{{Short description|American-based musician and composer (born 1981)}} {{COI|date=July 2019}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2014}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Ben Kopec | caption = | image = Ben Kopec Headshot.jpg | image_size = | birth_name = Benjamin Nils Kopec | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1981|11|10}} | birth_place = Derby, Connecticut, U.S. | genre = Industrial rock, industrial metal, electronic music, film score, video game music | occupation = Publisher, composer | instrument = Vocals, guitar, bass, programming, drums, piano, synthesizer | years_active = 1999–present | label = Independent | associated_acts = Intricate Unit }}
'''Benjamin Nils Kopec '''(born November 10, 1981), known better by his stage name, '''Ben Kopec''', is an American-based musician and composer.
As a composer, Kopec has had his music used in feature film trailers including ''The Tall Man'', ''Never Surrender'', and ''The Curse of Micah Rood''. He formed the American-based Industrial rock band Intricate Unit in 1999, but did not start performing live until 2003. Since then Intricate Unit has opened for bands on the East Coast, and headlined their own tour in 2006.<ref>{{cite web|title=Intricate Unit official website|url=http://www.intricateunit.com/Home.htm|publisher=Ben Kopec|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130925191954/http://www.intricateunit.com/Home.htm|archive-date=September 25, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
in 2006, Kopec launched Epitome Music Library. The primary goal of the company is to place music into film, TV, video games, advertising campaigns, and other mediums. Previous companies Kopec has started include a Rock Band Authoring service, called The Rock Pulse, to help bands get their music into the Rock Band Network.
In 2018, Kopec launched OnChain Music, a music distribution service for blockchain related music platforms. OnChain Music also help musicians generate royalties on the blockchain through the sale of NFTs.
==Early life and education== Kopec studied Music and Sound Recording at the University of New Haven for 2 years before attending and receiving his 4-year Bachelor of Science degree in Audio Engineering at the University of Hartford. He went on to also receive his minor in Communication Studies. Kopec also received his Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ben Kopec's LinkedIn profile|url=http://www.linkedin.com/in/benkopec|publisher=LinkedIn}}</ref> Kopec is currently taking classes for his Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering.
While attending the University of New Haven, Kopec inherited an 8-year-running industrial music radio station called ''The Industrial Revolution''. The station itself was called WNHU 88.7 FM. Kopec would go on the air every Wednesday from 6 pm to 8 pm for over 2 years.<ref>{{Citation |title=Meet the DJs|url=http://www.wnhu.net/?dest=djs |publisher=WNHU |date=November 17, 2007 |access-date=2007-05-06}}</ref>
==Career== Kopec started the band Intricate Unit. Having played many shows at Toad's Place in New Haven, CT, the band eventually started playing many shows in the Tri-state area and touring across the country;<ref>{{Citation|title=Intricate Unit tour log|url=http://www.intricateunit.com/Live.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304065606/http://www.intricateunit.com/Live.htm|archive-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> notably, playing to thousands of people in Ohio in 2006 at the Gathering of the Juggalos.<ref>{{Citation|title=2006 Gathering of the Juggalos news |url=//www.juggalogathering.com/lf/gotj06.php |date=May 25, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060712100658/http://www.juggalogathering.com/lf/gotj06.php |archive-date=July 12, 2006 }}</ref>
Kopec composes for film, TV, and video games.<ref>{{Citation |title=About Ben Kopec |url=http://www.indie911.com/user_browser?uID=38249 |publisher=Indie911 |date=June 17, 2008 |access-date=2009-02-02 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
Kopec has placed twice at the Hollywood Reporter Film and TV Music Conference in Los Angeles for his music in trailers and video games.<ref>{{Citation |title=Scoring Contest |url=http://www.billboardevents.com/billboardevents/filmtv/film-scoring-contest/index.jsp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080804210245/http://www.billboardevents.com/billboardevents/filmtv/film-scoring-contest/index.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 4, 2008 |publisher=Hollywood Reporter |date=November 17, 2008 |access-date=2009-02-02 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Seeking Film Opportunities |url=https://www.versusmedia.com/profile/4839 |publisher=Versus Media |date=November 17, 2007 |access-date=2009-02-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509080124/http://www.versusmedia.com/profile/4839 |archive-date=May 9, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Kopec also works with Massachusetts-based company Sonicbids for music licensing opportunities.<ref>{{Citation |title=Ben Kopec Music Licensing |url=http://www.sonicbids.com/Opportunity/OpportunityView.aspx?opportunity_id=12920|publisher=Sonicbids |date=August 5, 2008 |access-date=2009-02-02}}</ref> Kopec has been an ASCAP (American Society for Composers and Publishers) member since 2005.<ref>{{Citation |title=ASCAP Member search|url=http://www.ascap.com/ace/search.cfm?requesttimeout=300&mode=results&searchstr=1690527&search_in=c&search_type=exact&search_det=t,s,w,p,b,v&results_pp=20&start=1 |publisher=ASCAP |date=November 17, 2007 |access-date=2009-02-02}}</ref> Kopec also has a music publishing company called Jukebox Johnny with ASCAP.<ref>{{Citation|title=ASCAP Member search|url=http://www.ascap.com/ace/search.cfm?requesttimeout=300|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000510070043/http://www.ascap.com/ace/search.cfm?requesttimeout=300|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 10, 2000|publisher=ASCAP|date=November 17, 2007|access-date=February 2, 2009}}</ref>
In late 2009, Kopec started a company called The Rock Pulse. The mission of this company was to provide a service for bands to get into the Rock Band Network. The Rock Pulse has authored songs for Intricate Unit and Dead By Wednesday. However, Kopec decided in 2011 to focus more of his energy on other companies.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rock Pulse LinkedIn|url=http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rock-pulse|work=RockPulse|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121213110343/http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rock-pulse|archive-date=December 13, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
On 10-10-10, Kopec relocated his home and studio to Los Angeles.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}} On June 1, 2011, Kopec's release, ''Epic Orchestral and Cinematic Rock for Film Trailers'', was reviewed and nominated for Best CD of the Year.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kopec|first=Ben|title=CD Review for Epic Orchestral and Cinematic Rock|url=http://www.indiemusicdigest.com/K.html|publisher=Indie Music Digest|access-date=May 31, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324210515/http://www.indiemusicdigest.com/K.html|archive-date=March 24, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In late 2012, Kopec launched Epitome Music Library which represents artists and bands. Some of EML's clients include CBS, Discovery, and Bunnim-Murray.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kopec|first=Ben|title=Epitome Music official website|url= http://www.epitomemusic.com/|publisher=Epitome Music}}</ref>
==Discography== ===Ben Kopec=== *2004: ''Film and Game Trax 1'' *2005: ''Film and Game Trax 2'' *2005: ''Diverse Dance Music'' *2005: ''Acoustic Guitar Works'' *2006: ''Piano Pieces 1'' *2006: ''Sports Music Vol. 1'' *2007: ''High Energy Sports Music Vol. 2'' *2008: ''Cutting Edge Orchestral Music Vol. 1'' *2009: ''High Energy Sports Music Vol. 3'' *2009: ''High Impact Trailer Music Vol. 1'' *2010: ''High Impact Trailer Music Vol. 2'' *2010: ''Music for Advertising'' *2010: ''Tension and Drama Music for Modern TV'' *2011: ''Music for Advertising Vol. 2'' *2011: ''Music for Video Games'' *2011: ''Epic Orchestral and Cinematic Rock for Film Trailers''
===Intricate Unit=== *1999: ''Deception'' *2000: ''Denial'' *2002: ''Detached'' *2005: ''Thru-Hole'' *2011: ''To Live is Pain''<ref>{{Citation |title=Intricate Unit discography |url=http://www.intricateunit.com/Discography.htm |publisher=Intricate Unit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304125954/http://www.intricateunit.com/Discography.htm |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==TV credits== * ''MTV / MTV2 / MTV3''- Real World Road Rules Challenge, Dr. Drew, Parental Control, Rock Dinner * ''CBS'' – As the World Turns * ''Showtime'' – UFC Fight * ''Sony Pictures'' – The Greg Behrendt Show * ''A&E'' – Ice Road Truckers (History Ch.), Gene Simons Family Values * ''FOX Sports'' – NASCAR * ''E!'' – 10 Vampires We Love * ''Oxygen'' – Bad Girls Club
==Filmography== *Promised Land (Soundtrack) (2012) *''Thinking Speed (Score)'' (2011) *''We Are the Future (Score)'' (2011) *''Peril on Cemetery Road (Score)'' (2010) *''The Curse of Micah Rood (Trailer)'' (2010) *''Never Surrender'' (2 songs) (2009) *''Regret'' (composer) (2009) *''Train'' (Additional Music) (2008) *''This is the Sea 4'' (2 songs) (2008) *''This is the Sea 3'' (2 songs) (2007)<ref>{{Citation|title=Cackle TV|url=http://www.cackletv.com/this-is-the-sea-3-credits.html|publisher=Cackle TV|date=November 17, 2006|access-date=2009-02-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081229131655/http://www.cackletv.com/this-is-the-sea-3-credits.html|archive-date=December 29, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> *''This is the Sea 2'' (4 songs) (2005) *''This is the Sea 2'' (4 songs) (2005) *''Silly'' (2 songs) (2005) *''That Tiny Little Crevice in the Back of Your Mind'' (3 songs) (2004)<ref>{{Citation |title=That Tiny Little Crevice in the Back of your Mind |url=http://www.neilmccay.com/backofyourmind/media.html |publisher=Neil McKay |date=November 17, 2004 |access-date=2009-02-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714162453/http://www.neilmccay.com/backofyourmind/media.html |archive-date=July 14, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category|Ben Kopec}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20081119134949/http://www.benkopec.com/ official website] *[http://www.IntricateUnit.com/ Intricate Unit] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203224858/http://www.intricateunit.com/ |date=February 3, 2009 }}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Kopec, Ben}} Category:1981 births Category:Living people Category:American male musicians Category:University of New Haven alumni Category:University of Hartford alumni Category:American industrial musicians Category:American alternative rock musicians Category:American film score composers Category:American video game composers Category:American electronic musicians Category:American heavy metal musicians Category:People from Derby, Connecticut Category:American male film score composers Category:21st-century American male composers