AUDIO PRODUCTION AND COMPOSITION

  • Asa Bennett is a music producer, composer and spatial sound consultant. He recently scored the music for the BAFTA winning "My Childhood, My Country: Twenty Years in Afghanistan" and the "Arthouse smash" "Vermeer: The Greatest Exhibition" 

  • A working class Yorkshireman who somehow ended up based in London and Brighton, he has worked all over the globe over the last 20 years, from LA to Venice to New Zealand.

  • Always a  keen collaborator, he has been involved in many projects across a wide range of genres both as a composer, producer, songwriter and in spatial sound production. 

  •  Alongside his own projects he has worked extensively with Illustrious Company, the company founded by Martyn Ware (Heaven 17/Human League/Tina Turner) and Vince Clarke (Erasure/Depeche Mode/Yazoo) as technical director and composer. Illustrious specialises in spatial sound installations and has done over 60 projects worldwide. More details can be found at www.illustriouscompany.co.uk

     

 

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May 2024 Update. "John Singer Sargent- Fashion and Swagger" is around in Cinemas globally, and "Klimt and the Kiss" has been around the world already this year, but still available in a few cinemas. More Exhibition on Screen Films are in production and out later in the year, whilst the soundtracks are slowly being released, you can find them here, follow to keep up to date:  https://open.spotify.com/artist/6s3YonBo0SqkiyZvEbbScz?si=bJXOmudrQsuwPnvrFhcl4g

In other news theres more production and songwriting projects coming soon, the Femegades EP is out in June, with a couple of very cool Hip Hop/RnB tracks out in the summer.

The Soundtrack to 2023's "Arthouse Blockbuster"  "Vermeer: The Greatest Exhibition" is now up on all the streaming sites, follow us for more of the soundtracks coming online soon. https://songwhip.com/exhibitiononscreen/vermeer-the-greatest-exhibition

"Vermeer- The Greatest Exhibition" won the Big Screen "Event Cinema of the Year" Award this week. details here: https://www.bigscreenawards.com/2023-winners  Congratulations to the rest of the team.

The latest Exhibition on Screen Documentary "Vermeer; The Greatest Exhibition" is currently in Cinemas and received great reviews, including 5 stars in The Times and 4 Stars in the Guardian, it was even discussed on Jo Whiley's Radio show. Find a screening at https://seventh-art.com/product-category/exhibition-on-screen-2/ All the music was composed by my good self.

Lots of new production and songwriting projects coming up in 2023, as well as some new docuentaries all hitting the cinemas in the next couple of months. Here's a new production showreel (with a couple of songs that I engineered)  https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3CXQjIxwzJccjbmXkzHU2C?si=1506213d72774d7b

Happy 2023 to you all, I hope it is a great year for you all. There is loads of exciting stuff coming up, including 3 new Exhibition on Screen documentaries that are all being premiered in the next few months starting with "Mary Cassatt - Painting the Modern Woman" which gets released to coincide with International womens day (March 8th). Also I have some new production and songwriting projects are in progress, more to come on those.

I'm delighted to announce that our documentray "My Childhood, My Country" Won the BAFTA award for best single documentary at the BAFTA TV awards on the 8th May! Congratulations to everyone involved. It can be viewed on the ITV hub or streamed here https://seventh-art.com/

Phil Grabsky's brilliant "20 years in the making" documentary, "My Childhood, My Country" is now available to view on ITV and the ITV Hub. It follows a young Afghani boy (Mir) over 20 years of his life in the war torn country. I was asked to write some new music for this documentary which also features music by the late (and brilliant)  Dimitri Tchamouroff which he wrote for the first film about Mir (The boy who plays on the Buddhas of Bamiyan (2004)). It was an honour to be part of this incredible project, please give it a watch, you wont regret it. UPDATE- This Documentary has been nominated for 2 BAFTA Awards!!! Congratulations everyone

I'm very happy to have written some music for the new documentary "My Childhood, My Country" which gets its world premiere at the Sheffield Docfest in June. Filmed in Afghanistan over 20 years, this extraordinary film follows the life of a young boy called Mir Hussein growing up in a land ravaged by war.

The latest Exhibition on Screen Documentary "Sunflowers" is in Cinemas worldwide from June 8th. The film looks at the iconic works by Van Gogh, now in Amsterdam, London, Tokyo, Philadelphia and Munich galleries and deemed too delicate to ever be shown togerther again. I'm delighted to have had the opportunity to score another of these fantastic films.

Wishing you all a Happy 2021, I hope you are all safe and well. In these unusual times, work continues, albeit with ever shifting completion dates. The Exhibition on Screen "Frida Kahlo" Documentary had a limited Cinema release in the latter part of 2020 but hopefully will be back in Cinemas later in 2021, and we have more art documentaries already finished and ready to go. I was thrilled to provide a short piece of music for the Natural History Museum's "Fantastic Beasts - The Wonder of Nature"" exhibition, which opened just before Christmas. If you go, its the surround sound suitcase projection, it turned out really great.

Much more to come in 2021, in the meantime please stay safe.

We're very happy to announce that "Criminal Audition" directed by Sam Gridley, has had its US (VOD) release with the UK to follow soon. The soundtrack by Al Anderson and Asa Bennett is now available on all streaming platforms. Take your pick.

https://tidal.com

https://spotify.com

https://www.amazon.co.uk/

https://music.apple.com/

Here is a link to a new showreel I made of the "Exhibition on Screen" trailers that I have done over the past couple of years. Its incredible (and terrifying) to work with such brilliant visuals, they literally dont get any better than this. https://vimeo.com/410615834 (there is one more already done, I will add it once the trailer gets released)

I hope everyone is safe and healthy during lockdown. Composing is carrying on as (un)usual at the home studio. Thank you those of you have been in touch with regards to the Exhibition on Screen showings, I hope they are helping in these difficult times. See www.exhibitiononscreen.com for free streaming events. The next scheduled Cinema release is Frida Kahlo in July, more details to follow.

Merry Christmas everybody! Its been a busy year, so much so that I've barely had time to update the website. This year has seen the Exhibition on Screen series go from strength to strength with Degas, Van Gogh and Japan, the incredible Leonardo and, coming soon, Lucien Freud and Frida Kahlo. Its such an honour to be involved in this series, if you missed them at the cinema you can buy the DVDs or watch online and there is another series of Great Art coming soon to ITV. Also this year saw the release of "Criminal Audition" by Sam Gridley which was a huge success at frightfest and is currently doing the rounds of festivals, we predict great things for 2020. It was a brilliant project to score and we look forward to the next one.  Wishing everyone all the very best for 2020.

Congratulations to Chelou on the release of his first Album 'Out of Sight", which includes "Punch my Ticket" a track produced by Asa (under his Bůte moniker). Have a listen via the link below. Meanwhile his single "Damned Eye See" which was also produced by Asa has hit 1 Million plays of youtube. Hear the album here; https://open.spotify.com/album/1diPykTbU9Exvc09CuvycL

ITV Great Art returns for another series starting in May. Asa scored 3 of the episodes; Painting the Modern Garden- Monet to Matise, Goya- Visions of flesh and blood, and Cezanne- Portraits of a life.

"Criminal Audition" the new feature film by Director Sam Gridley, gets its World Premier at the Prince Charles Cinema on April 2nd 2019. Scored by Asa Bennett with Al Anderson, the Soundtrack has been described as Blade Runner meets Morricone. More details here; https://www.criminalauditionmovie.com/

"Degas: Passion for Perfecton" is on general release around the world from November 6th. An in depth look at the great artist and his work.  https://exhibitiononscreen.com/films/degas-passion-for-perfection/

"Van Gogh - A New Way of Seeing" and"The Curious World of Hieronymus Bosch" are available on the ITV Hub as part of the  "Great Art" series. Both scored by Asa. Have a look at the Hockney and Manet episodes too, fantastic documentary making from Exhibition on Screen.  https://www.itv.com/hub/great-art/2a4980

"Van Gogh - A New Way of Seeing" is being shown as part of ITV's "Great Art" series on thursday 17th May 10.45

Van Gogh - A New Way of Seeing returns to the Cinema in March 2018. Find out more about the worlds favourite artist. https://exhibitiononscreen.com/find-a-screening/

Exhibition on Screen's latest documentary on Paul Cezanne, the "father of modern art", is out in cinemas today. An edited version will be shown later in the year as part of ITV's "Great art" series. Music by Asa Bennett

Happy New Year to you all!  2018 kicks of with the ITV series "Great Art" which starts on Jan 4th at 10.45pm. A 5 part series, 3 episodes of which were scored by Asa. 

First off is  Canaletto & The Art Of Venice At The Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace and features Soprano Jenny Bacon. More details here;     https://www.itv.com/presscentre/ep1week1/great-art

Very excited to announce Asa will be co-scoring the new film by Director Juliet Ellis, "Morning", with Mem Morrison. More details to follow, you can follow the progress here;

 https://www.morningthefilm.com                 

The latest Exhibition on Screen is released 26th September at Cinemas around the world. The latest artist to come under the spotlight is Canaletto and his home, Venice. More details here; 

https://exhibitiononscreen.com/films/canaletto-and-the-art-of-venice/

Music composed by Asa Bennett

"Michelangelo; Love and Death" is out in Cinemas worldwide from Tuesday 13th June. Music composed by Asa Bennett. See the trailer here; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xb0StAlGoDc

Asa is currently scoring the upcoming Exhibition on Screen Feature about Michaelangelo. You can see the Trailer here; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JabBCTwvMI&feature=em-subs_digest The full film is released in Cinemas around the world from June 2017.

The new Exhibition on Screen/Seventh Art documentary "The Curious world of Hieronymus Bosch" is out in cinemas worldwide. With an original soundtrack by Asa Bennett and also featuring Capella Pratensis singing pieces from the time of Bosch. To find a screening follow this link: http://www.exhibitiononscreen.com/en-uk/our-films/season-4/the-curious-world-of-hieronymous-bosch

 

This week is the world premier of "Luminous" by Mem Morrison at the Norman Foster designed Willis Building in Ipswich as part of the Spill Festival of performance. An Album/Installation/Performance piece with 3D sound. The album was produced and spatialised by Asa.   https://spillfestival.com/show/luminous/

The new Bakers Eddy single is out, produced by Asa. See the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OM-QTQEvEcg&feature=youtu.be

Rose Betts new EP is out on 21st September. Produced, recorded and mixed by Asa at his north London studio. 

The new Exhibition on screen/Seventh Art documentary is released in cinemas around the globe from November. This one is about the Hieronymus Bosch exhibition that happened in his home town earlier this year. The soundtrack was composed by Asa and also features the Accapella group Cappella Pratensis.

Asa has just finished mixing the new album by Indie Veterans "Piano Magic", to be released in the Autumn. 

Bakers Eddy's new single "Wallbreaker" (produced by Asa) is out now and getting great reviews. It also has a great video, see it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1HFOCsREeA

You can hear and/or download the first song from Ryan Edwards "The Cicada Sessions" EP here: http://rvrb.fm/1RIfN0U recorded live and unaccompanied other than the sound of the Cicadas coming through the open window in the summer heat of Waikanae, NZ

Rose Betts latest single was produced by Asa Bennett, you can hear it here: https://soundcloud.com/rosebetts/changing-days let us know what you think!

The new Exhibition on Screen release "Painting the Modern Garden- Monet to Matisse" is premiered on 12th April at selected cinemas around the UK and on international release from 24th May. Soundtrack by Asa Bennett. See here for details http://www.exhibitiononscreen.com/en-uk/our-films/season-3/painting-modern-garden 

Asa has just returned to the UK after a month of recording in New Zealand, including a week at the fantastic Roundhead Studios in Auckland. New releases coming soon from Bakers Eddy and Ryan Edwards.

 

Asa continues his collaboration with "Exhibition on Screen" with "Goya- Visions of Flesh and Blood" in Cinemas from Dec 1st, a documentary about the Goya exhibition currently being shown at the National Gallery.  See the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpLA9X0gBeU

  

The Soundtrack to "Van Gogh- A New way of Seeing" is now available to stream on soundcloud. https://soundcloud.com/asa-bennett/sets/van-gogh-a-new-way-of-seeing-ost

 

Asa has recently been working with Performance Artist Mem Morrison on a new project called "Luminous" which is premiered in Birminham on the weekend of the 25th/26th September. More details here:

http://birmingham-rep.co.uk/event/luminous/;

Asa recently composed the (spatial) soundtrack to Lucy and Jorge Orga's "Symphony for Absent Wildlife". A performance commisioned by Zegna for the occasion of the Milan Expo. Based on the sound of birdcall and natural sounds combined with bird whistles and fully spatial sound.                    http://www.studio-orta.com/en/artwork/560/Fabulae-Naturae-Symphony-for-Absent-Wildlife

Zahrina Bhimji's new film "Jangbar" was recently premiered in Miami. Sound by Martyn Ware and Asa Bennett

"Audrey Riley with James Woodrow - Tre Laude Dolce" is now out and available to buy, at Rough Trade records. A collection of compositions by Gavin Bryars which Asa was fortunate to be involved with editing and mixing. 

http://www.roughtrade.com/albums/94622

 

The Trailer for the Van Gogh Documentary is now live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bF3aSdLvQck&feature=youtu.be&a all music (for the Film and Trailer) by Asa. The Film is in Cinemas 14th April.

2015 is turning out to be the busiest start to the year ever. Recent projects include;

- The soundtrack for Exhibition on Screen's new documentary about Van Gogh, which premiers in April at all good Art House Cinemas (see here for details)

- An exciting new collaboration with performance Artist Mem Morrison details to come

- The release of Rose Betts "I Can Never Give my Heart" See her wonderful video here. Plus working on her upcoming EP

- An exciting new interactive with Hirsch and Mann

- Pre Production for the new Illustrious company soundscape in the city of Liverpool to celebrate the 175th anniversary of Cunard.

- Live sound with Berenice Scott who is promoting her recent album "Polarity" which featured production and mixing by Asa

- A new commision for a soundscape at the National Maritme museum.

- And finally AR records/Audrey Riley are about the release an album of Gavin Bryars pieces for solo Cello and Cello and guitar which was mixed by Asa

The Girl with a Pearl Earring Premiers at the Curzon Cinema Chelsea on Tuesday 13th Jan. More details Here: http://www.curzoncinemas.com/events/details/2627/exhibition-on-screen-girl-with-a-pearl-earring--qa/

 

The new Bakers Eddy Single, produced by Asa, can be heard here: http://www.theaudience.co.nz/bakers-eddy/plastic-wasteland/

"Tū mokemoke" by Aotea Cornelius is out now, hear it here https://soundcloud.com/user-mz-aotz/aotea-02-p2p-16bit44-1khz. Produced by Asa Bennett

Asa has recently scored a new documentary about the "Girl with a Pearl Earring" picture for Seventh Art productions in association with the Mauritshuis Museum in The Hague.

Read an interview of Asa talking about spatial sound: http://gbtimes.com/life/listen-future-spatial-sound (Interview by Asa Butcher)

Bakers Eddy release their new single "Something Outside" produced and mixed by Asa Bennett. Hear it here: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EymIYFPyhM

2014-06-30 Asa has just relocated to a new studio space in North London, 5 minutes walk from Finsbury Park station (15 minutes from the west end). If you need to record a voice over or vocal or you  need your song producing, get in touch. Live in-house rhythm section also now available, top session players who have played with many big name artists, email for details.

Website for the new studio coming soon.

2014-05-28 Berenice Scott releases her new album on 2nd June with a gig at Pizza Express in Soho. The album features production and mixing by Asa Bennett. 

2014-05-01 Southwell Palace. Asa is installing a large spatial sound system as part of the renovation works at Great Hall at Southwell Minster in Nottinghamshire. The soundscape will consist of didactic information about the history of the Hall as well as sounds from the Minster and recreations of historical events. The launch date will be June 2014.

2014-04-30 New Zealand. Asa has just returned from a 3 week trip to New Zealand, producing Aotea Cornelius, Bakers Eddy, Toni Gibson and an exciting new label project, details to be announced very soon.

2013-12-20 Still Born Still Loved website is now live http://bigbuddhafilms.co.uk/films/documentary/still-born-still-loved. A teaser will be available soon and the full documentary will be finished later in the spring. Music by Asa Bennett

2013-12 The new “We are children we make noise” album is now out on AR Records, recorded and mixed by Asa Bennett. Follow them here @wacwmsmusic or their website is here:  http://www.wearechildrenwemakesound.com/

2013-11-10 Photos from the spectacular opening of the Strøm Festival in Copenhagen last August.
http://kopenhagen.dk/magasin/magazine-single/article/stroem-festival-2013-opening-concert-panorama/

2013-03-10 Stills from the recent British Museum “Ice Age Art” exhibition
http://www.newangle.co.uk/#!viewProject&projectID=139 and new pictures of an older project with Cadbury’s http://www.newangle.co.uk/#!viewProject&projectID=121

2013-08-12 New Album “DARK” from BEF (featuring guitar, programming and engineering from Asa Bennett)  (http://www.britishelectricfoundation.com/)

2013-07-12 “House of Illustrious” 10 CD Box Set by Mute records. (http://www.clarkewareboxset.com/). Music and spatial sounds from 10 years of Illustrious Company installations.

2013-02-04 Album launch for the We Are Children (We Make Sound) album.
https://www.facebook.com/events/571077319653860/

2013-02-01 Short Clip of the Michael Clark show at the Tate Turbine hall http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNfFb7pt3rg Asa was involved in the spatial audio for this incredible project.