When the name Ben Folds comes to mind, a variety of impressions and ideas usually arise. Some recall the flamboyant showman they’ve seen onstage, conducting his audience in three-part harmony sing-alongs. Others recall his understandable yet complex a capella commentary from his role as a judge on NBC’s “The Sing-Off.” Others distinguish him for building his career by being the antithesis of a rock star.
But according to Elon junior Rachel Jones, Ben Folds’ multi-sided, musically-driven behavior isn’t exclusive to the stage, but remains constant even when the spotlight is turned off.
Jones had the opportunity to meet and sing with the spectacled music guru during spring break, singing as one of the two sopranos of the octet Fold’s Choir for two concert dates at the Progress Energy Center Meymandi Concert Hall in Raleigh.
Jones said she was chosen for the opportunity to sing with Ben Folds unexpectedly.
“I was originally asked in January by one of the chorale directors to cover one of the sopranos that dropped out,” Jones said. “Actually, the director who asked me has helped with some arrangements for Ben Folds’ choir, so it was cool that they had worked together before.”
Jones said the choir was not privy to much downtime with Folds before to the show, but his relaxed demeanor and passion for music was a constant presence during rehearsal and sound check. Despite Folds’ reported quiet and reserved manner during rehearsal, Jones noted each night he brought all the intensity and unpredictability that has come to be associated with a Ben Folds concert.
“He’s an excellent performer, but he’s not full of himself,” Jones said. “He was very easy to work with and very interactive with the audience.”
Despite the theme of regular irregularity that reportedly accompanies any Folds concert, Jones recalled that the show was, overall, by the book. But there were more than a few of Folds’ greatest hits moments during the course of the concert. For instance, during Folds’ popularized audience-friendly anthem, “Not the Same,” Folds transformed the entire audience into his choristers, as each audience member was asked to sing one part of a three-part harmony during the song’s chorus.
Jones recalled one instance during the show in which Folds sang one of his signature impromptu songs, (entitled “The Lonely Douchebag”) to satirize the antics of a rowdy audience member. The theme of improvisation on stage was palpable throughout the entire concert, according to Jones.
“More than half of our set was comprised of songs that he previously made up while on stage,” Jones said.
After the show ended, Jones was finally able to meet with the former frontman of the Ben Folds Five, whohe was able to offer her some practical advice for her current career as a music major and beyond.
“(Folds) told me to focus more on the music than its marketability. Don’t write crappy music just so you can sell it,” Jones said. “One of my favorite anecdotes of his was him saying how he wakes up in the morning with songs in his head, most of which he claims are horrible. But a few of them he will work at, and they’ll eventually end up on stage.”
Jones said her favorite part of the experience was the chance to work with the group that she sang with, and was grateful for the contacts that she made that she can use in the future.
Whether students think of Folds as a goofball or musical genius, Jones now has a new image to hold on to.