This week we bring you a junior nerd on the brink of fame: Ben O. from MN! Truly on the hyper end of the Nerd Energy Scale (caffeine-induced though it could be), Ben's a man of many gigs. He's an entrepreneur with a recording label (Leep Records) as well as his own "little Internet company" (Textramarck Web Co.). At the impressionable (and impression making) age of 23, he's recorded his own music, represented other artists on his label, and has even managed to earn his black belt in Tae Kwon Do. In an effort to avoid high kicks to the head, we played it tame with our investigative reporting. Nonetheless, here's the scoop on this scion of technopop.
An aversion to sports, a penchant for comic book collecting, and a voracious interest in computers all added up to one major identity breakthrough: Ben was a Nerd. Going to work at his dad's computer company helped to further mold Ben's nerdly identity as well. Furthermore, a passion for music and art devoured his thinking and time. He began to use computers heavily, relying on them to further hone his artistic talents.
Ben wanted to be a recording artist for as long as he can remember. He started playing piano at ten, then moved on to guitar at twelve. He was much inspired by one guitar teacher, who taught him classical music theory, principles of song writing and arrangement. After moving to Dallas shortly after his 18th birthday, Ben started experimenting with electronic dance music. He began to grow out of the guitar, and soon focused on playing keyboard and programming drum machines as well as editing music via computer. Later, he earned a degree in Computer Animation from the Art Institute of Dallas and then went to work for a computer game company in Austin, Texas (circa 1996). However, Ben was convinced that writing dance music was his true niche. Holding that conviction close to his heart, he founded Leep Records almost two years ago.
Working under the stage name "Amore", Ben has [locally] released a maxi-single called "Running Around" and has signed distribution contracts with online (and soon to be online) distribution companies. He represents another artist on his label, "AJP", and has been working on signing more artists for online distribution deals. As for his little Internet company… Ben's been making major URL submissions to "mass amounts of search engines" (NerdWorld being among the most celebrated). He's also working on web design and promotion (and who isn't). For this reason, Ben's been soaking up principles of HTML and Java - especially Java "because it helps with the functionality of my websites."
Ben's early computer use revolved around a 386 40 MHz system in an 8888 case, which he still uses. He added numerous spare parts which were lying around his dad's office: a 386 33 MHz motherboard, 300MB hard drive, and 8 MB of RAM. The system, to all appearances outmoded, still serves Ben well because he needs a computer that can support the drivers for his Midi interface. Additional equipment in his Nerd Lab includes a 400 MHz celeron processor, a Pentium 233 with a Layla hard drive recording system and "two turntables and a microphone."
Although many might view him as a music stud, Ben claims to be fundamentally shy and busy. This prevents him from meeting a girl who could appreciate his Nerdiosity. "I think my best real life hack would be getting a girl to go out with me and stick around - access granted!"
For amusement (as well as work), Ben enjoys writing, recording, producing and engineering recordings. He's also an expert in martial arts, having earned his black belt in Tae Kwon Do (and winning second place in the state championships!) He idolizes Nerds of all genres, stating that "a nerd is someone who loves to learn [above all] else and strives to reach unrealistically high goals." One of his nerd role models is recording artist BT (Brian Transeau). "He is an incredible composer and producer. He's classically trained [and has written material that is] unbelievably stylized… rare for techno music." Aside from the mundane dream of being rich, successful and internationally recognized, Ben would also like to score music for the movies and go public with his record label: "I don't want to be an indie forever." When asked what he thinks about the "bad boys" of the Undernet (like Wrapster, Napster and Gnutella), Ben's response was extremely positive: "I think they help recording artists. There isn't a really concrete way of measuring the effect on record sales, but distributing MP3 files is a cheap way of promoting your music. A file costs nothing for you to reproduce. When fans are swapping MP3 files that they have downloaded for free they are doing some [good] work for you…"
Although a neophyte on the path to greater Nerdliness, Ben would like to be remembered as an intelligent person if not the best in his field. He currently visits NerdWorld in an effort to publicize his websites and search for other creatures of his kind. "I want all the nerds out there to think of me as one too." Such kudos bestowed as we recognize Ben O. as our new Nerd of the Week. You can download Ben's music for free over at MP3.com. Also be sure to visit the Leep Records web site.
