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Ben Folds

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Ben Folds
Folds in 2018
Folds in 2018
Background information
Birth nameBenjamin Scott Folds
Born(1966-09-12)September 12, 1966(age 57)
Winston-Salem, North Carolina,U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
  • multi-instrumentalist
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • keyboards
  • drums
  • bass guitar
  • guitar
Years active1988–present
Labels
  • Attacked by Plastic
  • Epic
  • New West
Formerly of
Spouse(s)
​
​
(m.1987;div.1992)​
Katie Rosen
​
​
(m.1996;div.1996)​
Frally Hynes
​
​
(m.1999;div.2006)​
Fleur Stanbrook
​
​
(m.2007;div.2011)​
Emma Sandall
​
​
(m.2017;div.2024)​
Websitebenfolds

Benjamin Scott Folds(born September 12, 1966)[1]is an American singer-songwriter fromWinston-Salem, North Carolina.After playing in several small independent bands throughout the late 80s and into the early 90s, Folds came to prominence as the eponymousfrontmanand pianist of thealternative rocktrioBen Folds Fivefrom 1993 to 2000, and again during their reunion from 2011 to 2013. He has recorded a number of solo albums – the most recent of which,What Matters Most,was released in June 2023. He has also collaborated with musicians such asRegina Spektor,"Weird Al" Yankovic,andyMusic,and undertaken experimental songwriting projects with actorWilliam Shatnerand authors such asNick HornbyandNeil Gaiman.Since May 2017, he has been the first artistic advisor to theNational Symphony Orchestraat theKennedy Centerin Washington, D.C.[2][3]

Folds has frequently performed arrangements of his music with uncommon instrumentation for rock and pop music, including symphony orchestras anda cappellagroups. In addition to contributing music to the soundtracks of the animated filmsHoodwinked!,andOver the Hedge,Folds has produced several albums, includingAmanda Palmer's first solo albumWho Killed Amanda Palmerin 2008.

Folds was a judge on theNBCa cappella singing contestThe Sing-Offfrom 2009 to 2013.[4]In July 2019, Folds published his first book, a memoir, titledA Dream About Lightning Bugs: A Life of Music and Cheap Lessons.[5]

Early life and education

[edit]

Folds was born inWinston-Salem, North Carolina.He became interested in piano at age nine. His father, a carpenter, brought one home through abartertrade with a customer who was unable to pay.[6]During this time, Folds listened to songs byElton JohnandBilly JoelonAM radio,and learned them by ear.[7]During his years atRichard J. Reynolds High SchoolinWinston-Salem,Folds played in several bands as the pianist, bassist, or drummer.[8]

Folds attended theUniversity of Miami'sFrost School of Musicon a full percussion scholarship, but dropped out after having failed 'the jury' and losing his scholarship.[citation needed]He devoted a lot of time to working on piano technique. "I spent maybe six months just running scales with a metronome like a freak," Folds said. "I suppose that did something."[9]

After leaving Miami, he returned to North Carolina and enrolled at theUniversity of North Carolina at Greensborofor the fall semester of 1985. It was while studying at UNCG that he met his 'accidental mentor', Robert Darnell. Folds would acknowledge the impact of Darnell on his appreciation of music in his 2019 memoirA Dream About Lightning Bugs.[10]

Career

[edit]

Majosha and early career

[edit]
Ben Folds (second from right) in a promotional photo for Majosha

In the late 1980s, Folds (as a bassist) formed the bandMajoshawith longtime friendsEvan Olson,Millard Powers,and Eddie Walker.[11]The group released several locally produced records. They played their first gig atDuke University'sBattle of the Bandsin 1988, and won.[12]They played at bars andfraternityparties, and self-produced anEPcalledParty Night: Five Songs About Jesus(1988), which they sold locally. The EP has four songs, none of which are about Jesus. They recordedShut Up and Listen to Majoshain 1989. It contains, among other tracks, the four songs fromParty Night(remixed and/or re-recorded) and "Emaline" and "Video", which Folds would later record withBen Folds Five.[13][14]The song "Get That Bug" fromParty Nightwas released as a dance mix in Japan.

After Majosha broke up, Folds played drums in a band called Pots and Pans withEvan Olsonon bass and Britt "Snuzz" Uzzell on guitar and vocals, but the newly formed band lasted only about a month.[15]Olson and Uzzell formed Bus Stop[16]with Folds' younger brother, Chuck Folds, on bass, and Eddie Walker on drums.[17][18]

Folds eventually got a music publishing deal with Nashville music executiveScott Simanwho saw Folds open for musician Marc Silvey, as well as playing bass for Silvey's band Mass Confusion, and moved toNashville, Tennessee,to pursue it in 1990. He played drums for a short stint in Power Bill, headed byJody Spence,Millard Powers, andWill Owsley.Power Bill was later renamedThe Semantics.Folds did not take a creative role in the band. He attracted interest from major labels. He ended up playing drums in Nashville as asession musician:[19]

In Nashville, I was running eight miles a day, hanging out with my friends, walking around eating chocolate-chip cookies and playing a lot of drums, which I enjoyed. Life was easy. I was never frustrated—even though I wasn't fulfilling my contract obligations. If you are failing in Nashville, at least your standard of living is nice. Nashville is a nice way to fail.[19]

Folds moved toMontclair, New Jersey,and began to act in theater troupes in New York City. Around 1993, he was enjoying this to the point where he did not want to keep pursuing a musical career.[19]He also played weekly gigs atSin-é,famous for being the café which had helped startJeff Buckley's career.

Ben Folds Five (1994–2000)

[edit]
Main article:Ben Folds Five

Folds moved back to North Carolina and formedBen Folds Fivein 1994, with bassistRobert Sledge,and drummerDarren JesseeinChapel Hill.[20]As Folds put it, "Jeff Buckleywas being signed at that time byColumbiaand I was talking to Steve, hisA&Rguy, and somehow we knew the same people or something. "In 1995,Ben Folds Fivereleased their self-titleddebut album.The debut was followed byWhatever and Ever Amenin 1997, and the odds-and-ends compilationNaked Baby Photoswas released in early 1998.Whatever and Ever Amenincluded many singles such as "Song for the Dumped", "Battle of Who Could Care Less", and the band's most successful song, "Brick".In 1999, the band released what was to be their final album for over a decade,The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner,which included the hit "Army".

Folds has described Ben Folds Five as "punk rockfor sissies ",[21]and his lyrics often contain nuances of melancholy, self-conflict, and humorous sarcasm, often punctuated by profanity.

Early in their career, Ben Folds Five gained a strong following in the United Kingdom and Australia. As with many other 'alternative' American acts, this was largely due to consistent support from national broadcasters in those countries: in Britain theBBCand in Australia theABC'sTriple Jyouth radio network and ABC-TV's music video showRage.The group's first chart breakthrough came in the UK, when "Underground" made the lower reaches of the Top 40, peaking at no. 37. Britain was the band's strongest territory in terms of chart success, with five singles making the national Top 40 there— "Underground", "Battle of Who Could Care Less", "Kate", "Brick" and "Army" —although none managed to crack the UK Top 20. In Australia, "Underground" likewise broke the band locally and while it did not make the ARIA chart, it came in at no. 3 on the 1996 Triple J Hottest 100 poll (broadcast on January 26, 1997). The 1998 single "Brick" became the group's only major chart placing in Australia, reaching no. 13; it also came in at no. 53 in theARIAAustralian Top 100 for that year[22]and earned a Gold Record award[23]while its parent albumWhatever and Ever Amenpeaked at no. 9 and charted for 32 weeks. Following their tour in support forThe Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner,the band decided to amicably break up, with each of the band members pursuing different projects.[24]

Rockin' the SuburbstoSupersunnyspeedgraphic(2001–2007)

[edit]
Folds performing inKnoxville, Tennessee,2006

Folds' first solo album after the breakup of the band wasRockin' the Suburbsin 2001, released on the same day as theSeptember 11 attacks.He played nearly all the instruments, most notably guitar, an instrument seldom used during the Ben Folds Five days. "The Luckiest" was written for theAmy HeckerlingmovieLoser,but the scene it was meant for was deleted.[25]Millard Powers,Britt "Snuzz" Uzzell, andJim Bogiosjoined Folds on the promotional tour of the album."Weird Al" Yankovicdirected and appeared in Folds' video for the album's namesake song, "Rockin' the Suburbs".Folds' friend and fellow musicianJohn McCrea,lead singer of the bandCake,contributed vocals to "Fred Jones, Part 2".

A year later, Folds releasedBen Folds Live,a collection of live solo recordings. In late 2003, two soloEPs,Speed GraphicandSunny 16,were self-released on Folds' labelAttacked by Plastic.The last EP,Super D,was released in mid-2004.

Songs for Silvermanwas released in the United States on April 26, 2005. The album returned to the trio format, featuring Jared Reynolds on bass and Lindsay Jamieson on drums. This album includes the track "Late", a tribute to the late singer-songwriterElliott Smith,and also featuresbackup vocalsfrom"Weird Al" Yankovicon "Time". Folds had played piano for Yankovic's song "Why Does This Always Happen to Me?" on hisPoodle Hatalbum.

On October 24, 2006, Folds releasedSupersunnyspeedgraphic, the LP,a compilation of songs that were originally released on the EPsSunny 16,Speed Graphic,andSuper D.He announced on his MySpace blog that he planned to work on his next studio album in October 2006, although recording did not actually start until 2007. On that same day, Folds became the first person to webcast a live-by-request concert overMySpace.The concert was complete with pranks staged ahead of time by Folds, including a drunk man falling over the balcony during "Jesusland" and a "suicide attempt" by Folds at the end. The concert is also notable for featuring a "guitorchestra", a group of acoustic guitarists from Nashville who accompanied Folds on some songs, as well as an impromptu ringtone orchestra made up of audience members playing their cellphone's ringtones in unison. ADVDof the performance, "Live at MySpace",was released on February 20, 2007.

Way to Normalto Ben Folds Five reunion (2008–2013)

[edit]

During a concert at theNational Theatrein Richmond, Virginia on April 11, 2008, Folds announced that he had completed his newest album, and played four tracks from it. He played the first track, "Hiroshima", at the show. He also debuted new music at an impromptu gig at theExit/Inon December 19, 2007, and at the Ann Arbor Folk Festival on January 25, 2008. Other new songs included "Errant Dog", "Effington", "Bitch Went Nuts", "Free Coffee", and "Kylie From Connecticut". Folds played The 6th Annual Langerado on March 8, 2008, and was a part of the lineup for the 2008Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival.

On July 16, 2008, an anonymous user posted what they claimed was a "leak" of Folds' latest album on a fan site (eventually calledWay to Normal (Fake)). The file contained nine tracks along with aPDFof supposed cover art, and was a mix of what appeared to be legitimate songs fromWay to Normal,pastiches of dry humor and melodramatic pop interwoven with bright, energetic melodies. Folds explained on Triple J radio a few weeks later that in one overnight session in Dublin he and the band had recorded 'fake' versions of songs from the new album. His sources had then leaked them to the public as a light-hearted joke on his fans.[26]

Ben Folds Five reunited to perform its first concert appearance in nearly 10 years on September 18, 2008, at theUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Memorial Hall.[27]The one-off gig was part of MySpace's "Front to Back" series, in which artists played an entire album live. The band playedThe Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner.[28]All proceeds from ticket sales benefited the charityOperation Smile,of which Folds' uncle, Jim Folds, is on the board of directors for the North Carolina Chapter.[29]

Way to Normalwas released on September 30, 2008, in the United States and on September 29, 2008, in the United Kingdom.[30][31]It became Folds' highest-charting album ever in the US, debuting at no. 11 on theBillboard200.[32]Fan reception of the album was rather mixed, with several citing the heavy use ofdynamic compressionas a major downfall of the album. Folds responded, releasing a more "traditional" mix of the album entitledStems and Seeds,featuring various bonus tracks such as the entire "leaked" album and providingstemsthat allowed fans to create remixes.

On April 28, 2009, Folds releasedBen Folds Presents: University A Cappella!,an album consisting of college students'a cappellaarrangements of his music performed by some of the country's best college a cappella groups.[33]

In March 2010, a video Folds created titled "Ode To Merton" wentviralon YouTube. In the video, Folds improvises several songs about people that he sees on the social networking siteChatroulette,in the style of "Merton",a YouTube creator who many initially thought was Folds himself.[34][35]

Folds' final solo album before his reunion withBen Folds Five,a collaboration with English authorNick Hornby,was entitledLonely Avenueand was released on September 28, 2010. Announced shortly before the release ofWay to Normal,the idea of the collaboration came out of the "fake" leak of the album released in July 2008. "(We will) write and record it in about three days, just like we did in Dublin with the fake record," Folds said.[36]As schedules began to misalign, the plans for the album began to change and take on the form of a more major release. On June 14, 2010, Folds released the official album art via his Twitter account. "From Above", the first single from the album, premiered onRichard Kingsmill's new music show2010onTriple Jin Australia on July 18, 2010. "From Above" features Australian singerKate Miller-Heidkeon backing vocals. Folds also recorded a video song with Nick Hornby andPomplamoose.EnglishYouTuberCharlie McDonnellwas commissioned to create the music video for Folds' song "Saskia Hamilton", which was uploaded on October 1, 2010.[37]

The band reunited in 2011 with a subsequent release of the albumThe Sound of the Life of the Mind,leading to a tour of their new work throughout 2012 and 2013.

So Thereand the National Symphony Orchestra (2014–2022)

[edit]
Folds andyMusicon stage in 2016

In March 2014, Folds premiered a commissionedpiano concertohe composed with theNashville Symphony Orchestra.[38]This was followed up in 2015 withSo There,an album by Folds and theyMusicEnsemble, released on September 11, 2015. The album includes eightchamber popsongs and the piano concerto performed with the Nashville Symphony.[39]

He guest-starred on a second season episode of theShowtimedramaseriesBillionsin April 2017, playing his song "Landed".[40]

On May 11, 2017, Folds was appointed the first Artistic Advisor to theNational Symphony OrchestraatThe Kennedy Centerin Washington, D.C.[3]His term was originally through the 2019–2020 season, but as of 2023 he continues in the position. Folds helps program NSO'sDeclassifiedseries of concerts,[41]which presents classical and contemporary music in modern, "reimagined" ways. The concerts have featured the orchestra playing with various featured artists, including Folds,Regina Spektor,Sara Bareilles,Jon Batiste,Emily King,and others. With the National Symphony Orchestra, Folds collaborated withMo Willems,contributing original music to a stage adaptation ofGoldilocks and the Three Dinosaursin 2022.[42]

In September 2018,The Washington Postcommissioned a single from him called "Mister Peepers". The song depicts formerDeputy Attorney GeneralRod Rosenstein's conflict withRepublicansduring theRussia investigation,with the name coming fromPresident Trump's nicknamefor Rosenstein.[43]

In June 2020, he released the song "2020", describing the difficulty of living during theCOVID-19 pandemic.[44]

Folds appeared on the podcastStoryboundin 2021.[45]In April 2021, he launched his own podcast,Lightning Bugs: Conversations with Ben Folds,speaking with various guests on their artistic processes and the nature of creativity.[46]In March 2022, he announced the podcast was on indefinite hiatus while he continued work on a new album.

In April 2022, Folds contributed the title song to thePeanutsstreamingspecialIt's The Small Things, Charlie Brown,released onApple TV+forEarth Day.[47]In May 2022, he also made a guest appearance in three episodes of the second season ofThe Wilds,astreamingdramaseries forAmazon Prime Video.The episodes featured a new plaintive piano-and-vocal version of the Ben Folds Five hit "Brick", as well as Folds' rendition of thePsychedelic Furssong "The Ghost in You".[48]

What Matters Mostto present (2023–present)

[edit]

On February 15, 2023, Folds announced that his next album, titledWhat Matters Most,would be released on June 2, 2023. The first single, "Winslow Gardens", was released on the same day as the announcement.[49][50]Folds spent much of 2023 on an album tour of the United States and Europe, and stated thatWhat Matters Mostwill likely be his final rock album.[51][52]

During his Paper Airplane Request Tour in mid-2024, Folds announced that he had written and recorded a Christmas album with plans to release it during the upcoming holiday season. He performed a new track titled "Me and Maurice" on the tour.[53][54]

Other work in music

[edit]

Work for other musicians

[edit]

In addition to collaborations on his own music, Ben Folds often works with other musicians on their projects. In 1997, Folds recorded an unreleased studio album titledForever ValentinewithWhiskeytown.[55]

"Weird Al" Yankovicparodied Ben Folds' style in the song "Why Does This Always Happen to Me?" on his 2003 albumPoodle Hat.[56]According to music criticNathan Rabin,the song "amplifies the noxious self-absorption of the American character to hilarious extremes" by describing a narrator who, upon hearing about a number of horrible tragedies, only complains about the (minor) inconveniences that affect him.[56][57][58][59]Folds himself plays piano on the track. Yankovic later toldThe A.V. Club:"Ben and I are old friends at this point, and of course I sought his keyboard work for that song. So he came in and knocked it out."[56]

In 2004, Folds acted as producer, arranger, musician, andbackup vocalisttoWilliam Shatner's albumHas Been.Shatner was also involved in Folds'Fear of Popproject, contributing vocals to a number of songs on the album, most notably the song "In Love".

In August 2008, Folds played piano for friend and Japanese singer-songwriterAngela Aki's song "Black Glasses" on her albumAnswer.

Folds producedAmanda PalmerofThe Dresden Dolls' first solo album,Who Killed Amanda Palmer,which was released September 16, 2008. He also performs on the album.[60][61]

Soundtracks

[edit]

Ben Folds has often contributed both original and previously recorded songs to movies and television shows. Thesoundtrackfor the 2005 animated filmHoodwinked!featured "Red is Blue", performed by Folds. In May 2006, Folds contributed three original songs to the soundtrack ofOver the Hedge,titled "Heist", "Family of Me", and "Still". Included with them was a cover ofthe Clashsong "Lost in the Supermarket" and a recording of "Rockin' the Suburbs" featuring new lyrics written to complement the plot of the film.

Folds' song "Rockin' the Suburbs"was featured on the soundtrack forABC's sitcomSurviving Suburbia,which aired in August 2009. Folds also wrote the soundtrack for theNetflix original filmHandsome,released in May 2017.

Tours

[edit]
Folds in 2009

After Ben Folds Five split, Folds' first tour with a full band was to support the albumRockin' the Suburbs.He was accompanied by Britt "Snüzz" Uzzell on guitar and electronic keyboard,Millard Powerson bass and keys, andJim Bogioson drums. Powers and Bogios later went on to joinCounting Crows.

On a tour of Australia, Folds joined with solo artistsBen KwellerandBen Leeto travel the country asThe Bens,at the suggestion of a fan on Kweller's official website. The trio also went on to record afour-track EPtogether.

In the summer of 2004, Folds co-headlined an American tour with fellow singer-songwritersRufus WainwrightandGuster.Folds again performed with Wainwright and Lee in the summer of 2005 as part of the "Odd Men Out" tour. In addition, Folds has performed with many other notable musical names, includingWeezerandTori Amos.After seeingthe Frayperform with Weezer, Folds asked the band to join him for twelve performances in 2005.

Folds also performed with theWest Australian Symphony Orchestra(WASO) in March 2005, theBaltimore Symphony Orchestra(BSO) in November 2005, theSydney Symphonyat theSydney Opera House,Adelaide Symphony Orchestra,Western Australian Symphony Orchestra,Melbourne Symphony Orchestra,and theQueensland Orchestraduring an Australian tour in 2006. Folds performed with theNorth Carolina Symphonyin March 2010, and theUtah Symphony Orchestrain July 2010. A DVD of Folds playing with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra was released in December 2005.

On May 9, 2007, Folds performed with theBoston Pops Orchestra.The orchestra's performance was marred when a fight broke out between two audience members in the balcony, though Folds had not yet taken the stage.[62]

After his MySpace performance on October 24, 2006, Folds's tour performances began to feature a synthesizer, a redNord LeadII, which he uses in many of the songs when played live. During his concerts, Folds frequently performs two of his concert traditions: palm-smashing the keys and throwing his stool at the piano.

In March 2007, Folds went on a headlining tour, which opened on March 24 atAssumption CollegeinWorcester, Massachusetts.In the summer of 2007, he performed as the primary opener forJohn Mayerduring hisContinuum38-day summer tour.[63]During this tour, Mayer sometimes joined Folds on the song "Narcolepsy", playing synth. At various concerts throughout the tour, parents of young children going to see Mayer would file complaints about Folds' lyrics.

On March 29, 2008, Folds played the Cage Center Arena atBerry CollegeinMount Berry, Georgia.During contract negotiations, he was asked by the administration to not play one of his songs due to its explicit lyrics. Folds refused, citing artistic freedom.[64]

On May 9, 2008, Folds played his first completely solo show in years atWestern Connecticut State Universitybecause his bassist Jared Reynolds was with his wife, who had just given birth to their first son.[65]

Folds made a brief solo tour of Australia in August 2009; at one of his sold-outSydney Opera Houseconcerts he was joined onstage for several songs byAimee Mann,who was also touring Australia at the time. At the Palais theatre in Melbourne,Missy Higginsjoined him for "You Don't Know Me",a single fromWay to Normalthat Folds originally sang withRegina Spektor.[66]

In April 2011, Folds collaborated withAmanda Palmer,Neil Gaiman,andDamian Kulashas 8in8 to write, record, and produce eight songs in eight hours, which were then available online within 24 hours, as well as being performed once on its world tour, as part of the ReThink Music conference.[67]

Folds reunited with Ben Folds Five to play theMountain JamMusic Festival on June 2, 2012. This was the first time the band had performed live together since 2008.

Ben Folds performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. for the 2012 Presidential Scholar in the Arts ceremony with several of YoungArts best alumni.

As part of their 2013 "Last Summer on Earth" Tour,Ben Folds Fivejoined theBarenaked Ladiesalong withGusterfor 30 dates across North America, beginning June 17 at theVerizon Theatrein Dallas, Texas and ending at the 2013Celebrate Brooklynfestival.

From November 22 to 24, 2013, Folds took part in Performing Arts'American Voicesfestival hosted byRenée Flemingat the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., which featured American jazz, country, Broadway, gospel, popular and classical music.[68]WithSara Bareilles,he conducted a pop/rock master class for aspiring singers.[69]During the concert series he premiered his new song "I'm Not the Man" with theNational Symphony Orchestraand sang "Not the Same" with Bareilles.[70]

On January 20, 2014, Folds performed at theEl Rey Theatre,Los Angeles, in support of theDavid Lynch Foundation's celebration ofRingo Starr's "lifetime of peace and love".[71][72]

From July 2017 to early 2018, Ben Folds went on a tour titled "The Paper Airplane Tour", in which audience members were encouraged to throw paper airplanes with song requests onto the stage halfway through the concert. Folds would then randomly select from these requests from his extensive catalog and perform them solo.[73]

Other ventures

[edit]

Folds is an avid photographer and cites it as more than just his hobby.[74]His work was featured byNational Geographicduring the2010 Tennessee floods.[75]

Folds made a brief guest appearance on a 1996Space Ghost Coast to Coastepisode, Surprise, onCartoon Network.This marks one of Ben's first non-musical TV appearances.

In 2001, Folds was an inaugural member of the Independent Music Awards' judging panel to support independent artists.[76]

Starting in December 2009, Folds was featured as a judge onNBC'sa cappellacompetitionThe Sing-OffalongsideNicole ScherzingerandShawn Stockman.In theseason 1finale, Folds showcased his talents and played the piano background on "Why Can't We Be Friends?"sung by the two finalist groups, theBeelzebubsfromTufts UniversitynearBostonandNota,fromSan Juan,Puerto Rico. He again returned for the show'ssecond seasonin December 2010, thethird seasonin September 2011 alongside Stockman andSara Bareillesand afourth seasonwith Stockman andJewelin December 2013. The show featured several performances of songs from Ben's first solo album.

Folds has also taken several acting roles in his career. He made a cameo appearance in the 2013 filmWe're the Millersplaying himself as a piano teacher, although the scene did not make the theatrical cut.[77]In January 2014, Folds had a brief appearance in the TV showCommunity,in episode "Basic Intergluteal Numismatics" (S5E03) as "Professor Bublitz", a botany teacher who secretly grows marijuana in his office, as well as contributing the song that closes out the episode, "Ass Crack Bandit".[78]This led to him taking a recurring role in seasons 3, 4 and 5 of theFXXcomedyYou're The Worstplaying himself as an alcoholic.[79][80]In 2022, Folds appeared as himself on 3 episodes of the 2nd season ofPrime Video'sdrama seriesThe Wilds.Folds described his role on the show as playing a "twisted, dream version" of himself.[81]

Since May 2017 he has been serving as the first artistic advisor to theNational Symphony Orchestraat theKennedy Centerin Washington, D.C.[2][3]

In June 2019, Folds launched a podcast titledArtsVote 2020 with Ben Foldswith the stated goal of getting every candidate in the2020 United States presidential electionto have "a one-on-one, 30-minute conversation with Ben Folds about their personal background in the arts and arts education, their observations and previous policy efforts to transform through the arts the communities and states that they represent, and their vision for advancing support for the arts and the charitable sector in the future."[82][83]

In July 2019, Folds published his first book, a memoir, titledA Dream About Lightning Bugs: A Life of Music and Cheap Lessons.[5]This was followed up in April 2021 when Folds launched a podcast titledLightning Bugs.In the podcast, Folds discusses creativity with guests from a variety of backgrounds and fields and writes a song with them at the end of every episode. Guests have included frequent collaboratorsWilliam ShatnerandNick Hornby,as well as other guests such asMo Willems,Bob Saget,andJon Batiste.[84][85]

Personal life

[edit]

Folds' personal life has inspired several of his songs; the hit single "Brick", co-written with Darren Jessee, was based on the experience of Folds' girlfriend having an abortion while they were in high school.[86]Folds initially refused to discuss the story behind "Brick", thinking it was too serious for a pop song, but he eventually confirmed the inspiration for the song during a show on his Ben Folds Live tour. His telling of the story is included on the "Brick" track on the album.[87]

Folds leasedRCA Studio AinNashville, Tennesseebeginning in 2002 and was pivotal to the preservation of the historic building during its developer controversy in 2014. His efforts, along with others, led to the creation of theMusic Industry Coalition.[88]

Folds supports thePort Adelaide Powerin theAustralian Football League.[89]

Folds supportedBernie Sandersfor president in the2016 presidential election.[90]

As of 2016, he lived inSanta Monica, California.He also owned a residence inHudson, New Yorkfrom 2016, until it was sold in December 2020.[91]In March 2020, Folds temporarily resided in Sydney, where he was touring when travel restrictions due to theCOVID-19 pandemicprevented him from traveling home.[92][93]

Marriages and children

[edit]

Folds has been married and divorced five times. He met his first wife,Anna Goodman,in first grade at Moore Elementary School,Winston-Salemand was married to her from 1987 to 1992.[94]She co-wrote several Ben Folds Five songs, including "Alice Childress", "The Last Polka", "Smoke", "Kate", and "Lullabye". Folds has since described Goodman as his "oldest friend" and the person who originally inspired him to play music.[95]

Folds was then briefly married to Kate Rosen in 1996.[95]

Folds metFrally Hynes,an Australian, in January 1998 and they were married in May 1999 inAdelaide,South Australia, making their home there and later releasing a song about the city titled "Adelaide".[86]Two months after their wedding, Frally gave birth to twins, Louis Francis (July 22, 1999) andGracie Scott(July 23, 1999),[96]the former inspiring his song "Still Fighting It" and the latter inspiring his song "Gracie". Hynes also sang lead on "Root to This" onFear of Pop's 1998 albumVolume 1.Folds and Hynes divorced in 2006.[86][97]

Folds married Fleur Stanbrook on November 17, 2007, atThe VenetianinLas Vegas.They were based in Nashville.[98]Folds and Stanbrook ended their marriage sometime in 2011. In 2012, Folds stated that "As much as I love the idea of being married, it's not for me."[99]

Folds married Emma Sandall, a former Royal Ballet dancer, on January 20, 2017. They divorced on February 27, 2024.[100]

Awards and recognition

[edit]

Folds received a 2002Recording Industry Association of America(RIAA) Gold Record award for Ben Folds Five'sWhatever and Ever Amen(1998).

He was inducted into theNorth Carolina Music Hall of Famein 2011.[101]

October 29, 2015, Folds was initiated as an honorary brother of the men's music fraternityPhi Mu Alpha Sinfoniaat theUniversity of Miami.[102]

On August 21, 2018, Folds received a star on theMusic City Walk of FameinNashville, Tennessee.[103]

Discography

[edit]
Main article:Ben Folds discography
See also:Ben Folds Five discography

Solo

[edit]

With Ben Folds Five

[edit]

With Nick Hornby

[edit]

With yMusic

[edit]

Bibliography

[edit]

Filmography

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2009–2013 The Sing-Off Himself Judge; 27 episodes
2013 We're the Millers Piano teacher Deleted scene
2014 Community Professor Bublitz Episode: "Basic Intergluteal Numismatics"
2016–19 You're the Worst Ben Folds 3 episodes
2016 Drunk History Nathan Cherry Episode: "Shit Shows"
2017 Billions Ben Folds Episode: "The Kingmaker"
2022 The Wilds Himself 3 episodes

References

[edit]
  1. ^"Q&A".TheGuardian.June 25, 2005.
  2. ^ab"Ben Folds Biography".Kennedy-center.org.RetrievedFebruary 8,2018.
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