Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
@benfoldsTV reflects on growing up in North Carolina, Chapel Hill’s indie explosion and risks that defined his career—from Ben Folds Five to orchestral work. With humor and insight, he shares how creative visualization, reinvention and embracing uncertainty have shaped his sound for decades. Hosted by PBS NC’s James Mieczkowski.
Watch Ben Folds perform: youtu.be/1ps2aCcbvXQ
From the podcast:
00:00 – Ben Folds on growing up in NC
7:20 – Learning how to play piano
10:00 – Chapel Hill in the 90s & Ben Folds Five
19:05 – Creative visualization & going solo
43:28 – The next chapter: musicals, comedy & the future
46:36 – The Shaped by Sound setlist
Shaped by Sound
This PBS NC original series, which spotlights North Carolina’s thriving music scene, features artists from a broad range of genres, including indie rock, hip-hop, R&B, alt-country, jazz, bluegrass and folk. Each episode weaves a visually stunning live studio performance by an NC artist or band with an intimate conversation about their creative journey.
Shaped By Sound is a co-production of PBS North Carolina and the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. The series is presented by Come Hear North Carolina.
Subscribe to the PBS North Carolina channel: youtube.com/@MyPBSNC
FOLLOW US
Official Website: pbsnc.org/watch/shaped-by-sound
Instagram: instagram.com/MyPBSNC
Facebook: facebook.com/MyPBSNC
Email Newsletter: pbsnc.org/signup
Enjoy full episodes of your favorite PBS shows anytime, anywhere with the free PBS App: pbsnc.org/app
This program is made possible by viewers like you!
Support PBS North Carolina today: pbsnc.org/donate
@benfoldsTV reflects on growing up in North Carolina, Chapel Hill’s indie explosion and risks that defined his career—from Ben Folds Five to orchestral work. With humor and insight, he shares how creative visualization, reinvention and embracing uncertainty have shaped his sound for decades. Hosted by PBS NC’s James Mieczkowski.
Watch Ben Folds perform: youtu.be/1ps2aCcbvXQ
From the podcast:
00:00 – Ben Folds on growing up in NC
7:20 – Learning how to play piano
10:00 – Chapel Hill in the 90s & Ben Folds Five
19:05 – Creative visualization & going solo
43:28 – The next chapter: musicals, comedy & the future
46:36 – The Shaped by Sound setlist
Shaped by Sound
This PBS NC original series, which spotlights North Carolina’s thriving music scene, features artists from a broad range of genres, including indie rock, hip-hop, R&B, alt-country, jazz, bluegrass and folk. Each episode weaves a visually stunning live studio performance by an NC artist or band with an intimate conversation about their creative journey.
Shaped By Sound is a co-production of PBS North Carolina and the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. The series is presented by Come Hear North Carolina.
Subscribe to the PBS North Carolina channel: youtube.com/@MyPBSNC
FOLLOW US
Official Website: pbsnc.org/watch/shaped-by-sound
Instagram: instagram.com/MyPBSNC
Facebook: facebook.com/MyPBSNC
Email Newsletter: pbsnc.org/signup
Enjoy full episodes of your favorite PBS shows anytime, anywhere with the free PBS App: pbsnc.org/app
This program is made possible by viewers like you!
Support PBS North Carolina today: pbsnc.org/donate
