A hipster before hipsters were mainstream, Ben Folds is a man of mystery, intrigue and unexpected humor that can make even the most seasoned musician cock their head to the side and say, “huh?”
On Sunday, Nov. 6, Folds will perform for a sold-out audience seated in Powell Symphony Hall, performing a selection of new and old songs for a debut performance with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.
An experienced pianist and singer, Folds has found himself in a series of bands over his years in the business. Creating a name for himself in 1994, Folds began a trio that was ironically called Ben Folds Five, which would give Folds his first true taste of stardom. Today, Folds is best known for his solo career replete with slightly wacky lyrics, an untraditional physical look, and a tireless work ethic.
His lengthy stint in show business has cultivated a strong fan base over the years that has remained loyal in his transition into unaccompanied success.
Sophomore Angela Pappas said she has long been a fan of the musician. She said Folds’ older works are her favorite, with “The Luckiest” from 2001’s “Rockin’ the Suburbs” continually topping her most-played list.
“I like that the music is simple — just the piano and his voice,” Pappas said.
It is this simplicity that has kept Folds strong in his prolific career, and he continues to sell out venues as he rounds out another decade of distinctive musical contributions. With an electrifyingly subtle voice reminiscent of Rufus Wainwright and the harmonic ease of bands like Guster, Folds raises the bar within his slim genre with heartfelt lyricism and provocative underlying subject matter, according to freshman Luke Yamnitz.
“He’s extremely talented in the fact that he can pull off everything he does all on his own,” Yamnitz said. “He’s not afraid to say what he wants in his music.”
Caught in a personal life as wild as his music, Folds’ inspiration can be traced back to the abortion of his child while in high school, as heard in “Brick.”
A string of four marriages and the birth of his two children are further represented as a motivation for his works. This familial connection is seen most clearly in, “Still Fighting It” and “Gracie,” written explicitly for his son and daughter, respectively.
Perhaps it is the easygoing melodies paired with potentially controversial lyrics, or the comparatively upbeat piano work and intense lyrical attacks, but Folds’ fan following tends to send its support regardless of what realm Folds ventures into. Branching out into the world of cover songs can often be the downfall of a musician, but Folds performs unusual covers ranging from Dr. Dre to Postal Service with humor and majesty, as self-proclaimed “Ben Folds lite” fan Jessa Hawkins, senior, said.
“The lyrics are entertaining and put me in a good mood,” Hawkins said. “Even his cover songs are brilliant. He is truly an example of musicality at its finest.”
Further trekking off the beaten path, involvement with television has set Folds apart from the pack. His recent involvement as a judge on NBC’s singing competition “The Sing-Off” initially had some fans concerned as to the future of his career, including Yamnitz, who said he soon found these fears unprecedented.
“His criticism on ‘The Sing-Off’ really proves how much he knows about music,” Yamnitz said.
While the one-night-only Nov. 6 concert has already sold out all seats, limited standing room-only tickets are still available through the symphony’s ticketing services department at 314-534-1700.
