The Hollywood Reporter’s Live Feed is reporting that, as anticipated, NBC Television is renewing the a cappella competition show The Sing-Off for a second season. The first season starred Ben Folds as one of the panel of three judges who critiqued and ranked eight a cappella groups from around the country. No confirmation yet as to whether Ben will judge the second season but he was open to it as long as his schedule permits and the details could be worked out.
Look out Gemini, here comes Big Bang Boom
Ben’s brother Chuck Folds and his kids’ band, Big Bang Boom, have released a video in support of their latest effort, Why Can’t I Have Ice Cream?. It’s lively music that the kids are boppin’ to, but the parents can enjoy as well (and no salty language, unlike his little brother). Chuck (bass) is joined by longtime Folds family collaborators Snüzz doing vocals and electronics, drummer Eddie Walker, and guitarist/vocalist Steve Williard, along with Merritt Partridge, John Seagle, Tiger Butler and Scott Manring on banjo (what would a kids’ band be without a banjo?). Chuck is the guy in the orange shirt that kinda looks like Merton, er, Ben.
Who’s that mysterious piano player?
For a week or so now, there has been speculation that none other than Ben himself has been on the random one-on-one chat service Chatroulette, making up songs at the piano in response to suggestions by random participants. The guy looks a bit like Ben, plays the piano sort of like him, and actually sounds somewhat like him too. But, as Ben confirms, he’s not the one calling himself ‘Merton’ serenading random strangers. Drummer Sam Smith points out that in a post on Drowned in Sound as well as on The Huffington Post, Ben is featured in a video clip from the Charlotte show paying tribute to ‘Merton’ in an improv tune of his own. Watch the original Chatroulette clip on YouTube. Salon.com has an interview with the real Merton about the whole affair and what’s been happening. And Ben’s about to move along past the Chatroulette fad, posting the Chatroulette Endmost Piano Ode, recorded at the Charlottesville and Richmond shows.
Folds/Hornby project update
Recording is finished for the Ben Folds/Nick Hornby collaboration and the tracks have been sequenced. Ben plans to finish mastering it after the tour. The album name has yet to be determined also, but the track names are:
- Working Day
- Picture Window
- Levi Johnston’s Blues
- Your Dogs
- Doc Pomus
- Practical Amanda
- Claire’s Ninth
- Password
- From Above
- Saskia Hamilton
- Belinda
- Belindaaaaaaaah
