8th Wall Blog
Community Spotlight: Meet Bryan Fenchel
Bryan Fenchel is the co-founder and CEO of StarchildMusic.ai, a new dynamic medium for music listening.
Let's turn our attention to another outstanding member of our incredibly talented and wonderfully diverse 8th Wall developer community. Meet Bryan Fenchel, a seasoned developer combining his background in music and tech to create immersive experiences like Dance Party, an audio-reactive concert experience.
We hosted a Q&A with Bryan to learn more about his journey in the music space and how he’s using 8th Wall to build engaging experiences.
How were you introduced to 8th Wall?
I was introduced to 8th Wall not long after a chance meeting with Evan Carlson last holiday season. It wasn't just about the technology, but the philosophy behind it. The subsequent journey — from participating in the holiday challenge to having our project showcased — wasn’t merely an achievement, but a testament to the power of converging visions. It was here that I connected with like-minded thinkers, shaping the future one challenge at a time.
What would you say is your area of expertise?
I see the world not just as it is, but as it could be. I visualize, strategize, and then manifest. Whether it's about mobilizing resources or orchestrating a team, the goal remains the same: turn vision into reality. My forte lies in the nexus of creativity and technology. While I maneuver through AI and ML's nuances, especially in the domain of music, it's the synthesis of these realms that truly defines my craft. Don't miss StarchildMusic.ai's interactive album releases this holiday season — an evolving experience that will redefine how we engage with the music we love.
How do web-based capabilities help you bring AR to the real world?
My journey with 8th Wall has been enlightening, from engaging challenges to forging collaborations. The platform's web-based attributes have changed how I approach AR, offering universally accessible experiences without the constraints of traditional app installations. A testament to this is the AR experience I curated for my friend Donyea, which skyrocketed his social media engagement.
What are your future goals with AR?
AR is not just augmented reality; it's an amplified reimagining. To me, technology is an enabler, a bridge to the future. My dream? Transform the world into an auditory and visual spectacle, a place where rhythms and visuals coalesce, drawing people from every corner to dance, to feel, to connect.
What’s a recent project that left you feeling inspired?
I spearheaded a team at the University of San Francisco in crafting "Dance Party," an XR solution tailored for events and virtual avatar experiences. With the support of Professor David Guy Brizan (USFCA) and Evan Carlson (Niantic 8th Wall), we set forth to offer an immersive audio-visual delight. Initially unveiled for the USF community, Dance Party now graces 8th Wall as a featured project. Its public repository stands as a beacon, encouraging developers to harness its essence and conceive transformative user experiences.