Ben Philcox

What did you do before joining dBs?

"I’ve been lucky enough to have a varied portfolio career, which has centred around working in studios and creating sound and music content for a number of different media outlets. I also founded a record label and publishing platform called Prima Rosa, which has a number of artists on its repertoire and is still active today. I have worked with a number of production companies, institutions and studios including BBC, UKRD, USP - London, Dair and various Arts Council funded projects."

Why did you first get into sound/ music composition for screen?

"Music and sound in films is something that has always been of interest, ever since going to the cinema as a child. Seeing - and more importantly hearing - Star Wars on the big screen all those years ago certainly struck a chord. In later years, the immersive nature of surround sound was something that particularly inspired me and working in multi-channel arrays is a process I still enjoy to this day."

Any special areas of interest?

"I am interested in exploring the origins of film music and film sound aesthetics – researching for example, where a sound/music edit first came from. I’m also interested in exploring anthropological studies into the use of music and sound technologies within the film making process. I’m currently working on a large research project centred around this as a core subject. I have also been involved in a number of experimental music/film collaborations, involving improvised live scores and other experimental film-based content, which I find fascinating."

What do you love most about what you do?

"There is nothing more rewarding than working with students on a big film project and getting the final sign-off by the director/client, then hearing praise as the final version of the film soundtrack is seen by its audience. As a music and sound supervisor, I really enjoy facilitating a collection of creative ideas and then seeing them all come together and work for the greater good of a film project."

Tell us about your proudest career moment.

"Setting up Prima Rosa was a dream come true, and it has been incredibly rewarding working with different artists and producers to create music and scores on this platform. The memory of recording at Abbey Road studios is also something which still brings me great happiness.

"Another fun and interesting career moment was recording atmospheres, environments and features on tape for the BBC. I feel very lucky to have learned these processes on tape, where you have to listen very carefully, making sure you capture exactly what is required. These fundamentals have stayed with me my entire career. Oh, I did really enjoy reading the shipping forecast on the radio for the BBC as well!"

What do you get up to outside of teaching?

"I am still making music with my band Dawn Chorus Ignites, playing live whenever we get the opportunity. I am also a bit of a countryside nut... I love walking, cycling, paddle boarding and generally getting out there at every given opportunity. I also love going to live concerts, from orchestral score/film performances at the Royal Albert Hall, to sweaty gigs at venues like The Fleece, The Exchange or Thekla in Bristol."

Tell us something our students may not know about you.

"After an enlightening conversation with Alex Paterson of The Orb, I decided to live in the French alps for six months, writing ambient music which was subsequently released on my label, Prima Rosa. Whilst I was mainly there to make music, I also got pretty good at snowboarding and skiing!"

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