Yellin’ For Jelen: An Interview With Ben Jelen

Hailing from the UK, Ben Jelen speaks out on his music, his fans, his love for Marmite and more.

Sha Hartley: What made you decide to study biology in college?
Ben Jelen: Well, it was kind of between music and biology, but I really wanted to kind of broaden myself. I was always fascinated in biology, even when I was a kid. I wanted to be a marine biologist when I was a kid, like go scuba diving. From there, I've always been fascinated with life and biology, so I really wanted to further into that.

Do you think you will ever consider a career in biology if you decide you don't want to make music anymore?
For sure. I was kind of interested at the end of it, maybe going to med school and being a doctor. For now, I think if I was to do something in biology, I'd join the research, probably like environmental research or genetic research, or maybe like alternate kind of research. You know, I'm pretty passionate about the environment and not totally messing it up.

Do you have any pointers for those that are in college?
It's all about balance. You know, you've gotta get your work done and you've gotta do well. You're there to learn, so you should try and learn and do well. At the same time, you've got to have fun and college is about more than just the classes. It's about learning about people and having friends and broadening yourself. You should take some classes that you wouldn't normally take, but you're rather more interested in, because you never know where it might take you.

When did you realize that you wanted to pursue a career in music?
During college, I started working in recording studios and my first job was an internship. It was one of those moments in my life where I walked in there and I kind of knew. I was like, wow, you know? This is where I belong and I really want to spend some time in the studio. I love the environment, I love the work. I love everything about it. Right from then, I was on a course of learning everything about sound engineering and production and I kind of continued all the way on from there. Even when I was in college in New Jersey, I was taking trips to New York all the time to intern in the sound studios. I think that's when I really realized that I would love to do music. It just became a reality and I'm still so appreciative of that.

Do you come from a muscially-inclined family or are you the only one who is really into music?
Well, my parents not so much. They just encouraged it. They always encouraged me playing music. I've been playing the violin since I was 9-years old. Actually, my dad and my sister are quite musical, too. My little brother...he's so good at piano and harmonica, so he's pretty musically inclined, too.

What was your reaction when you got signed to Maverick?
I was blown away. I was really happy. At the same time, a little surprised. It all happened very quickly. We sent these demos off and it was literally maybe a week and a half later, but we were flown out to Los Angeles and New York. We waited half an hour and like 15 minutes later, he said "Well Ben, you know, we'd be really interested in having you join us," blah, blah, blah.

I hope they would get the same thing I get out of music.

(Both laugh)

They were like "Amazing, we're definitely interested." I was elated. It was a great moment.

How has your life changed since you've been signed?
It didn't the minute change the minute I was signed. I was still catched working in the studio. I didn't trust it enough to just throw away my whole life and just do something completely different. I kept on working and you know, things started slowly, but I found myself, rather than working on sound engineering and production in the studio, I found myself being the artist, you know? Recording songs I'd written and kind of proving to the other side of the studio, so to speak. From there, just gradually playing more gigs, but you know, moving out of studio. Nothing's ever been too sudden.

Where do you get the inspiration to write?
Usually from something that happened to me, or someone that I feel close to, I'll write about them. I've been watching the news and I'll get angry at something I see and I want to make anyone that listens aware of that and that will inspire me to write lyrics. I'm a very observing person. I probably like listening more than I like talking. I listen to a lot of what around me and I also have my ears and my eyes open, so a lot of things could inspire me to write. It's whatever makes me angry, or whatever makes me sad, or whatever makes me really happy. Whatever makes me feel emotion, is what will inspire me to actually write.

Who are your musicals influences?
When I was really young, I listened to a lot of classical music, but the first CD I had that I loved, was War by U2. I love that album. They've been a huge influence ever since I started listening to them from when I was, 12 or so. I love that band, I like Coldplay right now, I like Sarah McLachlan, I like...who else do I like? Dido's new record is really good.

A lot I see.
Yeah, a lot of influences. Anything that crosses my ears is going to subconsciously influence me in some way, you know? Whether it's the music or the viewing or something they said. It all affects me, you know?

How would you describe your music?
It's pretty much singer/songwriter, but more produced. I started with more piano and vocals, but it's all kind of emotional songwriting that went into the album.

What do you hope people will get out of your music?
I would hope they get the same thing I get out of music. I hope that it inspires them or lets them know that they're not the only ones going through something and that other people have. You know, if it makes people happy or sad, or whatever the song is. I hope people put it on because they want to get in touch with a certain feeling or emotion. It's the same thing I love music for. I listen to it, because of the way it makes me feel. I hope that people listen to mine for the same reason.

Come On is the first single off the album. What made that song stand out from the rest?
I chose that as the first single because it’s the best representation of the album as a whole and me as whole. I went through a lot of different directions on the album and I did a lot of different types of music. It’s very piano-based. It’s a very pure song and it was written before I was signed or anything like that. It’s one of the memorable, catchy ones, too so, that’s kind of what made it stand out.

Any idea what your next single will be?
I have the feeling it will be Rocks but it might also be She’ll Hear You. I don’t know yet.

I’ve seen the music video for Come On and I have to say that it’s very unique. It’s different from what I’ve seen.
Oh, thank you.

I saw a lot of fireworks coming out of that one piano.
The video was crazy. So you saw the fireworks at the end of the video?

Yes I did. They had fire marshals on the set, didn’t they?
They did. The fire marshals were going crazy. They didn’t know what to do. They just stood over to the side. There were a lot of fireworks inside. (Laughs) They were standing there looking very worried, because there were the fire marshals and fifty other people ready to shoot the video.

(Both laugh)

I can see it now. The mind is a wonderful thing.
(Laughs) It was really funny. And I was scared too. I was like “You just want me to sit here with fireworks going off like in front our stage?” And they were like “It’s fine. It’s all rigged.” They had the fireworks on little strings, so they knew that the fireworks wouldn’t go off into the room, because they had strings and they had wet blankets, but it was still scary.

You play the piano and the violin. Which instrument do you like playing the most?
I’m probably better at the violin than the piano. I can just play the violin and it’s one note at a time. I like playing the piano because I can sing at the same time. Same with guitar. When I play guitar, I can sing and it frees you up. It depends on what you’re trying to do, you know? If you’re trying to play a melody, I really like playing the violin, because it’s just such a beautiful sound to me.

Are there any other instruments you can play, or is it just those three?
I play a little bit of others, but those are the three main ones. Those are the ones I played on the album. I play two tambourines, shakers and stuff for it, but those are my main instruments. I want to learn more though. I really want to learn the drums and I want to get into playing more electric guitar and I want to play the banjo. (Laughs) That’s something I’d love to be able to play. There’s so many instruments I want to learn.

For your future records, do you plan on having them be piano-driven or do you want to expand your guitar playing?
I'm hoping to expand my guitar playing. Good question. This album is mostly written on piano, but I’d imagine the next record, judging by what I’ve playing so far, is that it may be a more guitar-driven record. But I’d never like, leave piano off of it I think.

What’s your favorite part about performing in front of an audience?
My favorite part is when…I hate when I can’t see people. I like to look into their eyes. Then I know that people are listening and really feeling it. And the whole room is like, sharing a common experience, including myself, you know? That’s the feeling I love the most. And I love playing with the band. I love when you’re with other musicians. I love that feeling of playing live.

Are there any rituals you do before you perform, like praying, or something like that?
I try to relax. I try to just stop thinking about whatever’s going on and leave everything behind when I go out onstage. I really try and let the songs speak for themselves. I just really involve myself with the band and get on the same wavelength as them, so that when up onstage, it’s just one piece of music coming out of us.

Would you do a collaboration with labelmate, Michelle Branch?
Sure. I know her a little bit, but we never talked about collaborations or anything. I think it’s still pretty early, but I totally see that happening.

The whole idea should be to make people understand that what's more important, is the music.

Speaking of collaborations, if you could do a collaboration with any artist, dead or alive, who would it be?
Dead or alive? Let me think…there’s so many people. Someone like Alanis Morrisette or like Sarah McLachlan or Dave Matthews would be fine. Two of The Beatles, Fleetwood Mac. I can name zillions. The Goo Goo Dolls.

What are the ups and downs of being on the road?
Well, we get to travel a lot, which to me, is really exciting. I love seeing new places. You get a certain amount of time to just play music and be by myself, but that’s one of the downsides. You spend so much time alone, that you’re just like, wow, it would be nice to like go home to and see my friends, you know? But you know, when you’re on the road, you’re ready for it and when you’re not, you’re at home, doing what you want to be doing anyway. So, I usually like going on the road, because I need the time alone and I like traveling and I like playing. I like having time.

Which artists would you like to go on tour with?
I’d love to go on tour with Coldplay, or maybe Travis. Coldplay or Travis would be amazing to go on tour with.

Some of your fans want to know if you plan on doing an international tour.
I hope so. I mean, there will definitely be an international release of the album and I’m assuming that that would be followed up by an international if everything goes right. It probably depends on how everything goes and how album sales do, but, you know, it definitely seems like, you know, whichever market really like the music and really show that they take it. And whoever they accept to go on a tour, I’d love to go on it. I’m definitely for it. I’ll be pushing for it myself.

Have you had the chance to meet anyone you idolize or admire?
Yeah! I met Alanis Morrisette, which was really cool. I met her way before this record deal was ever done and that was pretty cool because I remember really liking some of his records. No one else really. I mean, there’s so many people I admire that I haven’t met. I met Chris Martin of Coldplay, but we didn’t say much.

What would you say has been your most memorable experience so far?
From recording, or…

Anything. It doesn’t matter.
From recording, I remember this one time when we were recording Come On and it was one of the first songs that we did a whole string section. I was in the studio just watching all these amazing string players just play the music, and it just sounded so full and beautiful and I was just like, wow. This is really amazing and this such an amazing opportunity and I’m definitely gonna remember this very moment for a long time. I still do. It was really a great moment when that was going on. The video is really memorable. (Laughs) Making the video was a crazy day. Yeah, I’d say those are a couple of the more memorable times.

Have you thought about the costs of fame? If so, are you worried that you will be lost in the pop culture and be focused on only because of your looks?
I’m not too worried about it, because I definitely think that we’ve focused on the music and the album more, if any of that. And you know, it’s not a fabricated thing. It’s something from an album I wrote or songs that I either co-wrote, or chose to cover. You know, it’s a very personal album. I even produced some of it as well, so, I’m not too afraid of people saying “Oh, it’s just pretty face.” But as far as the cost of fame goes…to be honest, I haven’t thought about it. I do know I’m a very personal, quiet, shy person some of the time, so I hope I don’t ever get that taken away.

Some say that after you appear on a show like TRL, there will be many teenyboppers who will only like you because of your looks and not because of your music.
Right, but I mean, the whole idea should be to make people understand that what’s more important, is the music and you know, convince everyone to like the music. If I was a fan of a band and someone liked them because of the way the of they looked, I’d be like “Whoa.” I’d probably laugh if they purchased an album a few times, you know?

(Both laugh)

Some say it goes both ways, because if a lot of those fans that only care about your looks buy your album anyway, you’d still be making a lot of money.
Yeah, but you know, more importantly, they’ll hopefully be listening and get into the music.

Agreed.
And like music because of it. Become a music listener and someone who appreciates it and goes and follows it.

Yeah. What is the most insightful thing a fan has said to you so far?
Most insightful thing…one of the bests was, I can’t remember who said it, but someone said that I influenced them with the music. And that really made me feel good, because that’s such a compliment to me to have someone say that, you know? It was a really nice thing to say.

You’ve been pretty busy lately. Does it ever become too much or wear you down?
I think sometimes, you do so much promotion and everything, that the balance becomes really heavy towards television and radio.

What was the first concert you attended?
It was Paul McCartney. I was about 13 maybe? And it was brilliant. I loved the whole thing. It was amazing to be there.

Was that the best concert you’ve attended?
It was one of the bests, definitely. I saw Coldplay play a long time ago. That was also really amazing. I saw Counting Crows and they put on great shows too.

Are there any artists you feel don’t get the recognition they deserve?
I’ve seen people that are good artists in many ways, like amazing songwriters or amazing piano players, or incredible drummers or whatever else. And sometimes some situations don’t work out and you know, they don’t gain that recognition.

What's in your CD player right now?
The Rushmore Soundtrack.

Did you like the film?
Yeah, I love the film.

Where would you like to travel?
I’d love to see some of Asia. I’ve never been to Asia. I’m gonna definitely go to, if not on tour, I’ll go by myself at some point. South America, too.

Your fans want to know what Marmite tastes like. I’ve had it before and I think it’s pretty bad.
(Laughs) I think I’m about to become a Marmite sponsor.

(Both laugh)

It’s really salty. Actually, more than anything else, it’s salty. You put it on bread and you melt butter on the bread, on the toast. And you put a tiny, tiny little bit of Marmite on it. It’s not like you ever eat it by the spoonful. It’s just nastier that way. It has salty taste.

Yuck.
(Laughs) It’s a distinctive taste. I mean, you’d know it was Marmite and not salt, but it’s kind of just got this salty taste to it.

I had one taste when I was a kid and it was like “Okay, never again.” It just sat in the cupboard collecting dust for years.

(Both laugh)

If you woke up on it, you will. You know, I love it, because since I was kid, that was all I ate, you know?

Perhaps, but I remember that dreadful taste pretty well. Moving on, what’s the best advice you’ve been given about music and performing?
That if you really want to happen, it can. Use what you’re hearing to guide you. That always helps. When you’re performing, leave everything behind when you go out onstage and just sing your heart out, you know, because that’s what you’re there to do.

Here’s a deep one: what’s your philosophy of life?
That’s really deep.

(Both laugh)

I live my life by loving. I think that if any of us wonder why we’re all here, I think it’s to keep love alive. I think that involves not just romantic love, but you know, loving the people around you and being generous and giving. I think everyone—whatever religion they are—they have their own set of morals and I think everyone knows what being a good person is about. And I think that you need to stick to that and I think that’s what’s important.

In all, where do you hope your music career will take you and what is the one thing you’re looking forward to?
Well, who knows. I mean, I dive into things and I’m not sure about what I’m looking for, but I hope to improve on music and learn more about it. I want to change. I want to have different styles, you know? I want to progress and grow from the whole thing. I hope the career takes me somewhere different than where I am now. Not that where I am now is bad, but I want to grow and change and see different things from it.