theSuburbs.org.uk

Lonely Avenue Sneak Peeks

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 17:05:36 GMT

Ben and Nick were on BBC2 a few days back and they reportedly played Claire's 9th and From Above. I, personally, am avoiding all songs I haven't heard yet. (Despite being in Chicago for all three nights and him playing them all pre and post show - couldn't hear it in the crowd). But sneaky people can sure find out how to get them. Ha. Then, today, a favorite music blog of mine, Consequence of Sound has Levi Johnston's Blues to be streamed. You can also stream it on the label's page. Remember, the record comes out September 28th! On new home of Nonesuch Records. Hopefully we'll get preorder information soon. Also, looks like Nonesuch is listing tour dates (only four) but another site to check.

Foldsby Record: Lonely Avenue

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 10:40:22 GMT

SEPTEMBER 28, 2010. Lonely Avenue, a collaboration between two eminent artists—American singer-songwriter Ben Folds and English novelist Nick Hornby—will be released September 28 on Nonesuch Records. The album features music and vocals by Folds and lyrics by Hornby, with string arrangements by one of the most influential pop string arrangers of all time, Paul Buckmaster (David Bowie, Elton John, Leonard Cohen). The record, which Folds made specifically to be listened to on vinyl, was recorded on 2-inch tape and will be available on audiophile-grade vinyl, cut with the Direct Metal Master process at Abbey Road Studios and pressed at Pallas Manufacturing in Diepholz, Germany. Lonely Avenue will also be available on CD, digitally, and in a special deluxe edition that includes four short stories by Hornby. The idea to create an album of Folds’ unique pop songwriting sensibilities with Hornby’s insightful prose was conceived during a dinner conversation between the two friends one night in 2009. After that, Hornby began regularly emailing lyrics to Folds, who then turned them intoLonely Avenue’s 12 musical short stories. The songs touch on subject matter ranging from a mother with a child in the hospital over New Years Eve to the work of Doc Pomus, lyricist of countless '50s and '60s pop hits. On composing the music Folds recently told Paste: “I kind of ran the gamut between being as simple as I’ve ever been, and sometimes having to go [Russian composer Dmitri] Shostakovich on some of them.” Hornby says of the pairing: “At this stage in my career, I want to collaborate with all the talented people I can find, and I’ve always been a big fan of Ben Folds’ music. It’s been a real privilege to watch and listen to Ben at work, and I’ve learned a lot about how proper songwriters like Ben think.” Also from the same source; Ben will be on 2010's Sing-Off. Source.

Foldsby Record, Touring, and Joe D's Merch

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 22:08:59 GMT

First off; Foldsby record is apparently being mixed. Ben was originally talking a March/April release - but that seems unlikely. However, definitely expecting to have the record before the year is out. Can you imagine three years with three releases of some nature? 2008 gave us Way to Normal. 2009 gave us Stems and Seeds as well as University A Cappella... and 2010 should have the Foldsby record. Secondly; Tour is about to kick off. Waiting on Andy to add the dates to the tour page (I don't have the ability to do that). But check through this thread to find all the dates. Three shows just added to Texas in the last 48 hours. Speaking of three shows..... In April, Chicago has three back to back dates. As a board we're trying to set up a meetup. REMEMBER, if you're going to a show this tour, please keep track of the set list for our archives! ALSO, If you were unaware, the tour is Ben Folds and a Piano Redux. Well, Redux added by me. Original tour of this name was when the Live record came out. Thirdly; Joe De Lorenzo (was on the road with Ben - with and without the five - for years) has decided to part ways with some of the most obscure memorobilia you may ever lay eyes on. Gig specific shirts, one night engagement tour posters... and apparently much more to come. Check out the sale of it all right here. Merch is official, site is not. Thanks to Makiko, Brooke and Stef for getting all of this to our attention!

Ben Folds and The Sing-Off

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 5:23:15 GMT

If you've been keeping up, we've recently found out that the rumors from earlier in the fall are true. Ben Folds is a Celebrity Judge on a primetime NBC holiday special. (This might, perhaps, be the the strangest true statement I've ever published.) The show debuts MONDAY December 14, 2009 at 8/7c, on NBC. Not sure if NBC will host the videos and/or will they be viewable outside of the United States. But, do be sure to check your local listings. The Sing-Off is an a cappella contest a la American Idol, America's Got Talent, So You Think You Can Dance.... etc. Luckily for us, in the way that it won't keep Ben for an entire season, and therefore off the touring road, it's only four episodes long. Monday's edition is a two hour commitment. The Live finale of the show is on the 21st of December. I, for one, am a bit miffed by this idea, understand why Ben was selected, just a bit surprised he agreed to it, given his self-admitted TV nerves. (See; You Don't Know Me antics and Pirate costume for Learn to Live.) Anyway, we all seem to agree that it's good exposure, even if the rest of the casting makes us want to cringe. Join in the discussion. On a completely other note Brooke and I, at SnuzzFest West last month picked up a few extra copies of, well more like Catie gave us more copies of, the newest Snuzz release; the Carving Pumpkins EP. So we're selling the last five we've got for $7 a peice (that's less than $1 a song). Message Brooke to purchase one, and for paypal information! Outside of the slight shipping cost all the money you send (and feel free to send more) will be forwarded on to Snuzz himself, who is now a month into his chemo treatments, which cost $50,000 a month. And really this EP is some of Snuzz' best work. Take a preview of the title track, easily one of my favorite songs of all time. It's my top last.fm song, if you really cared that much. The EP also includes a new version of a very old Snuzz song, The Apology, which Ben attempted to cover. Also, you can make direct donations to Snuzz here. Watch this awesome photo montage with more information, and spot Brooke and myself.

One Show Left This Year and Snuzz Fest All This Week!

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:08:28 GMT

By now you should have a bit of a feel for what Snuzz Fest is. If nothing else you should know WHO Snuzz is. Snuzz Fest West is THIS Sunday in Greensboro, NC at The Blind Tiger - 7 PM SHARP. At least a few of us from the boards are going to be there, enjoying the tunes from Tom Maxwell (of Squirrel Nut Zippers), Chuck Folds & Steve Williard, Robert Sledge, and Snuzz himself.... among many more - but those are likely the names you're most familiar with. Snuzz Fest West has the reunion of Bus Stop (early 90s band in NC that Snuzz, Chuck and Evan Olson were all part of.) All in all it will be a GREAT time. If you cannot attend please make a donation if you can to Snuzz's medical bills. You can also read all about Snuzz' condition here. Also this evening, November 5, at Brandeis University in Waltham, MA is Ben Folds' last announced show of the year. And via a small twitter conversation with Fleur she said that the proceeds from this show are going to Snuzz. Also Ben said in concert last week that the Foldsby record should be out in March. Though, I wonder, on what label?

More Updates (Foldsby and Snuzz)

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 23:22:28 GMT

On the 27th Ben debuted another new Foldsby track called Belinda. Watch it here on youtube. Download the audio rip from my video that Alexis was so kind to do for us. Ben seems to currently be in the habit of playing at least two of the three tracks we've come to know from the Foldsby project; Picture Window, Levi Johnston's Blues and this one Belinda. But you knew most of this already, didn't you? You came here for the inside scoop, I'm sure of it. What kind of Ben Folds site would we be otherwise? Well, I wouldn't be one to dissapoint. Mel was at Dallas' M&G last night, and she reports back that Ben said that the Foldsby record is due out, hopefully this coming March. She also states that Ben is still lableless (his deal with Sony now being complete, as we learned last April.) In OTHER updates. Upset you missed Snuzz-Fest like Ben was? (And most of us were?) Well there's a second chance! Snuzz-Fest-West is being set up for Greensboro, NC on November 8th, 2009. It's at the Blind Tiger, and will feature a reunion of Big Kids and Bus Stop (a band Snuzz was in with Chuck.) The Old Ceremony is on tour during this time, which means no International Orange reunion, unfortunately, but in my talks with Catie, Robert Sledge is scheduled to be there. (As am I!) Watch this space for more details as I get them. You can still donate here!!!!! Want a taste of Snuzz-Fest past? Here's Steve Williard (of Big Bang Boom, Amplify This.... etc...) covering Snuzz' "Somewhere Out There." On Facebook Video.

Foldsby Project Updates, As Well As People From Ben's Past

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 21:08:18 GMT

It has been published that the Hornby termed "Foldsby" project is slated to be released next year. “I asked Nick if he’d be interested in kicking out enough lyrics for an album,” said Folds. “He sends lyrics by e-mail. “When I have a moment I stare at them until I hear a song ... My rule is not to revise Nick’s lyrics.” Folds said the album was about half made and would include 12 Hornby songs. They are about the downs and occasional ups of life and love. Also in Japan (at a completely solo show - yeah, no Jared or Sam even), Ben debuted a second Foldsby track- Levi Johnston Blues. Which is a pretty snarky song about what Hornby imagined to be going through the former Gov of Alaska's daughter's child's father. (Does that make sense? The Palins are an interesting bunch). And luckily for us not in Japan someone recorded the show. So get that song here. The rest of the bootleg here, which includes a great version of Gracie, another Picture Window and Hiroshima in Japanese! Then in catching up with Ben's Past- One: Snuzz (you know, all around awesome guy from the Rockin' the Suburbs tour, not to mention International Orange - with Robert, Pots & Pans - With Ben, and Bus Stop - With Chuck... ) has been diagnosed with lymphoma, and a few key human beings (Cait and Django) have put together a Snuzz-Fest that you can attend in a few weeks if you're in the Chapel Hill area. Includes an International Orange reunion! Includes appearances by the new Robert Sledge Band! Includes Snuzz' all together awesomeness! Read more about North Carolina's hidden musical genius. If you cannot attend but would like to make donations to his medical bills, please do so here!!!! Two: Chuck Folds Five, I mean, Amplify This, has released a CD's worth of material, but in my conversations with Chuck they're not going to be even pressing it and selling it. But of course he wants it out there. So he gave me permission to upload it to wokeupwaytoolate. So COME AND GET ITTTTTTTTTT.

First Hornby/Folds Song to be Played Live

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 21:17:57 GMT

Ben treated us well in Chicago on Saturday. They debuted one of the new songs that they've been working on for the forthcoming Hornby Record (as we've been calling it at least). It's called "Picture Window" and of course Ben forgot some of the lyrics in there somewhere, haha. Overall it sounded way good, Ben's vocals were a little quiet so I couldn't make out all of it, but the chorus seems to be "You know what hope is?/hope is a bastard/hope is a liar, a cheat and tease/hope comes near you, kick it's backside/got no place in days like these" and you can watch it right here!

Folds/Hornby Record Making Some Important Steps

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 0:06:13 GMT

a highly credible source (meaning a certain Mrs Folds) tweeted this picture of her husband beginning to work on the collaborative effort between Ben and Nick Hornby. Other than that, I got nothin. Ben still hasn't emailed back our chat questions (though Brian did say he's working on them), but maybe during this time when he's off tour for a little more than a month he can fit us in. Also September 30th in Dallas (The Meyerson Symphony Hall) was announced today. The rest of the tour is currently listed here. 10/28 - Veteran's Memorial Auditorium (Columbus, OH)

Here's the Upcoming Schedule of Ben Folds Dates

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 6:04:50 GMT

July 11 - Old St Pat's - Chicago, IL 19 & 20 - Yokohama Arena - Yokohama, Japan 21 - Liquid Room - Tokyo, Japan August 7, 8, or 9 (not sure) - Lollapalooza - Chicago, IL 29 (maybe the 31st?)- Sydney Opera House - Sydney, Australia September 3 - Palais Theater - Melbourne, Australia 24 - Kennedy Center Concert Hall - Washington, DC 26 - Chadwick Hall - Crawfordsville, IN October 2 - Symphony Hall - Boston, MA 20 - Benaroya Hall - Seattle, WA 31 - Orchestra Hall - Minneapolis, MN