Factor Eight

“everything you hear, is only my voice”

Factor Eight (Andrew Bennett, he/him) is an award-winning experimental composer creating cinematic soundscapes entirely with his voice. Through innovative vocal processing and layering, he transforms the human voice into dark, immersive sonic environments—a technique that has earned him sync placements in Gladiator II, A24's Warfare, the Oscar-winning film Women Talking, and on Disney+ and Apple TV.

His music sits at the intersection of ambient, experimental, and neo-classical, drawing comparisons to composers like Jóhann Jóhannsson and Trent Reznor. What makes Factor Eight unique is his voice-only approach: every sound originates from his vocal cords, engineered and processed into unrecognizable textures that serve both his cinematic work and his deeply personal exploration of mental health.

December 11, 2025 marked Factor Eight's first-ever live performance at The Refinery in Saskatoon—a sold-out debut that audiences called "one of the best shows they've ever seen," with many describing the experience as transformative and immersive.

“With messages that include hope and resilience, music opens the door to critical conversations about wellness and mental health. Finally music can be a stigma buster, as it builds awareness and normalizes mental health issues.

CMHA Saskatoon is grateful for the work Andrew is doing to connect people to their own mental health and for encouraging them to be open and empowered.”

— Faith Bodnar, Executive Director, CMHA Saskatoon

RECENT ACHIEVEMENTS

Live Performance:

- Debut live show: December 11, 2025 at The Refinery, Saskatoon (sold out)

Sync & Commercial Placements:

Apple TV's Smoke (2024)
Gladiator II (2024)
A24's Warfare (2025)
Women Talking (2022) - Oscar-winning film
Disney+ (2022)

Awards & Recognition:

3x Saskatchewan Music Awards: 2023 Instrumental, 2022 Electronic, 2021 Experimental Artist of the Year
Western Canadian Music Award: 2021 Visual Media Composer of the Year
SOCAN Foundation Award (2018) - Original score for short film Citizen

Editorial & Playlist Success:

Multiple Spotify & Apple Music editorial playlist placements
Featured by Native Instruments, Magnetic Mag, Music Tech Magazine, CBC

A black and white photo of a person with a bald head, wearing headphones, holding a microphone, and standing in front of a monitor, seen through blurry foreground objects.

A person standing in front of a desk with two computer monitors, looking at a phone, with a window in the background showing a house and trees. The room is dimly lit.

Silhouette of a person looking at a projected or reflected image of trees and leaves in black and white.

A solitary bald person performing or working DJ setup with red stage lighting, a laptop, and electronic equipment on a table.

Silhouette of a person with a shaved head working with DJ equipment in low light, illuminated by a bright light source.

A person with a shaved head and earring recording vocals in a red-lit studio with a microphone.

Everything you hear,

is only my voice

Factor Eight's signature technique involves recording vocal sound — breathing, humming, singing, speaking—and transforming them through digital processing into atmospheric textures, percussive elements, and melodic foundations. This constraint becomes a strength: the intimate nature of the human voice creates emotional immediacy that traditional instruments cannot replicate.

This approach serves both his commercial sync work (where unique, hard-to-categorize music stands out to supervisors) and his personal artistic vision exploring mental health themes through sound.

MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY

Through his music and the Fear, My Friend philosophy, Factor Eight addresses mental health openly and without stigma. Living with bipolar disorder, he uses his platform “hoping to inspire a feeling of connection among others who struggle, and sense of compassion among those who struggle to relate”.

"Through my first-hand experience with mental illness and with a platform to express themes and ideas through art, I feel a responsibility to use my music in service to this cause. I hope this project will inspire a feeling of connection in those who struggle, and a sense of compassion in those who struggle to relate."

Factor Eight partners with the Canadian Mental Health Association Saskatoon, donating a portion of music proceeds to support mental health services. His work has received support from FACTOR, SK Arts, Creative Saskatchewan, Canada Council for the Arts, and CMHA Saskatoon.

COLLABORATORS & CREATIVE TEAM

KENTON DOUPE

Creative Consultant / Photographer / Visual Design
Nelson, BC-based, Saskatoon-born, multidisciplinary artist and Factor Eight's longtime creative director (10+ year collaboration). BFA graduate specializing in photography, graphic design, videography, and fine woodworking—creating cohesive visual identities across album artwork, promotional materials, and live performance visuals.
Alex Willems

VIDEOGRAPHER

Saskatoon-based cinematographer, director, and editor working with Factor Eight since 2022. Owner of Rakonture production company, specializing in music videos and narrative projects for artists including Factor Eight, Troy Sosa, and Saskatchewan Jazz Festival.
Adrian Vendiola

Choreographer / Movement
Vancouver-based choreographer and director of world-renowned dance crews Brotherhood and Northside, with multiple World Championship titles at Hip Hop International, Body Rock, and Vibe competitions. Has choreographed for K-POP artists including NCT Dream and commercials for Nissan and Calia, bringing elite movement direction to Factor Eight's live performances.
Ana Solano

Choreographer
Award-winning contemporary choreographer (2024 Showtime Dance Extreme Overall Top Choreography, 2017 Calgary Dance Teacher Expo) who collaborates with Factor Eight on music/dance performance art pieces including "River Voices" and "Voices" at Nuit Blanche Saskatoon.
Nano Clow

Director / Artist
Canadian film director and artist based in London, UK, with work screened globally and featured on 1.4, Director's Library, PAPER Magazine, and Booooooom. BFA graduate from University of British Columbia, multi-funded by Canada Council for the Arts, and commissioned artist for the 2025 Fluxusmuseum Prize with installations exhibited across Canada, UK, and Europe.

DISCOGRAPHY HIGHLIGHTS

II (2023)

Experimental concept album featuring "A Voice" series—compositions created entirely with vocal sounds. Raw, honest exploration of living with bipolar disorder.

Key Tracks: "Fear, My Friend" (music video), "A Voice VI"

A DØ (2021)

Released as a disintegrating album-film at NothingLastsForever.ca, this project deleted itself from streaming platforms, transforming into static and noise over time. Featured on Disney+ Shipwreck Hunters Australia.

Key Tracks: "For Peace", "Tides of Uncertainty", "Passenger"

Shinrin-Yoku (2021)

Original score for HEAD SKI film. Won 2021 WCMA Visual Media Composer of the Year.

PRESS & TESTIMONIALS

His vocal-only approach is more than a technical decision. It’s a personal method built around trust in his own instincts, careful attention to detail, and a long-term vision that ties his music and message together.””

- Native Instruments

"Factor Eight [...] brings classic to the club in his new dance track Passenger. [...] The track has a feeling of movement, of travel to somewhere new and bright. I couldn't help but feel hopeful listening to it."

— Graeme Smith, York Calling

"'A Voice (IV)' is a minimal, ambient piece of music that's been created by Factor Eight solely using his voice. On first listen, this wouldn't necessarily be apparent and that's what makes the track even more impressive/unique. It's a dark, spacious piece of music that's haunting in parts and yet hopeful in others."

— MixItAllUp.com