent and the April Sunshine Shed is the fourth official full-length release from electronic music producer Benn Jordan as The Flashbulb.This album features a range of new instrumentation added to Jordan's list...
(2003, AlphabasicAlphabasic RecordsAlphabasic Records is an independent record label started in 1999 by electronic musician Benn Jordan and Mark Hall. In 2007, Jordan bought out his partners and larger related label Sublight Records, pulled the albums from all record and digital distributors, and uploaded them to torrent sites with...
) - Red Extensions of MeRed Extensions of MeRed Extensions of Me is the fifth official full-length release from Benn Jordan as The Flashbulb.This album seems to be driven by the aesthetic of drum n bass/jungle theory, used to accentuate a particular focus on electric guitar-controlled MIDI sequences written in a neo-classical metal style...
(2004, Sublight) - Kirlian SelectionsKirlian SelectionsKirlian Selections is the sixth full-length album by The Flashbulb , released in April 2005.Jordan had strongly considered not releasing the material at all, considering it more of a testament to what he was capable of achieving rather than as a piece to be openly acquired by the public...
(2005, Sublight) - RéunionReunion (album)Reunion is a live album by heavy metal band Black Sabbath.After the departure of vocalist Ozzy Osbourne in 1979, Black Sabbath's line-up slowly lost stability and never quite recovered...
(2005, Sublight) - Flexing HabitualFlexing HabitualFlexing Habitual is the seventh studio album by The Flashbulb, released in 2006.The track "Ninedump" was originally intended to be submitted to the Nine Inch Nails "Only" online remix competition, thanks to the persuasion of a fan on his MySpace page...
(2006, Sublight) - Soundtrack to a Vacant LifeSoundtrack To A Vacant LifeSoundtrack to a Vacant Life is the eighth studio album by The Flashbulb , released in 2008.The track "Suspended in a Sunbeam" contains an excerpt from Carl Sagan's book Pale Blue Dot, which may serve as a prelude to Jordan's following album Pale Blue Dot.-Track listing:# "Prelude" – 1:09# "Kirlian...
(2008, AlphabasicAlphabasic RecordsAlphabasic Records is an independent record label started in 1999 by electronic musician Benn Jordan and Mark Hall. In 2007, Jordan bought out his partners and larger related label Sublight Records, pulled the albums from all record and digital distributors, and uploaded them to torrent sites with...
) - ArborealArboreal (album)Arboreal is the ninth studio album by The Flashbulb , released on 8 June 2010.Alphabasic offered Arboreal in a limited edition format that included a 20 page full-color booklet entitled "While You Were Flying - The Rewards of Aerophobia"...
(2010, AlphabasicAlphabasic RecordsAlphabasic Records is an independent record label started in 1999 by electronic musician Benn Jordan and Mark Hall. In 2007, Jordan bought out his partners and larger related label Sublight Records, pulled the albums from all record and digital distributors, and uploaded them to torrent sites with...
) - Love as a Dark HallwayLove as a Dark HallwayLove as a Dark Hallway is the tenth studio album by The Flashbulb . It was released by Alphabasic on 15 March 2011, which offered the album in Digipack format, as well as 350 limited edition copies that included a leather casing and bonus artwork.-Track listing:# "Wake Up, Gladiator" – 2:36#...
(2011, AlphabasicAlphabasic RecordsAlphabasic Records is an independent record label started in 1999 by electronic musician Benn Jordan and Mark Hall. In 2007, Jordan bought out his partners and larger related label Sublight Records, pulled the albums from all record and digital distributors, and uploaded them to torrent sites with...
)
EPs/etc.
- 2 Remixes for Bogdan RaczynskiBogdan RaczynskiBogdan Raczynski is a Polish braindance artist. His work includes a song with Icelandic artist Björk.-Biography:Bogdan Raczynski was born around 1977 in Poland, but later moved to the United States with his family...
(w/Nautilis 2001, Rephlex) - Fly! (2001, Metatone Records)
- Drain Mode = ONDrain Mode = ONDrain Mode = ON is one of many stopgap EP releases in between albums from Benn Jordan as The Flashbulb.This EP is interesting for several reasons...
(2001, Suburban Trash) - Lawn Funeral EP (2004, AlphabasicAlphabasic RecordsAlphabasic Records is an independent record label started in 1999 by electronic musician Benn Jordan and Mark Hall. In 2007, Jordan bought out his partners and larger related label Sublight Records, pulled the albums from all record and digital distributors, and uploaded them to torrent sites with...
) - Binedump EPBinedump EPBinedump EP is a compilation EP released by The Flashbulb just months after his 2005 album, Kirlian Selections.All of the tracks on this EP had been previously released on Kirlian Selections except for "Binedump ". Also, the version of the track 'Dishevel' found on the EP is longer than the album...
(2005, Suburban Trash/Bonnerwachs) - That Missing Week EPThat Missing Week EP-Track listing:# "That Missing Week" - 3:52# "That Missing Week " - 2:38# "Our Final Mourning" - 1:33# "Our Furry Past Life" - 2:36# "DIDJ PVC" - 1:31# "Time Ache Finale" - 4:11# "That Missing Week " - 4:40...
(December 8, 2007, AlphabasicAlphabasic RecordsAlphabasic Records is an independent record label started in 1999 by electronic musician Benn Jordan and Mark Hall. In 2007, Jordan bought out his partners and larger related label Sublight Records, pulled the albums from all record and digital distributors, and uploaded them to torrent sites with...
) - A Raw Understanding (single) (February 26, 2010, AlphabasicAlphabasic RecordsAlphabasic Records is an independent record label started in 1999 by electronic musician Benn Jordan and Mark Hall. In 2007, Jordan bought out his partners and larger related label Sublight Records, pulled the albums from all record and digital distributors, and uploaded them to torrent sites with...
)
As Acidwolf
- Acidwolf Legacy 1995-2005 (2005, Bohnerwachs, AlphabasicAlphabasic RecordsAlphabasic Records is an independent record label started in 1999 by electronic musician Benn Jordan and Mark Hall. In 2007, Jordan bought out his partners and larger related label Sublight Records, pulled the albums from all record and digital distributors, and uploaded them to torrent sites with...
) (LP)
As Human Action Network
- Welcome to Chicago: The Acid Anthology (2007, AlphabasicAlphabasic RecordsAlphabasic Records is an independent record label started in 1999 by electronic musician Benn Jordan and Mark Hall. In 2007, Jordan bought out his partners and larger related label Sublight Records, pulled the albums from all record and digital distributors, and uploaded them to torrent sites with...
) (LP)
As Benn Jordan
- Pale Blue DotPale Blue Dot (album)Pale Blue Dot: A Tribute to Carl Sagan is the first studio album released by Benn Jordan using his own name, instead of the various pseudonyms he generally releases his music under ....
(2008, AlphabasicAlphabasic RecordsAlphabasic Records is an independent record label started in 1999 by electronic musician Benn Jordan and Mark Hall. In 2007, Jordan bought out his partners and larger related label Sublight Records, pulled the albums from all record and digital distributors, and uploaded them to torrent sites with...
) (LP) - Louisiana Mourning (September 1, 2009, AlphabasicAlphabasic RecordsAlphabasic Records is an independent record label started in 1999 by electronic musician Benn Jordan and Mark Hall. In 2007, Jordan bought out his partners and larger related label Sublight Records, pulled the albums from all record and digital distributors, and uploaded them to torrent sites with...
) (EP)
External links
- Benn Jordan's official site
- Suburban Trash
- Campaign For Real Beauty A Dove Soap campaign that showcases some of Jordan's original compositional and sound design work.
- Vapor Music Company Benn Jordan is an in-house composer for the Vapor Music Group, a company that does music consulting for commercials and the CBCCanadian Broadcasting CorporationThe Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as CBC and officially as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian crown corporation that serves as the national public radio and television broadcaster...
(Canadian News). - Two and a Half Questions with Benn Jordan on Headphone Commute (2008)
- Interview with the artist on TorrentFreak (2008)