The Optimist is Steven Benken. I reside in Southern California. I am an electronic musician who is dedicated to producing, mixing, remixing, promoting, and loving music. I am one of the primary artists with Army of Techno Recordings. Army of Techno was formed in Ann Arbor Michigan when I met Productive Citizen while we were attending the University of Michigan. Our mutual love and respect for experimental, punk, heavy, dark, techy, acidic, and original sounds quickly brought us together to form AOT. www.armyoftechno.com Striving to use the underground as a medium for kritikal thougt; The Army of Techno is proactively pushing to make positive changes within the music industry and in the global paradigms that form our nations political agendas. I, The Optimist, embrace a wide range of sounds in my dj sets and original music. At times, my music is light, at times, dark. Sometimes fast, sometimes slow.....but usually dancable and coherent. I look forward to your feedback. Lets chat... Steve The Optimist Benken www.armyoftechno.com bookings@armyoftechno.com www.ARMYOFTECHNO.com
The Optimist Creed:
Promise Yourself-
To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
city
All over OC and LA
state/country
CA, US
time
? - present
highschool
Los Alamitos HS '95
college
University Of Michigan '99
Didnt really concentrate much
employer
Army of Techno Recordings
position
Producer/DJ/Promoter
description
www.armyoftechno.com
time
? - present
music
Oh boy...here we go.....uh, minimal, detroit, techno, electro, chicago, house, dnb, experimental, rap, hip hop, KRAFTWERK, industrial/ebm, sonic minds, black nation, mechanisms industries, cetron, echoplex, fanon flowers, jay denham, rob hood, archetype, octave one, pacou, g-man, k-hand, kenny larkin, claude young, dj bone, james brown, george clinton, mike grant, derrik may, rolando, drexcyia, suburban knight, jeff mills, the chancellor, blake baxter, LAURENT!, orlando voorn, jacek s, kevin saunderson, sven vath, richie hawtin, villalobos, tejada, robin porter, matthew dear, osborne, peter grummich, luciano, jeff samuel, mike ink, jay haze, decibel aka BIG BULLY, fabrice lig, t.raumschmiere, francois k, DAN MOTHAFUCKIN BELL / DBX, luomo, mathew jonson, herbert, thomas fehlmann, thomas brinkman, the advent, technasia, joris voorn, christian wunsch, surgeon, BEN SIMS, CHRIS FINKE, regis, dj rush, BELTRAM, speedy j, chris liebing, luke slater, dj funk, robert armani, abe duque, dj hyperactive, dj bam bam, dancemania, dj deeon, dj gemini, paul johnson, traxxmen, derrick carter, marshall jefferson, terry francis, dj sneak, j. dahlback, tobias von hofsten, john cage, steve reich, tangerine dream, darkmatter, monotek, baseck, vangelis, COIL, USER, adam beyer, cari lekebusch, christian smith, drumcode, green velvet / cajmere, relief, tresor, basic channel, maurizio, frankie bones, adam x, heather heart, dietrich s., tony rohr, sonic groove, tang, jasper, NIN, sheep on drugs, The AOT Crew!
artists
Everybody who creates art
movies
I like movies
tv shows
I hate the tv......there are some good shows though.
actors
The bad ones are overpaid, and the good ones are unknown.
TV Show
Check out our online TV show - AOTV at www.armyoftechno.com
High school
Los Al
Movie
Big Labowski, Eternal Sunshine..., Usual Suspects, Pi, Magnolia, The Royal Tennenbaums, Best in Show, Waiting for Guffman, Bottlerocket, The Life Aquatic.....they go on and on but you get the idea
Occupation
Electronic Musician
Email
bookings@armyoftechno.com
Languages
un poco espanol
Looking for...
Other Musicians
Sport/Activity
Besides Techno, I try to liftweights and jog, Golf and Tennis now and again
Book
philosophy
Destination
Anywhere I can play music
Hidden talent
wont tell you that
Relationship status
In Love with Jeanette Sanchez
Favorite quote
What was just said......
Hobby
Mortgage Broker
Website
WWW.ARMYOFTECHNO.COM
Favorite Live Electronic Music Set Right Now
Productive Citizen live @ Pi - www.armyoftechno.com
Band Members
Armyoftechno.comCheck Us Out
Influences
Life
Other Artists
Those who love what they do....
