Benjamin Murray; aka Arcane Synthetic
Mayfly Records continues to shine a well-deserved spotlight on its roster and those associated with it, in some form or another, in WordPress form. *cough*
This is the Big Time… writ very, very small.
Today’s interview is with New Zealand’s own, the enigmatic multipotentialite, Benjamin Murray. Better known as the time traveling reporter on the human condition, Arcane Synthetic.
It has been said that a good gimmick can travel miles. But a good gimmick with talent and brains behind it can travel the entirety of the world. The more Benjamin Murray does with this character, the more interesting it gets for the listener.
And what a treat it is.
Q: Tell us a little about yourself.
What are some of the things that have shaped you – as a person and as an artist?
What are some of the things you are most proud of?
AS: My loves and fears.
I’m most proud of getting engaged to my fiancée, Nora and in turn creating a baby boy together, Félix.
Who are some of your favorite artists?
In no particular order – Tool, David Bowie, Nine Inch Nails, Atrium Carceri, Mr. Bungle, Chelsea Wolfe, Michael Jackson, A Perfect Circle, Puscifer, Faith No More, Tomahawk, Fantômas, Killing Joke, Drab Majesty, Sisters Of Mercy, The Cure, Melvins, Meshuggah, Kammarheit, The Doors, Pink Floyd, Tom Waits, Radiohead, N E U R O S H O C K, Lost Cause Industry, Plains Desperate Symphony, Bärkər, Entropy In Motion, The Primary Phase Principle, Rojinski, Ghost Orange, Embracing Discomfort… Too many! I could list so many more…
What is your favorite book?
I’m a very slow reader so I tend to not read too many books – lately Audible’s helped change that. For the sake of this question, I’ll go with ‘Hamlet’.
Is happiness the primary gauge in Life? And if not, what is?
No. Stillness is the primary gauge in life.
When was it that you decided that music and/or sound design was a passion?
Is it a passion?
Why?
Hmm… I’ve always been surrounded by music. It’s had an enormous impact on me. However I think I realised it was and always has been a passion of mine the moment I created my first track as Arcane Synthetic, ‘Quieten’ during one of the many COVID lockdowns in 2021.
Acting was a passion I was always aware of and took immediate action on ever since I can remember anything at all. I think I didn’t feel I possessed any real musical talent until the past few years having first introduced Arcane to the world.
Can you explain the time traveling persona to those that might be unfamiliar with it?
Arcane Synthetic has been sent by his superiors to travel time and report on the human condition. He’s basically a better version of myself in my imagination.
What is it that you are trying to get across to the listeners you manage to snare?
What have been your artistic highlights?
I want them to think. Challenge their beliefs. Continually work towards bettering themselves. I most of all want them to participate as artists alongside me expressing their consciousness simultaneously through interpretations of my art.
Any single time my audience receives something, anything at all, that’s meaningful from my work.
Many claim that we do this for ourselves – but if that were truly the case, we’d all pull an Emily Dickinson.
From where have you gained the confidence to put yourself out there (musically or otherwise)?
I’m neurodivergent, queer, basically in more ways than one, “different” – not someone who naturally fits in with the regular. Like many “odd” people growing up in the 90’s I was severely bullied. I’d be lucky not to have the living shit kicked out of me more than once a week throughout the majority of my school years. That’s just the physical aspect, never mind the emotional/verbal bullying that brought it all together quite nicely…
My point is that having endured that level of abuse in my formative years really destroys one’s confidence. It started a knock on effect of codependency and everything that comes with that flavour of vulnerability. It’s been a journey of self actualisation for me. I guess the moment you begin to accept yourself for who you are then you can kind of do anything you want.
Our societies have become a sports rivalry Writ Large: My Team vs. Your Team; in politics, in theatre, and even in polite conversation. Who or what do you inevitably cheer for? Who or what do you inevitably hiss?
I cheer on kindness. I hiss cruelty.
This is a question inspired by Deb LeMotta’s interviews: If you could go back and give your younger self a piece of much needed advice, what would it be?
“Trust yourself”. To this day I still struggle to remember that.
Thank you for reading this peek behind the persona that is Arcane Synthetic. As the wise person ages, a foolish poet once wrote, the more they shrug off, “the slings and the arrows from those that must narrow our happinesses one step at a time”. Having said that, our younger selves are justified in enacting revenge on those that have harmed us. Not necessarily with violence, mind you – but through accomplishment.
Benjamin Murray has far surpassed the bullies and the tormenters of his youth. He has found his happiness, he has his muse to chase, and he creates like a motherfucker*. The bullies will have been found to have created nothing, other than blank and spiraling self-worths.
moth*er*fuck*er | ˈməT͟Hərˌfəkər | noun North American English vulgar slang 1a despicable or very unpleasant person or thing.2 ...one that is formidable, remarkable, or impressive in some way
Power to the Imagination.
