Exclusive Interwiew with Ben Jelen

I had mentioned before that we had some great things coming up here at Pop Culture Beast,. One of them I can finally share with you all. We recently were given the opportunity to pose some questions to Custard Records recording artist (singer/songwriter/pianist/guitarist/violinist etc..) Ben Jelen.

You might remember Ben's hit single "Come On" off his major label debut "Give It All Away" released by Maverick Records. Ben is now free from Maverick and has since signed with Linda Perry's own Custard Records. He has recently released his second studio album "Ex-Sensitive" which he produced with Linda Perry (4 Non Blondes). Ben was kind enough to take some time away from his touring schedule to answer some questions for us:

PCB: Can you tell us a bit about the new album Ex-Sensitive?

Ben: Ex-sensitive is my first studio album in three years and I’m very excited to have finally released it – the music has been getting a great response on tour. Ex-sensitive talks about how we don’t feel things as strongly as we did before being over-exposed them in our lives. War is something we watch on TV, and the scientific consensus on global warming and what it means for our future doesn’t seem to touch many people.

PCB: What kinds of challenges did you face recording this disc as opposed to your first CD with Maverick?

Ben:Whereas I made compromises to my sound on give it all away with Maverick, I set out to remain completely true to myself on this album, which with Linda as producer was less of a challenge than I thought it would be. Completing the album after my younger sister died ended up being the hardest part of the whole thing.

PCB: Did your recent trip to India inspire any of the songs on the album?

Ben: Pulse, the first song on the disc starts with an Indian tanpura drone which gets built on. I brought back some Indian instruments and music with me, and it all influenced me more than I thought on my return. Seeing the extreme poverty, environmental damage and how people live with that also came back with me.

PCB: You are passionate not only about your music but about politics and the environment as well. What are some of the issues you are supporting and want to get into the public eye?

Ben: I’m passionate about saving our environment. Its something that effects every single one of us along with the coral reefs and every beautiful living organism around. I believe that politics has to play an important part in logistically sorting out the billions of humans on the planet so we’re controlling our consumption and pollution. We’re in a particularly bad era of administration here in the USA as far as protecting the environment goes. We need to demand corporations stop ignoring these problems now.

PCB: One of the things I admire about you is that you make no secret where you stand politically. You are very strong in your opinions and openly discuss these things with your fans and the public. How do you feel when people say artists and entertainers should not be discussing "important" issues and should just "Shut up and Sing?"

Ben: Hmmm. How about “shut up and listen.” I believe part of the reason people listen to music is that they feel good when their own views are expressed and they feel part of a culture. I’m representing people that stand for understanding their own impact on the world. As an artist its hard for me to feel good about what I do if I know that our actions here are endangering life everywhere. I can’t help expressing that as a person and in song.

PCB: Back to the music: Recently, you recorded a cover of one of my all time favorite songs Joni Mitchel's River, a great job by the way. Can we look forward to any other cover tracks?

Ben: I also did a cover of John Lennon’s “Woman” on the Instant Karma CD recently put out by amnesty to help bring more attention to the situation in Darfur. I think I liked my cover of River better.

PCB: Any chance of a live album in the near future?

Ben: There aren’t any plans for a live album, but I do love my band lineup at the moment. Once we’ve had time to stick together as a band for a while, a live album would be great.

PCB: A lot of singers are making the jump into acting. Any plans of making any television or movie appearances?

Ben: I do look at scripts and parts and I enjoy acting, but to be honest am not good at it so the part has to be just right. I know when I’m excited about a script or a part and get an instinctual feeling of how to play it. I’m terrible at accents as mine is such a mix-up of English and American in the first place.

PCB: How about behind the scenes? Do you ever get the urge to try your hand at writing anything other than songs for public consumption?

Ben: Every song I write is to a certain audience, if only a person. I bet my favourite songs out there are the ones not intended for public consumption but somehow made their way to me anyway.

PCB: You are very close to your fans and frequently post with them on your message board. It's great you take the time to keep in touch with that community when a lot of artists don't seem to make the effort to communicate with their fans. Is it tough to balance that with the busy schedule?

Ben: The most time I spend with fans is after shows and on the internet. I love meeting anyone that has supported the album in any way. As an artist its important for me to break down the barrier with fans while I’m performing and that feeling comes with me off the stage as well.

PCB: Can we look forward to any collaborations or duets in the future?

Ben: Right now I’m focused on getting Ex-Sensitive out there. I love collaborating with other people. Much of Ex-Sensitive was just that. I hope to work with Linda further as well.

PCB: You're currently on tour and opened for the Police recently. Are there any other dream artists you'd love to hit the road with?

Ben: I’d love to tour with Tori Amos – I’ve seen her play and it was amazing. Touring with a band can be a great way to get to know them and their music. Opening on Pete Yorn’s tour is great – I’m in the middle of that now. Pete has a very calm energy and we all love the music and crowd.

PCB: Finally, what are you enjoying currently? Any special music, books, or movies that you want to recommend to our readers?

Ben: I just discovered Paolo Nutini, a Scottish singer at the Virgin Music Festival. Great album that makes you feel good.



Ben is currently on tour in support of Ex-Sensitive and also can be seen with Pete Yorn(*)

8-14-07 Carnegie Library of Homestead* Munhall, PA
8-16-07 Voodoo Lounge at Harrah’s Casino* North Kansas City, MO
8-17-07 Whiskey Roadhouse at Horseshoe Casino* Council Bluffs, IA
8-18-07 The Rave* Milwaukee, WI
8-19-07 The Basement Columbus OH

You can get Ben Jelen's new CD "Ex-Sensitive" at your local record stores, iTunes, or at Amazon.com

We hope to have a review of the album up soon.