Today we’d like to introduce you to Benjamin Mangum.
Hi Benjamin, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Hi, I’m Benjamin Mangum — Founder of Dead Silence Media.
My creative journey began at age 10, running live sound at a local church in Olivia, Minnesota. Over the years, I’ve grown into a multi-disciplinary artist and engineer, blending audio, video, and design.
After high school, I moved to the Twin Cities and studied at the Institute of Production and Recording (IPR). There, I expanded into studio engineering and video production, eventually launching “Dead Silence Media” a platform where I’ve produced music and visuals for artists like Manny Rose, Sage Stone, and Dee-a-Tee.
In 2023, I partnered with Water Wave TV as their lead recording engineer, videographer, and photographer, collaborating with artists such as Kelvino, Jake Giller, Jovonta Patton, and more.
Currently, I serve as Lead Sound Engineer at The Wave Church and occasionally step in as A/V Production Manager at the Red Light House.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The Journey Hasn’t Been Easy
Back in 2019, I planned to study Law Enforcement at Northland College—but a sports injury and an unexpected music collaboration changed my path. After losing a loved one and stepping away from college, I found myself stuck during the pandemic—unemployed, with limited housing options, and uncertain about the future.
Despite the challenges, I stayed committed to music. I poured everything I had into upgrading my gear and attending events. For a long time, I wasn’t even charging for my work—I just knew I needed to build experience.
Post-COVID, I focused on refining my craft, building a strong portfolio, and finding a role in the industry that could support my vision. That hard work eventually paid off, and I’m grateful to now be doing what I love.
It’s only been six years, but it feels like a lifetime of lessons, growth, and relentless effort.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
What I Do
Every week looks different for me. Recently, I’ve been producing a show named The Red Light Special for a venue called The Red Light House. I also create content for Water Wave TV, including the Drown The Mic videos, The Water Wave Effect podcast, interviews, social media posts, and assist in operating their music studio.
People recognize me for different things—some know me as a DJ, others as a videographer, audio engineer, photographer, or artist manager. The truth is, I wear a lot of hats. From designing cover art to running live sound, I’ve built a career around being adaptable and creative.
What I’m Most Proud Of
What makes me proud isn’t just the work I’ve done—it’s how far I’ve come. I started doing live sound at age 10 in a church, and now, 14 years later, I do it professionally. I’ve grown a lot, and I still have so much more to learn.
What Sets Me Apart
I won’t claim to be the best at anything—but my drive and range of skills speak for themselves. Not many people can record a podcast, create an instrumental, engineer a session, engineer a live event, and do a photo shoot—all in one day. That’s the kind of creative I am.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
If you’re interested in working with me or wanting to collaborate you can find me on social media or my website. I typically do bookings through the businesses I work with, but am always open to freelance work.
If you have never heard about or stepped foot into Water Wave TV or The Red Light House please check out their locations as I believe they bring some of the best Minnesota has to offer.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.deadsilencemedia.com
- Instagram: ben.from.dsm
