The An undoubted musical highlight of 2012 was the reformation of one of the finest bands of the

1990s or indeed any era Ben Folds five. In this very special episode of

soda jerker on songwriting we sit down with Ben Folds, Darren Jesse and Robert Sledge to talk about their

new album, the sound of the life of the mind and of course songwriting in general.

How did you first encounter the band Bri?

Well I'd seen a couple of their appearances on UK TV in the mid 90s and being pretty

intrigued by what I heard. I remember specifically seeing them perform Kate on TFI Friday,

which was shown on channel 4 here in the UK.

And I really dug their vibe and Ben's aggressive

but still highly musical approach to the piano.

He was like some kind of geeky Jerry Lee Lewis.

And having only recently become a bass player back then,

I was struck by Robert Sledge's really up front,

and melodic style, and I really coveted that Les Paul Bessie

used to play back then.

And I recall them appearing on an old BBC music show called The Ozone.

Yeah, I remember the Ozone. Yeah, Jamie Thiekston,

Jay Middle Miss. But it was actually our old friend Chris Pye who introduced us to

them properly. I remember being at his house one new year around 99 2000 and hearing the whatever and ever

a men album which was the second album and I just fell in love with it and played it on

heavy rotation for months and being the completest I am I voraciously snapped up every other

release that bore their name. I also became a frustrated keyboard player at that

...