Ken Brahmstedt co-founder/composer at music and sound company Brahmstedt White Noise (BWN) steps up to answer Five Questions.
1. What are you working on today?
Music and sound for 7 holiday spots for Best Buy, rhythmic choreograph-able sound design for a Burger King commercial tie in with "Dance Dance Revolution" (the arcade dance game), music licensing for 3 Payless spots, 1 viral piece I can't talk about right now but it involves a creepy guy singing a love song, arranging for and recording a children's choir that will work with a PSA for Children's Defense Fund, a revival of a old jingle in contemporary style for Shop N' Save (a grocery store in the South), music for a holiday pizza spot for Donatos pizza, and recording and mixing for some updates on Tractor Supply and The New York Stock Exchange. Its been pretty busy here.
2. What have you found is the best tool or innovation that has come out in the last year?
iweb by Apple. I use it constantly to build presentations and
customize our delivery on a web page. Power to the people!

3. The project (film, television, commercial or music video) that most impressed you in the last year? Why?
I really dug a performance of a cellist and a man playing a sample playback machine a few weeks ago because it made me aware of the fact that it is possible to use our technologies in a truly interactive way and not just in the same pre-produced way we're all accustomed to. I love discovering other ways to use our tools. We are craftspeople after all, and spend an enormous amount of time locked away. Its good to get out. Especially when you make music.

4. The best or favorite project that you worked on in the past year? And why?
Best Buy's "Powder" fake theatrical trailer. This was our second fake
trailer for them, and last time I couldn't go to the final mix in Hollywood. This time, we not only created all of the original music and sound content to deliver to the dub stage, we also put it all into surround. The opening music is in surround, and the whole experience was built in surround. We received big kudos from Eric Martell (a full-time trailer mixer) at Todd AO for how well everything translated to the dub stage, AND I got to go to the mix!

5. Name the top 4 artists on your iPod?
Balkan Beat Box
Niko Case "Fox Confessor Brings the Flood"
"NME Presents: The Best Bew Bands from the Reading and Leeds Festivals 2006"

Digg Nation (a podcast by 2 beer-drinking techies who run down the top hits on digg.com). I love podcasts. I'm truly a geek.

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Recent News
BWN and Gasket Studios Unveil New Home In Downtown Minneapolis

Former sister companies BWN and GASKET STUDIOS have taken their respective entities to the next level, establishing an innovative new 5,000 square foot environment with a fluid floor plan that emphasizes collaboration and creativity. As clients enter the space, their ultimate destination is designated by color scheme, with a shared lounge, lobby and kitchen as the hub of both companies. Sweeping views of the Western skyline are just one of the signature elements that make the new location prized by staff and visitors alike.

“The development of this shared space came out of a combination of opportunity and a sense of community,” explains BWN Co-Founder/Composer Ken Brahmstedt. “We enjoyed working in close proximity while under the HI-WIRE banner so we decided to keep that intact. We have the best of both worlds ‘ independent businesses with connected space ‘ in the heart of downtown.”

“We immediately feel for the vibe here and appreciate being close to our advertising clients like Carmichael Lynch, Fallon, Martin Williams, BBDO and Campbell Mithun,” adds GASKET STUDIOS Founder/Creative Director Greg Shultz. “Our building is connected to the Skyway system – we call it the habitrail – which is handy in the February deep freeze. The new light rail system is also right outside our building, which is great for out-of-town clients because it connects directly to the Minneapolis airport. But most important is the feeling of collaboration that this design exudes. It’s very unique and we love it.”

GASKET STUDIOS is a design, visual effects and animation company that serves the commercial, interactive, music video and feature film markets. Launched by digital artist Greg Shultz GASKET STUDIOS is comprised of a diverse group of artisans with talents ranging from cel animation to painting to video game design. In signature automotive grey, GASKET STUDIOS’ new space includes suites where creativity and technology align to help bring clients’ visions to life.

Music and sound company Brahmstedt White Noise formed in 2002 by Carl White and Ken Brahmstedt. BWN has since grown to become a premiere music, sound, and audio house in Minneapolis, with a growing presence in Los Angeles. Its primary mission has always been to provide music and sound design services for advertisers and broadcasters, as well as filmmakers and corporate clients. BWN is part of a creative collective The Noises, which combines the talent of BWN with that of Richmond music company ShockoeNoise.

Awash in shades of purple and maroon, The BWN area includes three fully stocked studios – Suite A boasts a myriad of instruments, a large projection screen, surround sound and doubles as a large recording room for making music and organic sound effects, while Suites B and C can tap into it for traditional live room recording via remote camera technology. A suite glows from the large hi-def video projection and suites B and C are bathed in sunlight from large windows that offer sweeping views of downtown. BWN also includes a producer office and a very large recording booth situated between the B and C suites.

www.bwnoise.com