Ben Folds, born Benjamin Scott Folds on September 12, 1966, is an American singer-songwriter from Greensboro, North Carolina.
He has been active in the music industry since the late 1980s, gaining recognition for his work both as a solo artist and as part of the band Ben Folds Five.
Folds is known for his distinctive piano-driven sound and insightful lyrics.
He has released numerous albums and singles, showcasing his talent and creativity in the music world.
Additionally, Folds is involved in various artistic endeavors, including podcasts and charity work, demonstrating his diverse interests beyond music.
Early life
Growing up in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Folds showed an early interest in music, learning to play various instruments like bass, drums, guitar and piano during his youth.
Despite initially studying drums at the University of North Carolina, he transitioned to piano, a move that would shape his musical career significantly.
Folds formed the band Ben Folds Five in 1993, known for their piano-driven pop/alternative rock sound and quirky humor.
The band’s hits like Brick and Battle of Who Could Care Less contributed to their success.
Folds’ upbringing, marked by frequent moves in North Carolina due to his father’s work as a contractor, influenced his perspective and creativity.
His experiences growing up in the South and pursuing a career in music are detailed in his memoir, A Dream About Lightning Bugs, where he shares insights into his life, music and the stories behind his popular songs like Brick and Rockin’ the Suburbs.
Net worth
Folds had an estimated net worth of $5 million.
He accumulated his net worth primarily through his successful music career as a songwriter, singer and instrumentalist.
Folds gained fame as the frontman and pianist of the band Ben Folds Five, known for their alternative rock music.
Folds’ talent in songwriting, vocals and instrumental skills contributed significantly to his success.
Additionally, he embarked on solo projects, collaborating with renowned musicians like Regina Spektor, William Shatner and Weird Al Yankovic, which further enhanced his reputation and earnings.
Furthermore, Folds diversified his income by composing music for animated films like Hoodwinked and Over the Hedge, producing albums for other artists like Amanda Palmer, and serving as a judge on the a cappella singing contest, The Sing-Off, on NBC.
Ben Folds Five
Folds’ early career was marked by his formation of the band Ben Folds Five in 1993, where he showcased his piano-driven pop/alternative rock style.
The band’s self-titled debut album in 1995, followed by subsequent albums, helped establish Folds as a prominent figure in the music industry.
His transition to a solo career in 2001 further solidified his reputation as a versatile and ambitious artist, releasing a series of acclaimed albums that showcased his songwriting and musical talents.
Additionally, Folds collaborated with celebrated author Nick Hornby on a collaborative record titled Lonely Avenue in 2010, composed his first piano concerto for the Nashville Symphony and Nashville Ballet in 2014, and engaged in various artistic endeavors like recording with the classical ensemble yMusic in 2015 and launching the Lightning Bugs podcast in 2021.
Fear of Pop
Fear of Pop is an experimental recording project by Folds and Caleb Southern, along with other musicians like John Mark Painter, William Shatner and more.
Their only album, Volume 1, was released in 1998 under the label 550 Records.
This project allowed Folds to explore musical expressions beyond the standard singer-songwriter format, focusing on textures, orchestration and rhythms.
The album cover, titled Just Your Average Second On This Planet by David Bethell, features intriguing silhouettes and imagery.
Notably, Fear of Pop gave their only live performance on Late Night with Conan O’Brien in 1999, showcasing their unique musical style and collaborative spirit.
8in8
Folds was part of the supergroup 8in8, which also included Amanda Palmer, Neil Gaiman and Damian Kulash of OK Go.
In 2011, these artists came together with the goal of writing and recording eight songs in eight hours, hence the name 8in8.
Despite falling short of their target and completing six songs in 12 hours, they released an EP called, Nighty Night, under a Creative Commons license.
This project aimed to explore the speed and creativity involved in music production, engaging fans by allowing them to contribute ideas for lyrics and create music videos for each track.
The band’s collaboration not only showcased their diverse musical styles but also raised over $21,000 for the Berklee City Music Network.
The 8in8 project exemplified a unique approach to music creation, emphasizing rapid production and fan involvement in the creative process.
The Bens
Folds has engaged in unique collaborations that have set him apart in the music industry.
One notable collaboration was with Ben Kweller and Ben Lee, forming a side project humorously named The Bens.
This collaboration resulted in the release of an EP featuring songs like Just Pretend, Stop! and Bruised.
The coming together of these three talented musicians with the shared first name, Ben, showcased their creativity and camaraderie, offering fans a fresh and entertaining musical experience beyond their individual works.
The Bens project exemplifies Folds’ willingness to explore unconventional avenues in music and highlights his ability to connect with other artists to create something truly special and memorable.
Breakthrough
Folds’ breakthrough in his music career came with the release of Ben Folds Five’s album, Whatever and Ever Amen, in 1997, which included the hit single, Brick.
This album marked a significant commercial success for the band and helped propel Folds into the spotlight as a singer-songwriter and pianist.
The unique blend of witty lyrics, piano-driven melodies, and alternative rock sound showcased in this album resonated with audiences, leading to increased recognition and acclaim for Ben Folds Five.
Additionally, the success of this album led to the band signing with Sony 550 for a substantial deal, solidifying their position in the music industry and setting the stage for Folds’ subsequent solo career.
Solo career
Folds’ solo career has been marked by a series of successful albums and collaborations that have showcased his versatility as a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.
Since the breakup of Ben Folds Five in 2000, Folds has released several solo albums, including Rockin’ the Suburbs in 2001, Songs for Silverman” in 2005, Way to Normal in 2008, and his most recent album, What Matters Most, released in June 2023.
In addition to his solo work, Folds has collaborated with various artists such as Regina Spektor, Weird AlnYankovic, and yMusic, showcasing his ability to work across different genres and styles.
His involvement in experimental songwriting projects with individuals like William Shatner and authors like Nick Hornby and Neil Gaiman has further highlighted his creativity and innovation in the music industry.
Albums and EPs
Folds has released a variety of albums and EPs throughout his music career.
Some of his notable albums include Rockin’ the Suburbs, Songs for Silverman, Way to Normal, What Matters Most, So There and Lonely Avenue.
Additionally, he has EPs such as Speed Graphic, Sunny 16 and Super D…
These releases showcase Ben Folds’ diverse musical style and songwriting abilities, ranging from piano-driven ballads to more upbeat and experimental tracks.
Notable collaborations
Folds has released a variety of albums and EPs throughout his music career.
Some of his notable albums include Rockin’ the Suburbs, Songs for Silverman, Way to Normal, What Matters Most, So There and Lonely Avenue.
Additionally, he has EPs such as Speed Graphic, Sunny 16 and Super D…
These releases showcase Folds’ diverse musical style and songwriting abilities, ranging from piano-driven ballads to more upbeat and experimental tracks.
Awards and accolades
Throughout his music career, Folds has garnered numerous awards and accolades that underscore his talent and influence in the industry.
These include multiple Grammy nominations, an ASCAP Pop Music Award recognizing his contributions, a prestigious Q Award, and a star on the Music City Walk of Fame in 2018.
These accolades reflect Folds’ excellence as a musician and his lasting impact on the music scene.
Personal life
Folds has been married multiple times. He married Anna Goodman in 1987, Kate Rosen in 1996, Frally Hynes in 1998 and Fleur Folds in 2007, with whom he split up in 2011.
He has a son named Louis and two daughters named Julia-Rose and Gracie.
Additionally, Folds collaborated on William Shatner’s album, Has Been, showcasing his diverse musical engagements and connections within the industry.
Real estate
Folds listed their Hudson Valley home for sale at $2.8 million.
The property, located in Hudson, New York, is a 9,000 square foot building with four bedrooms and six bathrooms.
Originally a department store from the 1890s, the house offers 6,000 square feet of livable space and is described as turn-key ready.
This unique home showcases Folds’ taste and style in real estate, reflecting a blend of history and modern living in a picturesque setting in upstate New York.