Ben Folds is an American songwriter and pop-pianist. He first gained notoriety as the frontman of the alt-rock piano-centric group Ben Folds Five, who produced three albums from 1995 to their break up in 2000.

Folds further solidified public presence following the split with his successful solo career. His first solo album, Rockin' The Suburbs, was released on September 11, 2001, and has since been followed by five studio albums, three extended plays, one live release and a compilation album encompassing his work from both his solo career and his time with BFF.

One significant release is Folds' 2010 collaboration with author Nick Hornby, Lonely Avenue. The album, an experiment of sorts, combines Folds' musicality with Hornby’s lyrical stylings, creating something altogether unique in Folds' catalogue.

The 2011 announcement of a new Ben Folds Five album, The Sound of The Life of The Mind, put Folds' solo work on a temporary hold. Ben Folds Five went on hiatus following their 2013 promotional tour, leaving Folds to return to his solo career with his 2015 chamber-pop record, So There.