{{short description|Australian musician}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}} {{Use Australian English|date=August 2015}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Benjamin Speed | image = | alias = Mister Speed, Mister Benjamin Speed, Mr Tappin' Fresh | birth_name = Benjamin Peter Speed | birth_date = | birth_place = [[Adelaide]], [[South Australia]], Australia | instrument = Guitar, bass, vocals | genre = [[Film score|Film music]], [[trip hop]], [[Indie pop]], [[Hip hop music|hip hop]], [[lo-fi music|lo-fi]], [[electronica]], [[Alternative rock|alternative]], [[Experimental music|experimental]] | occupation = [[Film composer]], songwriter, record producer | years_active = 2000–present | label = [[Creative Vibes]], Groovescooter, ABC | associated_acts = The New Pollutants | website = {{URL|http://www.benjaminspeed.com/}} }}
'''Benjamin Peter Speed''' is an Australian musician, producer, and composer. He previously performed and recorded as '''Mister Speed''', '''Mr Speed''', and more recently as '''Mister Benjamin Speed'''. He was vocalist and songwriter in the Australian [[Alternative rock|alternative]], [[electronica|electronic]], and [[Hip hop music|hip hop]] duo The New Pollutants, along with producer and musician DJ Tr!p. They performed live at many festivals and as support acts, and also released music. They were best known for their ''[[Metropolis Rescore]]'', a new soundtrack to [[Fritz Lang]]'s famous silent film ''[[Metropolis (1927 film)|Metropolis]]''. Speed has composed many other [[film scores|scores for film]] and television, for which he has won awards.
==Early life and education== Benjamin Peter Speed<ref name=triplej2014/> was born in [[Adelaide]], [[South Australia]].<ref name=armour2002/><ref name=ranker>{{cite web | title=Famous Film Score Composers from Australia | website=Ranker | date=14 December 2013 | url=https://www.ranker.com/list/famous-film-score-composers-from-australia/reference | access-date=11 February 2025}}</ref> He says that he was "named by [his] brother and sister after [[Beatrix Potter]]'s books ''[[The Tale of Benjamin Bunny]]'' and ''[[The Tale of Peter Rabbit]]''.<ref name=triplej2014>{{cite web | title=Mister Benjamin Speed | website=ABC | date=11 August 2014 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplejunearthed/artist/mister-benjamin-speed/ | access-date=11 December 2023}}</ref>
His parents were separated when he was a child. Living with his mother, he grew up without television, meat, or junk food. He spent every second weekend at his father's house,<ref name=carclewprof>{{cite web | title=Artists Profiles: Benjamin Speed | website=[[Carclew (youth arts centre)]] | url=http://www.carclew.on.net/carclew/apps/profiles/artist_profile.php?PBID=15 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050628184240/http://www.carclew.on.net/carclew/apps/profiles/artist_profile.php?PBID=15 | archive-date=28 June 2005 | url-status=dead | access-date=12 February 2025}}</ref> and he enjoyed listening to his father's music, which included [[Michael Jackson]]'s ''[[Thriller (album)|Thriller]]'' and [[Dire Straits]]' ''[[Brothers in Arms (album)|Brothers in Arms]]''. He learnt to play [[classical guitar]] at school, playing in the school orchestra and then the high school band, which played [[grunge music]], including covers of [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]] songs, as well as other rock classics. Late in high school he started making electronic music, inspired by [[Crossover music|crossover]] hip hop bands, such as [[Rage Against the Machine]], [[Beastie Boys]], and later [[DJ Shadow]].<ref name=armour2002/>
Speed attended university to study music.<ref name=void2016>{{cite interview| first= Benjamin| last=Speed | title=So You Want To Be A Composer? Meet Benjamin Speed | website=The Void with Christina | date=17 January 2016 | url=https://thevoid333.com/2016/01/17/so-you-want-to-compose-music-for-the-movies-meet-benjamin-speed/ | access-date=11 December 2023}}</ref> He graduated with a music technology honours degree<ref name=ranker/> from the [[Elder Conservatorium]] (part of the [[University of Adelaide]]) in 2004. He moved to Sydney in 2006, where he attended the [[Australian Film, Television and Radio School]] (AFTRS), graduating with a Graduate Diploma: Film and Television – [[screen composition|Screen Composition]] in 2008.<ref name=ayaan2021>{{cite web | title=AFTRS Alum Alies Sluiter's 'Ayaan' Sweeps the South Australian Screen Awards | website=[[Australian Film, Television and Radio School]] | date=12 January 2021 | url=https://www.aftrs.edu.au/news/2021/aftrs-alum-alies-sluiters-ayaan-sweeps-the-south-australian-screen-awards/ | access-date=12 February 2025| quote=Also recognised at this year’s awards was alum Benjamin Speed (Graduate Diploma: Film and Television – Screen Composition, 2008), who together with Leigh Marsh received the award for Best Music Composition for their work on Zane Roach’s 37 Things.}}</ref><ref name=stuntlove2011>{{cite web| url=https://www.abc.net.au/tv/stuntlove/files/stunt-love-press-kit.pdf| title=Stunt Love [Press kit]| publisher= [[Closer Productions]]| date=2011| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125185236/http://www.abc.net.au/tv/stuntlove/files/stunt-love-press-kit.pdf| archive-date= 25 Jan 2021| url-status=live}}</ref>
== The New Pollutants == {{split| The New Pollutants|date=February 2025}} Speed formed The New Pollutants in 2001 with Australian musician Tyson Hopprich (DJ Tr!p).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Metropolis Rescore, by The New Pollutants |url=https://thenewpollutants.bandcamp.com/album/metropolis-rescore |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=The New Pollutants |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Metropolis with live score by The New Pollutants at Fed Square | website=[[ACMI (museum)|ACMI]] | date=7 March 2021 | url=https://www.acmi.net.au/whats-on/not-so-silent-outdoor-cinema/metropolis-fritz-lang-live-score-new-pollutants-fed-square/ | access-date=10 February 2025|quote=Join us outside on Fed Square for a free sunset screening of Fritz Lang's Metropolis with a live score by The New Pollutants... This influential sci-fi classic features the acclaimed live re-score by The New Pollutants.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Noise Festival on the abc | website=[[Australian Broadcasting Commission]] | date=28 December 2002 | url=http://abc.net.au/noise/profiles/s388512.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030310192219/http://abc.net.au/noise/profiles/s388512.htm | archive-date=10 March 2003 | url-status=dead | access-date=10 February 2025 }}</ref> "DJ Trip", according to Hopprich, "arrived in about year 10". By 2002 he had released several tracks, including "Vinyl Perplexa", "Recyclise", "Recyclise Reinterpreted", and an EP, ''Rock the beat'' (EP). In 2002 he was DJ'ing on Wednesday and Thursday nights at the [[Crown & Anchor, Adelaide|Crown & Anchor Hotel]].<ref name=armour2002>{{cite interview | title= The New Pollutants: Interview with DJ Tr!p and Mr Speed by Paul Armour| interviewer-first= Paul | interviewer-last= Armour| first1= Tyson |last1= Hopprich| first2= Benjamin| last2=Speed| url=https://www.cyclicdefrost.com/pdfs-dl/cyclic_issue_2.pdf | access-date=11 February 2025| publisher=[[Cyclic Defrost]]| issue =2| date=2002}}</ref>
Their sound traversed through a number of different genres, including [[lo-fi music|lo-fi]], [[trip hop]], [[electro music|electro]], [[Commodore 64 music]], 1950s and 1960s pop, comedy, [[alternative hip hop]], and [[electronica]].<ref name=aff>{{Cite web |url=http://2005.adelaidefilmfestival.org/films/metropolis.html |title=Metropolis @ Adelaide Film Festival |access-date=10 January 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060821064748/http://2005.adelaidefilmfestival.org/films/metropolis.html |archive-date=21 August 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Rachel Paterson wrote in ''[[RealTime Arts]]'' in 2003: "The New Pollutants are intellectual hip-hop with an experimental edge. These guys have their own sound, it's global and it's local and it has evolved from who these artists are... The live experience integrates visual experiments with original sound and a theatrical, interactive edge".<ref name=paterson2003>{{cite journal| journal=[[RealTime Arts]] | issue =57 |title=The New Pollutants |date=Oct–Nov 2003 |page= 33 | url=https://www.realtimearts.net/article/issue57/7240 | access-date=12 February 2025}}</ref>
===''Hygene Atoms''=== The New Pollutants released ''[[Hygene Atoms]]'' in 2002. The duo were compared to [[Buck 65]], [[Tricky (rapper)|Tricky]], and [[DJ Shadow]] after the release of ''Hygene Atoms''.<ref name=armour2002/>
==="Sid-Hop" and ''Urban Professional Nightmares''=== In July 2003 the New Pollutants released the [[7" single]] "Sid-Hop".<ref name=mpdiscog>{{cite web| url=http://www.benjaminspeed.com/index| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306112521/http://www.benjaminspeed.com/index| title= Discography: The New Pollutants| archive-date=6 March 2016| website= Benjamin Speed}}</ref>
Using tracks recorded between 2002 and 2004, in July 2004 they released ''Urban Professional Nightmares'' as a [[Twelve-inch single]].<ref name=mpdiscog/> They released the EP at the Minke Bar in Adelaide.<ref name=paterson2003/> It included four tracks from ''Hygene atoms'' on one side, and five new tracks on the other (which were released as a digital download in April 2004).<ref>{{cite web| url=https://misterspeed.bandcamp.com/album/urban-professional-nightmares| title=Urban Professional Nightmares |date= 1 April 2004| website= [[Bandcamp]]}}</ref> The music was created using [[Lo-fi music|lo-fi]] technology, including a [[MOS Technology 6581|Commodore 64 SID chip]].<ref name=paterson2003/>
=== ''Metropolis Rescore'' === In 2005 The New Pollutants composed and produced ''[[Metropolis Rescore]]'', a new soundtrack to [[Fritz Lang]]'s famous silent film ''[[Metropolis (1927 film)|Metropolis]]'', which they premiered live at the [[2005 Adelaide Film Festival]]<ref name=aff2005>{{Cite web |title=AFF Metropolis Rescore |url=http://2005.adelaidefilmfestival.org/films/metropolis.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060821064748/http://2005.adelaidefilmfestival.org/films/metropolis.html |archive-date=21 August 2006 |access-date=10 January 2007}}</ref> and other music and film festivals,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2007-09-05 |title=metropolis |url=http://www.acmi.net.au/372BE465554C44DC942587E6EF47D3F4.aspx |access-date=2023-02-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070905082549/http://www.acmi.net.au/372BE465554C44DC942587E6EF47D3F4.aspx |archive-date=5 September 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2007-09-09 |title=Revelation Film Festival 2007 : Metropolis |url=https://www.revelationfilmfest.org/index.cfm?objectid=27501665-65BF-EBC1-2C6F89F29C24D6CF&navid=D9761779-C09F-1F3C-C809B0FDEF313ED9 |access-date=2023-02-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070909183143/https://www.revelationfilmfest.org/index.cfm?objectid=27501665-65BF-EBC1-2C6F89F29C24D6CF&navid=D9761779-C09F-1F3C-C809B0FDEF313ED9 |archive-date=9 September 2007 }}</ref> including the 2006 [[Edinburgh International Film Festival]]. [[Australian Centre for the Moving Image|ACMI]] described the soundtrack as "an infectious and unique approach ranging from Germanic trip hop and lo-fi electronica to unforgettable classical and breathtaking cinematica".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Metropolis Rescore @ ACMI |url=http://www.acmi.net.au/372BE465554C44DC942587E6EF47D3F4.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070905082549/http://www.acmi.net.au/372BE465554C44DC942587E6EF47D3F4.aspx |archive-date=5 September 2007 |access-date=13 January 2008}}</ref>
In 2011, a newly updated score was composed to the 2010 restoration version, which has an extra 30 minutes of footage originally thought lost.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Metropolis Rescore @ 2011 AFF |url=http://tix.adelaidefilmfestival.org/session3.asp?sn=Metropolis%2C+Live+Score+by+the+New+Pollutants |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724223947/http://tix.adelaidefilmfestival.org/session3.asp?sn=Metropolis,+Live+Score+by+the+New+Pollutants |archive-date=24 July 2011 |access-date=20 February 2011}}</ref>
On 7 March 2021, the film was screened with The New Pollutants performing their re-score live at [[Federation Square]] in [[Melbourne]],<ref name=acmi2021>{{cite web | title=Metropolis with live score by The New Pollutants at Fed Square | website=[[ACMI (museum)|ACMI]] | date=7 March 2021 | url=https://www.acmi.net.au/whats-on/not-so-silent-outdoor-cinema/metropolis-fritz-lang-live-score-new-pollutants-fed-square/ | access-date=10 February 2025|quote=Join us outside on Fed Square for a free sunset screening of Fritz Lang's Metropolis with a live score by The New Pollutants... This influential sci-fi classic features the acclaimed live re-score by The New Pollutants... Musical duo Benjamin Speed and Tyson Hopprich are accompanied by vocalist Astrid Pill and cellist Zoe Barry to present their much-lauded score blending Germanic trip hop, lo-fi electronica and classical music. }}</ref><ref name=fb2021>{{cite web | author=The New Pollutants | title=Tonight in Melbourne! | website=Facebook| date= 7 March 2021 | url=https://www.facebook.com/thenewpollutants/posts/pfbid02jK8f5PwPWF4CuAXfvodkaVj3c5EDYANJDzLau4KAAPL89PQv71aaTTfMoykRXZRyl | access-date=11 February 2025}}</ref> presented by Insite Arts.<ref>{{cite web | title=Silent Cinema with Live Scores | website=Insite Arts | url=https://www.insitearts.com.au/projects/silent-cinema | access-date=11 February 2025}}</ref>
===Live performances=== In September 2001, The New Pollutants played Electrofringe: Independent Electronic Labels Conference 2001 in [[Newcastle, New South Wales|Newcastle]], playing alongside Anticon, [[Mad Professor]], and others. In the following month, they supported Anticon on part of their Australian tour.<ref name=carclewprof/>
The New Pollutants' favourite live venues in 2002 were Mojo West, Skylab at Minke, the Rhino Room, and the [[Crown and Sceptre Hotel]] in [[Adelaide city centre]].<ref name=armour2002/> In 2003, they played at the [[University of Adelaide]] O'Ball.<ref name=bio/>
The New Pollutants were headliners of the 2004 [[Adelaide Fringe Festival]] opening concert.<ref name=aff/><ref name=bio/> They also played at Australian music festivals, including in the [[Boiler Room (Big Day Out)|Boiler Room]] at [[Big Day Out]] in 2003, along with [[Kraftwerk]] and others and the [[Falls Festival]] (2004 New Year's Eve). Overseas they played at the TINA Festival (2001 and 2002); Anticon, and Scalene (2002).<ref name=bio/>
They played a show called ''2002AD'' at the 2002 [[Adelaide Fringe]]. Also in 2002, the band played as [[support act]] for DJ Dexter ([[The Avalanches]]), and in 2003, played in [[Sydney]] at [[The Herd (Australian band)|The Herd]]'s album launch as well as supporting UK act [[The Herbaliser]]. They played support for [[Buck 65]] in 2004, and for Japanese DJ [[DJ Krush]], Canadian DJ [[Kid Koala]], Australian hip hop group [[Combat Wombat]], and American rapper [[Kool Keith]] in 2005.<ref name=bio>{{Cite web |url=http://www.3reasons.com.au/public/metropolis/tnp_bio/The%20New%20Pollutants%20Bio%20010905.pdf |title=The New Pollutants Biography 2005|access-date=13 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081003044416/http://www.3reasons.com.au/public/metropolis/tnp_bio/The%20New%20Pollutants%20Bio%20010905.pdf |archive-date=3 October 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
===Recognition and awards=== <!---note: when a new article is created for The New Pollutants, some of these awards can be added to the general list for Speed below---> Sydney's ''[[3D World (Australia)|3D World]]'' magazine named their single "CD release of the week" for September 2002. Their tracks were included in albums on labels such as Surgery Records, ABC, LaTrobe, and Semikazi.<ref name=bio/>
They won the ''[[DB Magazine]]'' Reader Award for Most Popular Dance Act in 2003, and DJ Tr!p won Most Popular DJ in 2003 and 2004.<ref name=bio/>
In 2004, The New Pollutants won the Most Popular Electronic / Dance Act award at the [[South Australian Music Industry Awards]] (SAMI or SAMIA).<ref name=bio/><ref>{{cite web | last=Sadler | first=Denham | title=The Beards, Lady Strangelove Win At New South Australian Music Awards | website=Tone Deaf | date=2 November 2012 | url=https://tonedeaf.thebrag.com/fowlers-live-music-awards-winners-announced/ | access-date=11 February 2025|quote=The awards follow in the footsteps of the South Australian Music Industry Awards (SAMIA) which concluded seven years ago.}}</ref>
They were a Top 15 finalist in the [[Ninja Tune]]/[[Big Dada]]/UKHH.com remix competition, with more than 300 entries from around the world.<ref name=carclewprof/>
They gained national airplay on [[Triple J|JJJ]] as well as local stations [[2SER]] (Sydney), [[4ZZZ]] ([[Brisbane]]), [[3RRR]] (Melbourne), [[Three D Radio]] (Adelaide), [[RTRFM|RTR]] ([[Perth]]). They earned number 1 spot on Three D's "Top 20 + 1" in June 2003, for "Sid-Hop".<ref name=bio/>
===Winding up=== The New Pollutants did not release any more music or perform live beyond their re-score of ''Metropolis'', but did perform together live once more, at an open-air screening of the film in March 2021 in [[Melbourne]],<ref name=acmi2021/><ref name=fb2021/>
In 2016 Speed said that although touring and performing live was a lot of fun, but he could not do it for the rest of his life as there was so much physical effort involved, and he would be exhausted and often injured after each performance. The ''Metropolis'' re-score was Speed's first attempt at composing music rather than songwriting.<ref name=void2016/>
== Solo career== His first name as an artist was Mr Tappin' Fresh (the Hip Hop Antihero), and under this name he released an EP, ''Music for Mass Consumption''.<ref name=armour2002/><ref name=carclewprof/> He also used the name The Other Half.<ref name=carclewprof/>
=== Mister (Benjamin) Speed === After adopting the stage name of Mr Speed (the Veritable Half-Breed<ref name=carclewprof/>), he released an album called ''Mr Speed Presents: The Other Half Of Humanity''<ref name=armour2002/> on 1 October 2001.<ref>{{cite web | title=The Other Half Of Humanity, by Mister Speed | website=Mister Benjamin Speed | url=https://misterspeed.bandcamp.com/album/the-other-half-of-humanity | access-date=11 February 2025}}</ref><ref name=allmusic>{{cite web | title=Mr. Speed: Bio| first=Jody |last=Macgregor | website=AllMusic | url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/mr-speed-mn0002081609#biography | access-date=11 February 2025}}</ref>
During his time as part of The New Pollutants, Speed also released some songs on his [[Myspace]] page, described as following "a skewed and slightly surreal geeky hip-hop aesthetic". These songs were noticed by Australian independent record label [[Creative Vibes]], leading to a record deal for a solo album.<ref name=allmusic/><ref name=downton2007/> In 2007, Speed released his debut solo album ''The Dreamer'', as Mr Speed, which was critically acclaimed.<ref name=stuntlove2011/> ''[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]'' described it thus:"The opening sounds like a scene from ''The Godfather''; it closes with a hybrid of hip-hop rock. In between there are snippets of 1950s French soundtracks, moody trip-hop and multiple samples. The vocals sway between [[Beck]] and Buck 65, moving from the philosophy of art to observations of love".<ref>{{cite web | last=Sasson | first=Chloe | title=The Dreamer | website=The Sydney Morning Herald | date=8 March 2007 | url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/the-dreamer-20070309-gdpmm3.html | access-date=11 December 2023}}</ref> Chris Downton noted in ''[[Cyclic Defrost]]'': ''The Dreamer'' appears primed to take his compositions and productions to a new audience considerably broader than those previously familiar with his work as one half of The New Pollutants. Particular apparent upon even an initial listen is the diversity of musical touchstones and influences that have gone into its creation, with everything from Central European folk instrumentation ("You Should Be Dancing") to 1950s-styled rock n' roll ("Ready For Action") / [[skiffle]] and jazz-tinged dub ("Can't Get Home") rearing its head over the album's fourteen track running length". The style is more eclectic than Speed's previous work with The New Pollutants, and Speed described the album as "1950s laptop hip-pop". He also said that he had "wanted to emphasise the idea of 'oneness' and I particularly wanted to be both musically and lyrically more positive" [than in The New Pollutants' music].<ref name=downton2007/>
In 2014, as Mister Benjamin Speed, three tracks were featured on [[Triple J Unearthed]]: "Hello goodbye"; "Shhh... You had me at death"; and "Ballad of the last used man". They wrote that he sounds like American producer and musician [[Meco]].<ref name=triplej2014/>
=== Film and TV=== Speed's first film score was written and performed as part of The New Pollutants, the March 2005 ''Metropolis Rescore'' for the [[Adelaide Film Festival]].<ref name=aff2005/> Also in 2005, Speed began composing other [[film score]]s and collaborated with [[The People's Republic of Animation]].<ref name=stk2006/> His first screen score was for the comedy TV series ''Errorism: A Comedy of Terrors'' (2005).<ref name=void2016/><ref>{{imdb title|3283732|Errorism: A Comedy of Terrors}}</ref>
Also for The People's Republic of Animation, he wrote the score for the animated short film ''Carnivore Reflux'' (2006).<ref name=stk2006>[http://2006.stkildafilmfestival.com.au/homepage 2006 St Kilda Film Festival Winners] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070703225447/http://2006.stkildafilmfestival.com.au/homepage |date=3 July 2007 }}</ref><ref name=downton2007/>
In 2008, Speed composed the score for the feature documentary film ''A Northern Town'', which won an AFI Award.<ref name=stuntlove2011/>
In 2009, he composed the music for ''[[The Cat Piano]]'', directed by [[Eddie White (director)|Eddie White]] and [[Ari Gibson]], and narrated by [[Nick Cave]], which was shortlisted for the 2010 [[Academy Awards]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=de Bruyn |first=Simon |date=2008-04-07 |title=Full Speed ahead for Nick Cave short |url=https://if.com.au/full-speed-ahead-for-nick-cave-short/ |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=IF Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=pssadm |date=2017-03-23 |title=Nick Cave Narrates Oscar-Nominated "The Cat Piano" In 2010 |url=https://www.thatericalper.com/2017/03/23/nick-cave-narrates-oscar-nominated-the-cat-piano-in-2010/ |access-date=2023-02-08 |website=That Eric Alper |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>[http://catpianofilm.com/ The Cat Piano AFF premiere]</ref> and won numerous other awards.<ref name=stuntlove2011/> In the same year, he composed the score for the short film ''[[Street Angel (2009 film)|Street Angel]]'', based on [[Street Angel (comics)|the comic of the same name]].<ref name=allmusic/><ref>{{cite web | title=Street Angel trailer | website=IF Magazine | date=25 March 2009 | url=https://if.com.au/street-angel-trailer/ | access-date=11 February 2025}}</ref>
In 2010 he won an [[APRA Awards of 2010|APRA/AGSC Award]] for his work on the series ''Itty Bitty Ditties''.<ref>[http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/apraawards/screenawards/winners.aspx 2010 APRA Screen Music Awards] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100525120316/http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/apraawards/screenawards/winners.aspx |date=25 May 2010 }}</ref>
Speed has also worked with [[Closer Productions]] on their films and television series. In 2013 he composed the music for [[Sundance Film Festival|Sundance]] and [[Berlin International Film Festival|Berlin Film Festival]] award-winning film ''[[52 Tuesdays]]'' directed by [[Sophie Hyde]],<ref>{{Citation |title=52 Tuesdays (2013) |website=IMDb |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3100636/awards/ |language=en |access-date=2023-02-08}}</ref> In 2016 he said that had been his best "pinch yourself" moment so far.<ref name=void2016/> He also composed the music for Closer's TV series ''[[The Hunting]]'', and [[Aftertaste (TV series)|''Aftertaste'']], for which he was nominated for best score at the [[12th AACTA Awards]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=AACTA Announces Nominees for 2022 Technical Craft Award Categories |url=https://www.aacta.org/our-news/media-room/aacta-announces-nominees-for-2022-technical-craft-award-categories/ |access-date=2023-02-08 |website= AACTA |language=en-AU}}</ref>
Speed composed for the feature documentaries ''The Snowman'' in 2010, which won the Australian Documentary Prize<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://sff.org.au/cms/default.asp?contentID=226 |title=Australian Documentary Prize Winner 2010 |access-date=20 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110222084832/http://sff.org.au/cms/default.asp?contentID=226 |archive-date=22 February 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and was nominated for an [[AACTA Awards|AFI Award]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Animal Kingdom leads menagerie of AFI nominations |date=2010-10-27 |website=[[The Age]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406235156/https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/movies/animal-kingdom-leads-menagerie-of-afi-nominations-20101027-173cr.html |archive-date=2016-04-06 |url-status=live |url=http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/movies/animal-kingdom-leads-menagerie-of-afi-nominations-20101027-173cr.html}}</ref><ref name=stuntlove2011/> and [[Embrace (film)|''Embrace'']] (2016).<ref>{{Citation |title=Embrace (2016) |url=https://www.filmaffinity.com/us/film233518.html |language=en |access-date=2023-02-09}}</ref>
In 2019, he worked with Leigh Marsh to compose the film score for [[Zane Roach]]'s short film ''37 Things'' (released 2020).<ref name=ayaan2021/><ref>{{cite web | title=37 Things (2020) | website=IMDb | url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9735340/fullcredits/?ref_=tt_ov_st#cast | access-date=12 February 2025}}</ref><ref name=37thingsaward>{{cite web | title='Ayaan', '37 Things', 'Ice Ball' win South Australian Screen Awards | website=IF Magazine | date=10 December 2020 | url=https://if.com.au/ayaan-37-things-ice-ball-win-south-australian-screen-awards/ | access-date=12 February 2025}}</ref>
In 2022, Speed composed and played "Monos Lithos" as the film score for the scifi thriller from ''[[Monolith (2022 film)|Monolith]]'', which one reviewer called "pitch perfect" for the film,<ref>{{cite web | last=Hurtado | first=Josh | title=SXSW 2023 Review: MONOLITH, Single Setting Sci-Fi Delivers Creeping Dread | website=[[ScreenAnarchy]] | date=16 March 2023 | url=https://screenanarchy.com/2023/03/sxsw-2023-review-monolith.html | access-date=11 Feb 2025}}</ref> and was praised by several others.<ref>{{cite web | title=Monolith (2023) ACMI + MIFF Encore 20 Oct 2023 | website=[[ACMI (museum)|ACMI]] | date=20 October 2023 | url=https://www.acmi.net.au/whats-on/acmi-miff-encore-2023/monolith/ | access-date=11 February 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Nicholson | first=Amy | title='Monolith' Review: Gloomy Australian Podcast Thriller Muffles Its Message | website=Variety | date=17 March 2023 | url=https://variety.com/2023/film/reviews/monolith-review-1235557435/ | access-date=11 February 2025}}</ref> In 2023, Speed composed the score for the film ''[[The Portable Door]]'' starring [[Christoph Waltz]] and [[Sam Neill]]. It won Feature Film Score of the Year at the 2023 [[Screen Music Awards]],<ref>{{cite web | title=2023 Screen Music Awards winners announced | website=[[APRA AMCOS]] | date=9 November 2023 | url=https://www.apraamcos.com.au/about-us/news-and-events/2023-screen-music-award-winners | access-date=11 December 2023}}</ref> in which his "Monos Lithos" from ''[[Monolith (2022 film)|Monolith]]'' was also nominated, for Best Original Song Composed for the Screen.<ref name=filmink2023>{{cite web | title=2023 Screen Music Awards nominees announced | website=FilmInk | date=4 October 2023 | url=https://www.filmink.com.au/public-notice/2023-screen-music-awards-nominees-announced/ | access-date=11 December 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Knox | first=David | title=Screen Music Awards 2023: winners | website=TV Tonight | date=10 November 2023 | url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2023/11/screen-music-awards-2023-winners.html | access-date=11 December 2023}}</ref>
He also composed the scores for ''Miss Nikki and the Tiger Girls'' (2012); ''[[In My Blood It Runs]]'' (2019);<ref name=mubi>{{cite web | title=Benjamin Speed | website=MUBI | url=https://mubi.com/en/cast/benjamin-speed | access-date=12 February 2025}}</ref> ''A Game of Three Halves'' (2020); ''[[This Is Port Adelaide]]'' (2021);<ref name=soundtrack/> ''[[Good Luck to You, Leo Grande]]'' (2022); ''Embrace Kids'' (2022);<ref name=mubi/> ''[[The Defenders (2023 film)|The Defenders]]'' (2023);<ref name=soundtrack>{{cite web | title=Benjamin Speed composer | website=Soundtrack Tracklist | date=6 April 2023 | url=https://soundtracktracklist.com/artist/benjamin-speed/ | access-date=11 December 2023}}</ref> and ''Make It Look Real'' (2024).<ref name=mubi/>
===Inspiration=== Speed said in 2014 that his dreams had often inspired his music as well as guiding his life choices. He said that he mainly composed scores, songs, and sounds to accompany visual media, but thinks of it "as making music for inspiration".<ref name=triplej2014/>
==Other activities== While living in Adelaide, Speed was working as a music teacher, for which he won a South Australian Award for Excellence in Arts Education.<ref name=downton2007>{{cite interview | title= Mister Speed interview by Chris Downton| interviewer-first= Chris | interviewer-last= Downton| first= Benjamin| last=Speed| url=https://www.cyclicdefrost.com/pdfs-dl/cyclic_issue_2.pdf | publisher=[[Cyclic Defrost]]| issue =16| date=6 March 2007| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071214110717/http://www.cyclicdefrost.com/blog/?p=1002| archive-date=14 Dec 2007}}</ref>
In Sydney, he taught [[screen composition |film composition]] at [[AFTRS]].<ref name=downton2007/>
==Personal life== Speed married Spanish film producer Blanca Lista in 2012. They met in 2011 when Speed was living in Sydney but on holiday in [[Los Angeles]]. She visited Sydney in 2012, and a few days later he flew to LA. They were married a week later by an [[Elvis impersonator]] in [[Las Vegas]], with Speed returning soon afterwards for work in Sydney. Speed was granted visa to live in the US in August 2014. {{as of|March 2021}} they were living in LA with their son, with Speed flying back to Australia regularly for work.<ref>{{cite web | last=Cernik | first=Lizzie | title=How we met: 'My sister and my dad were freaked out when I said I was getting married' | website= [[The Guardian]] | date=22 March 2021 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/mar/22/how-we-met-my-sister-and-my-dad-were-freaked-out-when-i-said-i-was-getting-married | access-date=11 December 2023}}</ref><ref name=void2016/>
== Awards and nominations ==
=== APRA Music Awards === The [[APRA Awards (Australia)|APRA Music Awards]] are sets of annual awards to celebrate excellence in contemporary music, which honour the skills of member composers, songwriters and publishers who have achieved outstanding success in sales and airplay performance. They are presented by [[APRA AMCOS]] (Australasian Performing Right Association and Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society), which commenced in 1982.<ref>{{cite web|title=History |url=http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/APRAAwards/MusicAwards/History.aspx |publisher= [[Australasian Performing Right Association]] (APRA) | [[Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society]] (AMCOS) |access-date=9 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100920230857/http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/APRAAwards/MusicAwards/History.aspx |archive-date=20 September 2010 }}</ref> The related annual Screen Music Awards were first presented in 2002 by APRA AMCOS and the [[Australian Guild of Screen Composers]] (AGSC).<ref>{{cite web|website=APRA AMCOS|url=http://apraamcos.com.au/awards/2019-awards/screen-music-awards/categories/|title=Categories|access-date=28 August 2019}}</ref>
{{Awards table}} ! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- | [[APRA Music Awards of 2009|2009]] | ''[[The Cat Piano]]'' (Benjamin Speed) | Best Music for a Short Film | {{nom}} | <ref name="SMAWin2009">{{cite web|url=http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/APRAAwards/ScreenAwards/Winners.aspx |title=Winners – Screen Music Awards |publisher=Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) |accessdate=25 April 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100325122011/http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/apraawards/screenawards/winners.aspx |archivedate=25 March 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref><br /><ref name="SMANom">{{cite web|url=http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/APRAAwards/ScreenAwards/Nominations.aspx |title=Nominations – Screen Music Awards |publisher=Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) |accessdate=25 April 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100325122006/http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/apraawards/screenawards/nominations.aspx |archivedate=25 March 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |- | rowspan="2"| [[APRA Music Awards of 2010|2010]] | ''Itty Bitty Ditties'' (Thomas Bettany, Speed) | Best Music for Children's Television | {{won}} |rowspan="2"| <ref name="SMAWin2010">{{Cite web | url = http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/APRAAwards/ScreenAwards/History/2010Winners.aspx | title = 2010 Winners - Screen Music Awards | publisher = Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | accessdate = 18 November 2010 }}</ref><br /><ref name="SMANom2010">{{Cite web | url = http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/APRAAwards/ScreenAwards/History/2010Nominees.aspx | title = 2010 Nominations - Screen Music Awards | publisher = Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | accessdate = 18 November 2010 }}</ref> |- | ''The Snowman'' (Speed) | Best Music for a Documentary | {{nom}} |- | [[APRA Music Awards of 2014|2014]] | Time Tremors – Series 1 | Best Music for Children's Television | {{nom}} | <ref name="SMA 2014">{{cite web | url = http://apraamcos.com.au/awards/2014-awards/screen-music-awards/ | title = Screen Music Awards | publisher = Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS) | Australian Guild of Screen Composers (AGSC) | year = 2014 | accessdate = 14 January 2016 | archive-date = 15 January 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160115162644/http://apraamcos.com.au/awards/2014-awards/screen-music-awards/ | url-status = dead }}</ref><br /><ref name="BMfCTNom2014">{{cite web | url = http://apraamcos.com.au/awards/2014-awards/screen-music-awards/best-music-for-childrens-television/ | title = Best Music for Children's Television | publisher = Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS) | Australian Guild of Screen Composers (AGSC) | year = 2014 | accessdate = 2 February 2016 | archive-date = 3 March 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303231831/http://apraamcos.com.au/awards/2014-awards/screen-music-awards/best-music-for-childrens-television/ | url-status = dead }}</ref> |- | rowspan="2"| [[APRA Music Awards of 2023|2023]] | ''[[The Portable Door]]'' (Speed) | Feature Film Score of the Year | {{won}} | rowspan="2"| <ref name="SMA Noms 2023">{{cite web |url=https://www.apraamcos.com.au/about-us/news-and-events/2023-screen-music-awards-nominees-revealed |title=2023 Screen Music Awards Nominees Revealed |publisher=APRA AMCOS. AGSC |date=5 October 2023 |access-date=17 November 2023 }}</ref><br /><ref name="SMA Wins 2023">{{cite web |url=https://www.apraamcos.com.au/about-us/news-and-events/2023-screen-music-award-winners |title=2023 Screen Music Awards Winners Announced |publisher=APRA AMCOS. AGSC |date=9 November 2023 |access-date=17 November 2023 }}</ref> |- | "Monos Lithos" from ''[[Monolith (2022 film)|Monolith]]'' | Best Original Song Composed for the Screen | {{nom}} |- | [[APRA Music Awards of 2025|2025]] | Eat The Invaders | Best Music for Unscripted & Reality Television Series | {{won}} | <ref name="SMA 2025">{{cite web | url = https://www.apraamcos.com.au/about-us/news-and-events/2025-screen-music-awards-winners-announced | title = Screen Music Awards 2025 Winners | publisher = Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS) | Australian Guild of Screen Composers (AGSC) | year = 2025 | accessdate = 2 November 2025 }}</ref><br /><ref name="SMA Nominees 2025">{{cite web | url = https://www.apraamcos.com.au/about/supporting-the-industry/awards/screen-music-awards-2025#_580433 | title = 2025 Screen Music Awards | publisher = Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS) | Australian Guild of Screen Composers (AGSC) | year = 2025 | accessdate = 2 November 2025 }}</ref> |- |}
===Other awards and nominations=== * ?: South Australian Award for Excellence in Arts Education<ref name=downton2007/> * 2006: Best Original Score, [[St Kilda Film Festival]], for ''Carnivore Reflux''<ref name=stk2006/><ref name=downton2007/> * 2020: Co-winner, with Leigh Marsh, Best Music Composition at the [[South Australian Screen Awards]], for ''37 Things''<ref name=37thingsaward/><ref name=ayaan2021/>
== See also == * [[List of Australian composers]] * [[List of people from Adelaide]]
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{official website|http://www.benjaminspeed.com/}} * {{IMDb name|2307111}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20071030132926/http://www.cyclicdefrost.com/blog/?p=978 Mister Speed - The Dreamer (Creative Vibes)] (review)
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Speed, Benjamin}} [[Category:APRA Award winners]] [[Category:Australian film score composers]] [[Category:Australian Film Television and Radio School alumni]] [[Category:Australian male film score composers]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Musicians from South Australia]] [[Category:Musicians from Adelaide]] [[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]