On Key with Ben Folds

Reality TV vs. Reality

  • Posted By Ben Folds
  • November 28, 2011 11:43 AM
ben-1.jpg

As I scrub the soot from my NBC issue designer dinner jacket post this week's twitter flaming (from villagers who were upset about this past Monday's decision), allow me to offer my perspective on reality TV and reality.

On reality TV, the talented Afro-Blue was 'sent home'.  In reality they're not at home, they're in Los Angeles preparing for their guest spot on "The Sing-Off" season finale with Smokey Robinson.  



Continue reading Reality TV vs. Reality.

Group Mastermixes

  • Posted By Ben Folds
  • November 21, 2011 6:55 PM
I will not recover from this one for a while. I know it's just a TV show, but in some ways, it's a bit more. Disclosure: Afro-Blue are my personal favorites on the show, and it suuuuuucked to be put in the position of tiebreaker.  


Continue reading Group Mastermixes.

R&B

  • Posted By Ben Folds
  • November 21, 2011 5:47 PM
To be blunt, this kicking people off the show thing is getting to be an absolute drag. I think once we hit the point where there were six remaining groups, there was a good argument for any of them winning. It becomes apples and oranges... Even bananas, kiwi and so on. Each group has had its own space and style. So when I get disappointed mail from fans of groups who've gone home, I have to agree with them all on some level, yet having been there within yards of their performances, we stand by our decisions.  


Continue reading R&B.

Rock N' Country

  • Posted By Ben Folds
  • November 11, 2011 4:00 PM
PENTATONIX

"Born to Be Wild" by Steppenwolf

I'm not detecting the rushing issues they had early on. They're being inventive despite the few times that taking risks didn't quite pay off earlier, so they're not detracted easily. Kirstie was sick as a dog, and you'd never have known. Honestly, all of these things are important ingredients for a successful band! It's all part of the package - the ability to work through stress, schedule, sleep deprivation while being battered by the waves of constant input. They seem to be flourishing in this atmosphere. "Born to Be Wild" wasn't my favorite performance by Pentatonix, but it was certainly more than good enough to make the cut.
Continue reading Rock N' Country.

Episode 7

  • Posted By Ben Folds
  • November 7, 2011 3:40 PM
The Halloween Medley was loads of fun huh? 
Continue reading Episode 7.

Episode 5

  • Posted By Ben Folds
  • October 19, 2011 10:42 AM
Yes, we danced like idiots. The show was that fun that we had to stand up and be fools! Guilty pleasures are hard to make elimination decisions on. However, they can really show what a group is made of in the right situation. If anyone can deliver a surprisingly moving version of a song that otherwise made you wanna hurl, then bonus. If it's just fun and shows that a group knows how to loosen up, then great. Otherwise, we just watched the performances and took into account all the earlier performances to see where they all were. I was hoping for an extra element from a few groups that didn't happen, while a few just completely came into focus. I love that you never quite know who's going to (sigh)... uh, bring it?


Continue reading Episode 5.

Episode 4

  • Posted By Ben Folds
  • October 14, 2011 8:25 PM


I'm soooo late with my homework. I'm sorry. Big week for me. My retrospective 3-disc set was released, and I had a lot of press to do for that. I was in the studio with my friend Mike Posner making some music and also doing pre-production on my friend and fellow judge Sara's record. Oh, and I was inducted into my home state, North Carolina's hall of fame to boot. This week, as was noted by a few TV critics, found the judges more critical. I'll keep saying it - we're here to help. These groups put it out there with no safety net - it's risky TV. They deserve to feel at home and not attacked. But they also deserve to be told when it's not working as well. It takes a few episodes to get to know their quirks and for them to get to know the judges and their surroundings. Putting them on the defensive quickly doesn't seem like a good way to gain their trust so they can actually take criticism in. If someone's out to get you for a good TV moment, you're not going to listen - you're going to put your armor on and deflect. I think we're getting somewhere and these groups, I hope, know that we have their backs. So sorry every time one has to go. Sonos, we have a lot of respect for you guys and girls and hope that this show was extra exposure and one more step towards the success you deserve. I'll be out to see your gig next time I'm near!


Continue reading Episode 4.

Episode 3

  • Posted By Ben Folds
  • October 3, 2011 10:00 PM
I get so attached to these performers at this point. Watching the opening number, we judges start bumming a little, knowing some of them won't be performing with us next week. What a fantastic opening performance. Can you believe that many people of all walks of life can sing so well?


Continue reading Episode 3.

First song in 10 years for Ben Folds Five

  • Posted By Ben Folds
  • September 28, 2011 5:16 PM

"The Sing-Off" Judge Spotlight

Ben Folds' Song Premiere: "House"
"The Best Imitation Of Myself: A Retrospective"
Featuring "House," the first Ben Folds Five song in over 10 years.

Pre-order here: http://myplay.me/8zm

Continue reading First song in 10 years for Ben Folds Five.

Round 2 - The Groups Keep Coming!

  • Posted By Ben Folds
  • September 26, 2011 11:14 PM
It's been suggested that we were maybe a bit easy on the groups from last week. My perspective is that, in these first two episodes, we're getting to know the groups for the first time. I feel our job to begin with is to encourage and reinforce the strengths so that they'll head off into the season in the right direction. It would be easier if nobody had to go home the first night, and it would be all about the introduction; but that's not the way it works. We have to project into the future and lose the groups that we're quite positive won't develop into a winner.
Continue reading Round 2 - The Groups Keep Coming!.

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