Ben Kopec
Ben Nils Kopec | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Birth name | Benjamin Nils Kopec |
Born | Derby, Connecticut, United States | November 10, 1981
Genres | Industrial rock, industrial metal, electronic music, film score, video game music |
Occupation(s) | Musician, song writer, composer |
Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar, bass, programming, drums, piano, synthesizer |
Years active | 1999–present |
Labels | Independent |
Website | http://www.BenKopec.com |
Benjamin Nils Kopec (born November 10, 1981), known better by his stage name, Ben Kopec, is an American-based musician and composer.
As a composer, Kopec has had his music used in feature film trailers, such as The Tall Man, Never Surrender, The Curse of Micah Rood, and more. He has had many placements on TV as well, including MTV, CBS, Bravo!, Fox, A&E Network, and more.[1]
He formed the American-based Industrial rock band Intricate Unit in 1999, but did not start performing live until 2003. Since then Intricate Unit has opened for many major label bands on the East Coast, and even headlined their own tour in 2006.[2]
in 2006, Kopec launched Epitome Music Library. The primary goal of the company is to place music into film, TV, video games, advertising campaigns, and other mediums. Kopec has also been successful in starting his own music promotion company and offering assistance for other musicians and composers trying to get their music into film and television with his publishing company, Jukebox Johnny. Previous companies Kopec has started include a Rock Band Authoring service, called The Rock Pulse,[3] to help bands get their music into the Rock Band Network.
Personal life
Ben Kopec is an international film and TV music composer. His musical strengths range from high impact trailer music, to heart wrenching strings and piano, to high energy sports music, to horror/suspense. Kopec has also released music for various reality TV shows and regularly composes exclusively for select libraries.[4]
Kopec studied Music and Sound Recording at the University of New Haven for 2 years before attending and receiving his 4-year Bachelor of Science degree in Audio Engineering at the University of Hartford. He went on to also receive his minor in Communication Studies. In less than 2 years, Kopec also received his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering.[5] Kopec is currently taking classes for his Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering.
Radio Host
While attending the University of New Haven, Kopec inherited an 8-year-running industrial music radio station called The Industrial Revolution. The station itself was called WNHU 88.7 FM. Kopec would go on the air every Wednesday from 6 pm to 8 pm for over 2 years.[6] It was on here that Kopec regularly invited other local musicians on air for interviews. Kopec would also use this medium to promote his industrial band, Intricate Unit.
Professional career
Intricate Unit is the brainchild of Ben Kopec. Having played many shows at Toad's Place in New Haven, CT, the band eventually started playing many shows in the Tri-state area and touring across the country;[7] notably, playing to thousands of people in Ohio in 2006 at the Gathering of the Juggalos.[8]
Ben Kopec is currently known for international composing of film, TV, and video games.[9] With over 7 independent releases, Kopec has a very diverse background in musical compositions. Writing for companies such as X-Ray Dog, APM, Twisted Jukebox, CBS, Fox Sports, Sony, Digital Apocalypse, Kopec has established himself as a unique composer that combines orchestral with a hybrid modern edge.
Kopec has placed 2 years in a row at the Hollywood Reporter Film and TV Music Conference in Los Angeles for his music in trailers and video games.[10] Kopec's main focus is on writing high energy, action packed music for feature film trailers, independent movies, and sports cues.[11]
To expand his horizons and marketability, Kopec also frequently works with Massachusetts-based company Sonicbids for music licensing opportunities.[12] This allows the licensing for a much broader range of music for various opportunities.
Many people have signed-on Kopec to write for their productions.[13] This includes many non-exclusive libraries as well as many exclusive libraries.
Kopec is an official ASCAP (American Society for Composers and Publishers) member since 2005.[14] Kopec also has a music publishing company called Jukebox Johnny with ASCAP.[15]
In late 2009, Kopec started a company called The Rock Pulse. The mission of this company is to provide a service for bands to get into the Rock Band Network. To date, The Rock Pulse has authored songs for Intricate Unit, Dead By Wednesday, and more. However, Kopec decided in 2011 to focus more of hsi energy on his other companies.[16]
On 10–10–10 Kopec officially relocated his home and studio to Los Angeles, CA. He currently lives and works out of his Hollywood home studio. On June 1, 2011, Kopec's latest release, Epic Orchestral and Cinematic Rock for Film Trailers, was reviewed and nominated for Best CD of the Year.[17]
In late 2012, Kopec officially launched his newest endeavor, Epitome Music Library. As of January 1, 2013, EML represents over 100 chart topping artists and bands, including many award winning composers. The library has over 80+ unique genres, and over 150 concept albums. Some of EML's clients include CBS, Discovery, and Bunnim-Murray.[18]
Discography
Ben Kopec
- 2004: Film and Game Trax 1
- 2005: Film and Game Trax 2
- 2005: Diverse Dance Music
- 2005: Acoustic Guitar Works
- 2006: Piano Pieces 1
- 2006: Sports Music Vol. 1
- 2007: High Energy Sports Music Vol. 2
- 2008: Cutting Edge Orchestral Music Vol. 1
- 2009: High Energy Sports Music Vol. 3
- 2009: High Impact Trailer Music Vol. 1
- 2010: High Impact Trailer Music Vol. 2
- 2010: Music for Advertising
- 2010: Tension and Drama Music for Modern TV
- 2011: Music for Advertising Vol. 2
- 2011: Music for Video Games
- 2011: Epic Orchestral and Cinematic Rock for Film Trailers
Intricate Unit[19]
- 1999: Deception
- 2000: Denial
- 2002: Detached
- 2005: Thru-Hole
- 2011: To Live is Pain
TV Credits
For a Full list of credits, please visit Kopec's official IMDB page:
MTV / MTV2 / MTV3- Real World Road Rules Challenge, Dr. Drew, Parental Control, Rock Dinner
CBS – As the World Turns
Showtime – UFC Fight
Sony Pictures – The Greg Behrendt Show
A&E – Ice Road Truckers (History Ch.), Gene Simons Family Values
FOX Sports – NASCAR
E! – 10 Vampires We Love
Oxygen – Bad Girls Club
Filmography
For a Full list of credits, please visit Kopec's official IMDB page:
- Promised Land (Soundtrack) (2012)[20]
- Thinking Speed (Score) (2011)
- We Are the Future (Score) (2011)[21]
- Peril on Cemetery Road (Score) (2010)
- The Curse of Micah Rood (Trailer) (2010)
- Never Surrender (2 songs) (2009)
- Regret (composer) (2009)
- Train (Additional Music) (2008)
- This is the Sea 4 (2 songs) (2008)
- This is the Sea 3 (2 songs) (2007)[22]
- This is the Sea 2 (4 songs) (2005)
- This is the Sea 2 (4 songs) (2005)
- Silly (2 songs) (2005)
- That Tiny Little Crevice in the Back of Your Mind (3 songs) (2004)[23]
References
- ^ "Ben Kopec's IMDB". IMDB.
- ^ "Intricate Unit official website". Ben Kopec.
- ^ "Rock Pulse LinkedIn profile". LinkedIn.
- ^ "Ben Kopec's LinkedIn profile". LinkedIn.
- ^ "Ben Kopec's LinkedIn profile". LinkedIn.
- ^ Meet the DJs, WNHU, November 17, 2007, retrieved May 6, 2007
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(help) - ^ Intricate Unit tour log
- ^ 2006 Gathering of the Juggalos news, May 25, 2006, archived from the original on July 12, 2006
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suggested) (help) - ^ About Ben Kopec, Indie911, June 17, 2008, retrieved February 2, 2009
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(help) - ^ Scoring Contest, Hollywood Reporter, November 17, 2008, retrieved February 2, 2009
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(help)[dead link ] - ^ Seeking Film Opportunities, Versus Media, November 17, 2007, retrieved February 2, 2009
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(help) - ^ Ben Kopec Music Licensing, Sonicbids, August 5, 2008, retrieved February 2, 2009
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(help) - ^ Ben Kopec Bio and Licensing Info, Broken Joey Records, May 5, 2008, archived from the original on February 15, 2009, retrieved February 2, 2009
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(help) - ^ ASCAP Member search, ASCAP, November 17, 2007, retrieved February 2, 2009
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(help)[permanent dead link ] - ^ Rock Pulse LinkedIn, 'RockPulse
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(help) - ^ Kopec, Ben. "CD Review for Epic Orchestral and Cinematic Rock". Indie Music Digest. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
- ^ Kopec, Ben. "Epitome Music official website". Epitome Music.
- ^ Intricate Unit discography, Intricate Unit
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(help) - ^ "IMDB soundtrack page for "Promised Land"". IMDB. Retrieved 2012.
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(help) - ^ Kopec, Ben. "IMDB page for We are the Future". IMDB. Retrieved June 1, 2011.
- ^ Cackle TV, Cackle TV, November 17, 2006, archived from the original on December 29, 2008, retrieved February 2, 2009
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suggested) (help) - ^ That Tiny Little Crevice in the Back of your Mind, Neil McKay, November 17, 2004, retrieved February 2, 2009
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External links
- Ben Kopec, official website
- Ben Kopec's YouTube channel
- Intricate Unit Hard Industrial Rock band
- 1981 births
- Living people
- American male musicians
- University of New Haven alumni
- University of Hartford alumni
- American industrial musicians
- American alternative rock musicians
- American film score composers
- Video game composers
- American electronic musicians
- American heavy metal musicians
- People from Derby, Connecticut