Who's News
August 23, 2004
Get to Know Ben Jelen
TFK Kid Reporter Lily sits down with one of music's latest stars
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Ben Jelen (pronounced YEL-lin) is a musician who plays piano, guitar, violin, and sings. After moving from Scotland to England, he also lived in Texas and New Jersey. He now lives in New York. His debut album, Give it All Away featuring the single 'Come On,' is now in stores. It sold 9,000 copies the first week. TFK’s Kid Reporter Lily Wasserman recently got a chance to talk with him at Boston’s Hard Rock Café on the first day of his first tour.
 |  Lily and Ben talk about music. |
Ben: Not nervous, but I’m really excited about it. It is my first tour and today’s the first day so I’m really excited about today especially.
TFK: How would you describe your music?
Ben: It’s like singer-songwriter music. A lot of it’s kind of mellow, but with the band it gets more upbeat and fun and energetic but it’s all pretty emotional, deep stuff.
TFK: At what age did you start your musical career?
Ben: I started playing violin when I was nine and then probably writing my first songs when I was like fifteen or sixteen on the piano. I kind of taught myself piano. I started working in the studios when I was eighteen and recording and stuff, and pretty much brings me to where I am now.
TFK: If you weren’t a musician, what do you think you’d be?
Ben: I did biology in college and I still think I want to use that one day. I’d probably go into researching alternate energy or protecting the environment or maybe genetics. I was really interested in all that stuff and they’re important too so hopefully I’ll get to use that anyway or at least use my voice to bring attention to those things.
TFK: Who was your favorite musician as a kid?
Ben: I loved U2. They’re my favorite band. I love them. I got 'War,' my first album as a kid and I just fell in love with it.
TFK: Who’s your favorite musician now?
Ben: My favorite musician now is—there’s so many good musicians—I really like Sarah McLachlan. I’ve been listening to more and more Beatles recently, probably more than I used to just because I kind of started to listen to it more and grow into it. Coldplay’s really good. I listen to them a lot.
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Ben: I love being outside. I love running and rollerblading and hanging out with friends, going to the beach, being in the park, or if it’s the evening I love going and seeing shows and watching other bands play. I read a lot. I write a lot, stuff like that.
TFK: What’s your least favorite part?
Ben: I’m not sure if this goes for every musician, but my life’s been really hectic recently. There’s been tons of traveling around and I’ve never had a moment to myself. I’m one of those people who needs a little time to myself each day. Right now I’m putting in lots of time, but it will come back to me later.
TFK: Who’s your role model? Who do you look up to for advice?
Ben: I love Bono from U2. I think U2 in particular is a band where I really also agree with their political views and what they try to do to change things. I think they’re really great at what they do.
TFK: I heard you play guitar, piano, violin, and you sing. Which is your favorite?
Ben: Of all of those, probably singing is my favorite, but I couldn’t sing without playing piano or guitar. They’re all so different. It’s a hard question.
TFK: What qualities do you think a person needs to become a performing musician?
Ben: They need passion, they need to be inspired, they need to be pretty dedicated to it. There’s a lot of work that goes into it as well as practicing and everything. You need talent, musical talent. It’s something that you either have or you don’t.
TFK: What advice would you give kids who want to have a career similar to yours?
Ben: I would definitely say learn an instrument. Even if all you want to do is sing, it still helps to understand music. Even if you go and buy a four track just record a few pieces of your music here and there, that way you’re not relying on anyone else. I always was pretty self-sufficient when it came to recording. I was able to do it myself and that’s definitely helped me out a lot. You have to persevere with it. Nothing’s going to land it your lap. That pretty much goes for every job, I think.
TFK: What is your favorite sports team?
Ben: I love watching the world cup in soccer. I’m always routing for England or the Czech Republic. I always love the world cup and watching those teams play.
TFK: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Ben: South America. I think it’s fantastic. I see pictures from down there and it just seems magical down there. Never been. Can’t wait.
TFK: Of all the songs you’ve written so far, which one’s your favorite?
Ben: On the album, I really like 'Setting of the Sun' and I really like 'Falling Down. I like the quieter stuff. 'Slow Down' I really like. My favorites kind of change from day to day. They’re all fun to play with the band, but those are the ones that keep coming back and the ones that I like listening to when I listen to my stuff.
