Benji Stiles

Performer | Engineer | Musician

Benji Stiles is a recent graduate of Anderson University. His primary instrument focus is electric and upright bass, though he's a proficient drummer and percussionist as well. Benji works frequently with sound engineering and audio technology and was employed as a Studio Technician at Anderson University from 2022-2024. His responsibilities as a studio tech included mixing projects, managing livestream audio, running recording sessions, and tutoring students taking the Studio Technology courses. He’s the student musical director for AUthenticity, the premiere scholarship band at Anderson University, and was the technical co-director for several years. He was also the student musical director for The Audacity, another AU commercial music ensemble. Benji co-hosted a radio show at the local radio station in Clemson, South Carolina, for a few years. In the annual City of Anderson Soiree festival, he has performed on drums, electric bass, and worked as a live sound engineer for multiple performances. Benji has also been a member of the audition-only Anderson Symphony Orchestra for several seasons, along with the Anderson University Wind Ensemble, AU Jazz Combo, AU Big Band, and the AU West Percussion Ensemble. He’s performed many concerts with these ensembles, including showcases in the 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 President’s Gala at Anderson University. As a musician, Benji pulls influences from a variety of styles. Some notable influences and inspirations include Meshuggah, Mick Gordon, J Dilla, Colin Stetson, Jaco Pastorious, Julian Lage, Thundercat, Hozier, and Clown Core. He’s spent time chasing ideas grown from the styles of avant-garde performers such as Mick Gordon, Colin Stetson, and Pharoah Sanders. Because of this, he knows the world of synthesis, including modular, FM, granular, and wavetable, especially within the context of ambient soundscaping/scoring. In September of 2023, he went on a short tour with the band Further Seems Forever as a merch manager, working various concerts in the northeast along with Furnace Fest in Birmingham, Alabama. After graduating from Anderson University, Benji plans to work as a studio engineer, compose for film, and tour/perform in his spare time. He is also considering master’s programs in Theory and/or Composition. Regardless, Benji plans to continue in the music industry and is excited to continually develop his skills as a performer, engineer, and composer.