Lightning Bugs: Conversations with Ben Folds

Latest Episodes:

Josh Groban - Finding Success in Creating Your Own Lane Aug 26, 2021

Show notes

Today, my guest is singer, songwriter, and actor, Josh Groban! He's performed all around the world for over a decade, and in 2017, he starred in the hit Broadway musical, Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812. As an actor, you'd recognize him in tv shows and films such as - The Good Cop, Crazy Stupid Love, The Office, and so much more.

On this episode, we discussed sticking to your own style, even when the trend points a different direction, having your serious songwriting albums while also having your fun ones, collaboration on different levels, and writing a song about a rude breeze that attempts to interrupt the interview.

You can submit your questions to Ben here: https://www.speakpipe.com/BenFolds

And check out the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ix6szTyjg3vmx1sIj-Vfw

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emily King - How Imperfection Creates Soul Aug 19, 2021

Show notes

Today, my guest is singer and songwriter Emily King. She’s an amazing R&B artist with four albums and three Grammy nominations under her belt. She released an album in 2020 called Sides, which is all acoustic versions of previously released songs.

On this episode, we discuss how to find your authentic voice in a world where you can have unlimited versions on a track, how recording from home and at a studio can change your creative perspective, and how sometimes the track you do half awake with your hands in your pockets is the best one that ends up on the album.

You can submit your questions to Ben here: https://www.speakpipe.com/BenFolds

And check out the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ix6szTyjg3vmx1sIj-Vfw

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daniel Levitin - How Science and Creativity Overlap Aug 12, 2021

Show notes

Today, my guest is Dr. Daniel Levitin. He’s a neuroscientist, musician, and author. His research encompasses music, the brain, health, productivity and creativity. Publishing more than 300 articles, authoring four New York Times Bestsellers, and serving as a music consultant for several musical groups, Daniel’s insight and ideas have been felt far and wide. Daniel's ears have influenced the work of Blue Öyster Cult, Chris Isaak, and many many more.

On this episode, we discuss why humans create music, how our definitions and interpretation of sound have changed, the divide and overlap between science and creativity, and how the ability to recognize sound is as old as 800 million years.

You can submit your questions to Ben here: https://www.speakpipe.com/BenFolds

And check out the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ix6szTyjg3vmx1sIj-Vfw

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bishop Briggs - Becoming a Full-Time Musician and Seeing Past the Glamour of an Industry Aug 05, 2021

Show notes

Today’s guest is the musician Bishop Briggs. Her first single Wild Horses was released in 2015, and she's been cranking out music every year since then. Bishop has always been on the grind, starting out in coffee shops and small venues (which she refers to as “piss rooms,”) working hard to become the musician she is today.

We dive into the realities of being a musician full-time and running it as a business. The reality of how grief can be inspiration for your work. And cutting pass the glamor of being a singer and realizing that the people you work with is one of the most important aspects of being creative.

You can submit your questions to Ben here: https://www.speakpipe.com/BenFolds

And check out the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ix6szTyjg3vmx1sIj-Vfw

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Susan Rogers - How our Mind Naturally Recognizes Music Jul 29, 2021

Show notes

Today’s guest is the record producer, sound engineer, and professor, Susan Rogers. She’s worked as a studio engineer with artists such as Prince, Barenaked Ladies, David Byrne, and many more. Susan has a doctorate in music cognition and psychoacoustics from McGill University, and she’s a professor at Berklee College of Music in the Music Production and Engineering department.

On this episode, we talk about how our music tastes develop, how our ears physically react when we hear music we like, and how styles of music are constantly changing and evolving. We also speak about the human baseline of innate music knowledge and understanding of theory, and how we can learn to become better listeners.

You can submit your questions to Ben here: https://www.speakpipe.com/BenFolds

And check out the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ix6szTyjg3vmx1sIj-Vfw

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alice Major - Shaping the Sounds of Language Jul 22, 2021

Show notes

Today’s guest is a former poet laureate in Canada, author, and essayist, Alice Major. She’s published eleven collections of poetry, two novels for young adults, and an award-winning collection of essays about poetry and science.

Her work has appeared in a variety of anthologies, and she’s active in many literary and arts organizations all over Canada.

We spoke about the creations of associations in our world and how words and language contain a sound and shape that can be played with and formed. We talked about how poetry isn’t just about the words, but the part as a whole and how it flows piece to piece.

You can submit your questions to Ben here: https://www.speakpipe.com/BenFolds

And check out the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ix6szTyjg3vmx1sIj-Vfw

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kishi Bashi - Using the Past to Create Art for the Future Jul 15, 2021

Show notes

Today, my guest is singer, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Kishi Bashi. He’s recorded and toured internationally as a violinist with a variety of artists such as Regina Spektor, Sondre Lerche, and of Montreal.

His latest album, Omoiyari, was released in 2019. He is currently co-directing a feature length documentary of the same name about minority identity and the incarceration of Japanese Americans in WWII. This year, Kishi released his Emigrant EP, a companion piece to Omoiyari.

Kishi uses his art for activism - working to educate people and to continue telling the human story one piece at a time.

You can submit your questions to Ben here: https://www.speakpipe.com/BenFolds

And check out the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ix6szTyjg3vmx1sIj-Vfw

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sarah Donnelley - Crafting Creativity and Connecting a Community Jul 08, 2021

Show notes

Today we spoke with Sarah Donnelley, an inspiring, award-winning teacher and musician based in Australia. She recently received an ARIA award for a video project she made with her students during COVID-19 lockdown in remote Wilcannia, Australia. Sarah promotes creativity inside and outside of her classroom - connecting the community around her and inspiring generations to create music, anywhere and any way they can. We spoke about connecting people where internet isn’t a given and promoting creativity when interacting can’t always be in person.

You can submit your questions to Ben here: https://www.speakpipe.com/BenFolds

And check out the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ix6szTyjg3vmx1sIj-Vfw

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rove McManus - Creating a Multi-Medium Career and Perfecting the Craft of Interviewing Jul 01, 2021

Show notes

Today we spoke with Rove McManus, an award-winning comedian, television and radio presenter, producer and media personality. His career has spanned many different platforms throughout the years. Voted most popular personality on Australian Television, Rove has called TV home but has expanded to create for standup comedy, radio, film, and much more. On the episode Rove spoke about how to get started in media and taught Ben how to hone his skills as a podcast interviewer and host.

You can submit your questions to Ben here: https://www.speakpipe.com/BenFolds

And check out the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ix6szTyjg3vmx1sIj-Vfw

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

George Massenburg - Building the Technology of Creativity Jun 24, 2021

Show notes

Today we spoke with George Massenburg, a living legend in the recording industry.

A world-class electronics inventor who created the parametric equalizer, he's designed, built and managed recording studios, and his George Massenburg Labs (GML) equipment can be found in nearly every notable studio in the world. He's a multi-Grammy award winner with hundreds of recording and producing credits spanning a 40 year career, working with leading artists in virtually all genres of music.

Currently a professor at McGill University in Montreal, George continues to innovate in the emerging art of immersive sound. Join us in discussing the science of sound and creating the technology to help push creativity, as well as seeing building the infrastructure of creative pursuits that can also be achieved in the future.

You can submit your questions to Ben here: https://www.speakpipe.com/BenFolds

And check out the YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9ix6szTyjg3vmx1sIj-Vfw

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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