Ben Walker
1) Tell us a little bit about yourself, your story and where you come from.
Well, I'm Ben. As I'm sure has been stated. I live in Texas, specifically a town about two hours south of Dallas called Tyler. It isn't a big place. But I could never live in a large city to begin with so I like it here for the most part. I'm fifteen years old, and I have quite a passion for music.
Two years ago I was given what I know see as a stupid children's game for my birthday. I used it a bit, the main fundamentals of its basis got old quick, but then I noticed something. The game had a "music sequencer." I know this story isn't very amusing yet but it gets better, hang in there. So I start using this Music Sequencer. It has about thirty or so instruments and is incredibly lacking in power and quality. But I didn't really have much else to do with my time other than school, so I started doodling with it. A year later I had about 300 supporters for some really bad sounding music. Fundamentally it was alright, but the quality of the sounds I was using is laughable. So one day, the community director of the entire game community says he likes my music, and creates an update in the entire game's news system so every single person who logged on saw a link to my music gallery. I was kind of excited but didn't expect much. However today I have over 1,000 followers in that video game for my music. It may not sound like much, but consider its size to, say, the YouTube community. The ratio would land me easily with about 8,000 subscribers in YouTube. (It's a pretty small community.) If it wasn't for them I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing now: producing electronic dance music. I found I was alright with it and now I own a program called Ableton Live and I'm collaborating with the friends and colleagues I made in that game in the real world and soon will be playing my music live at a friend's birthday rave she asked me to DJ for. Case in point, who said video games couldn't gain you anything? I went from a motionless teenager to a guy who knows artists with 50,000 supporters or more and I have more connections than I could dream of. My life has opened up in more ways than I can count. All from a freaking video game. It sounds like a pipe dream but it's my life so far. Heheh.
I'm also planning to graduate highschool a year early so I can go to Japan on a YWAM mission on my gap year. I'm very excited to see what God has in store for me, both in my music and my travel.
2) What are three things on your bucket list?
Ahh, only three? Well I've already ordered a Starbucks coffee by the name of Voltron, let's see what else... I really would like to go wingsuiting. Ever since I saw that video "Grinding the Gap" I knew it was something I wanted to do. I'm naturally the kind of guy who wants to do stuff but then am way too scared to actually go through with it. I may never get around to that, but if I have a terminal illness be sure to remind me. I'd need a kick to the bum like that.
Secondly, I'd like to travel to Iceland. That place just blows my mind. I originally wanted to go there for my YWAM mission but after my brother Sam returned from South Korea, Asia just caught my attention in a big way. I hope I'll get the chance to go to Iceland one day, but until then Japan will satisfy me I hope. Third, I'd like to dump ice on Skrillex's head during a show. Not even joking.
3) How can we, as young people, inspire others and uplift them?
I'd say to just be yourself. People follow role
models, and the most unique you are, the more inspirational you'll
become. Be a positive thinker, and share your positive thoughts. After a
while it can start to make a difference.
4) If you could play a part in any movie already made, what role would you choose?
Back to the Future. As Marty McFly, obviously. Because that'd be the best thing ever.
5) Share some advice that has positively impacted your life. Who gave it to you?
To never stop doing what you love. Actually a friend
from Holland told me this, if it weren't for him I wouldn't have kept
making music and have ended up producing any music. He told me to just
keep going. Regardless of what others may tell me. To just keep going.
Even if I didn't get any recognition for my work that eventually I
would. And hey, I did. He and I are still close friends to this day, and
I owe my musical existence to him. But that advice clearly applies to
anything you love doing. Just keep at it. If you're truly talented,
people will notice it... Eventually.
6) What are you currently reading/watching/listening to?
I know it may sound ridiculous, but deadmau5 and a lot of chill jazzy music like this song by Chubbanak Club.
As far as reading goes, school just started so plenty of those books. Hah, I'm in this class called Omnibus which is pretty much a combination of classical History, Philosophy, and Literature all rolled into one. So over the course of the semester I'll probably be consumed by that reading. So that means plenty of Greek writings, early literature and poetics, fun things like that. But over the summer on my own time, I've been reading and re-reading C.S Lewis. His writings on the Psalms, A Grief Observed, etc. He was a very powerful writer, and I thoroughly enjoy his work even after I've read it once or twice already.
Why must you ask this question?! It's so hard to answer. I guess what's really been impacting me lately is how valuable time is and how I've wasted too much of it already. People, especially teenagers, often forget how real the concept of time is, in-erasable and constantly continuing. It's hard to grasp until you think how quickly it actually goes by and how we need to use it to the fullest we possibly can. If you'd want me to tell them one thing as a general line for life in general I'd have to say that. Take advantage of your time. If you use it well, you can make your life incredible and find meaning in every single day.
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