Today we’d like to introduce you to Ben Olsen.
Ben, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve always loved music. When I was 2 years old I was singing along with American Idol with the treadmill as my stage! I grew up playing the violin and singing, and one Christmas my parents got me a microphone and an interface. I started learning how to use them by recording covers, and then quickly picked up the guitar and the piano and began songwriting.
In middle school I started booking acting roles for studios like Hallmark and Disney, so I switched to online school. I spent all the extra time I had working on music and learning how to produce my songs. Eventually, I gained the skills and confidence to start releasing what I was recording. Not long after, I discovered a love of producing and mixing other artists’ music.
Right before I left to serve an LDS mission in the Dominican Republic, I got involved with the Church’s globally famous youth music program, Strive to Be. I’ve been writing, singing, and helping produce songs for them for several years now and have made some of the most recognizable tunes in the youth scene, such as “Faith” and “Over Mine”.
Since getting home from my mission, I have been producing for and working with local and LA-based artists, as well as releasing my own original music regularly.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t been easy, especially when it comes to my faith. Right before I left on my LDS mission, I was offered a chance to make my dreams come true- tour the world, write for my favorite artists, and make a living in the music industry. God is more important to me, and I felt a responsibility to Him, so I walked away from that opportunity. There have been several other instances where my faith was challenged or I haven’t fit in with the artists I’m working with, but I continue to proudly represent my values.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am an alternative/indie/bedroom pop songwriter, producer, and mix engineer. This means that I help artists in this genre to bring their vision to life in whatever stage of the song-making process they are in- including writing, arranging, recording, and mixing. I have written and produced music for independent artists, mental health organizations, Christian bands, and most notably the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
I specialize in heart-felt and emotionally driven music, characterized by wet guitars, atmospheric synths, and tight drums. I believe feelings are beautiful and have a passion for voicing them through the art that I create.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I’ve never taken any courses and hardly learned through online channels- my skills have been developed almost purely through mentorship and watching other people. I’ve gotten to learn from some of my favorite producers just because I put myself out there (for example, someone I was working with mentioned the name of one of my biggest inspirations in music, so I asked if he could set me up and introduce me over a Zoom call, which led to me staying on his couch in LA and working with him several times since). My biggest advice? BE CURIOUS! Be clear on what you don’t know and want to learn, and be present with people. Ask powerful and intentional questions.
Pricing:
- Producing: $650-$800 (project based)
- Mixing: $250-$350 (project based)
- Recording: $45/hr
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benolsenmusic
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5s4840ECFnbR54nPNqlMke
