Today we’d like to introduce you to Ben Cook-Feltz.
Hi Ben, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started as a kid who loved music! In a way, it’s the only thing that’s ever made sense to me, from a very young age. I taught myself to play piano in grade school (learning tunes from Godzilla movies and Nintendo games), started writing music at virtually the same time, studied percussion in college, and at the same time started performing at local bars and coffee shops around my hometown of Cedar Falls, IA.
I moved to the cities for school in 2004, and have stuck around ever since. What’s gotten me to where I am today are three things – a love for music that refuses to go away, general persistence (I’ve simply never stopped gigging or making music), and doing my best to sound good and not be a total a-hole.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There have been bumps in the road. Perhaps even large sinkholes or tedious detours. I don’t know any artist who hasn’t felt frustrated at one point or another, be it by rejection, financial struggles, or simply struggling to have their work heard.
It’s a tough game. There have been many points where I’ve considered stopping, for various reasons. In all honesty, I’m sure I’ll feel that way again. And yet for some reason, I never have. There’s always another gig or another song, and the process and practice continue to bring me joy. As long as that joy outweighs the negative stuff, the struggles are worth it.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a songwriter, singer, piano player, and drummer. More or less in that order, except when not! I perform around town regularly, both as a solo artist/bandleader, as well as a side player for several other local artists (Jaspar Lepak, Haley E Rydell, Mother Banjo, and Art Vandalay). I’ve released seven albums, with an eighth, “Trucks,” coming out this October 20. I have a monthly standing gig at Dusty’s with Dan Gaarder (every third Sunday), and also host an annual holiday show, raising money for Rein In Sarcoma.
I think the thing that sets me apart, or at least what I’m known for, is a sense of joy and fun. I realize that sounds cheesy and vaguely indistinct, but it’s true – I love putting on a show, something that’s as enjoyable for the audience as it is for the players. As my longtime guitarist Cole once said, “We do things other bands only joke about.”
Our band has a theme song (thankfully my initials, B, C, and F, make for fantastic punk power chords), we’ll throw in ridiculous minor-key covers of Jimmy Buffett songs, and there may be surprise random trombone cameos and blues songs that are only 30 seconds long, etc. We’re professional players and we take our craft very seriously, but we also love to have fun and make it a memorable experience.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I do my very best to not be a total jerk. It’s unbelievably important. You can be the greatest player in the world, but if you aren’t pleasant to be around, it doesn’t matter.
Respecting everyone involved in the process – musicians, bookers, sound people, bar staff – that’s so crucial. Just being a decent human being. Persistence is a close second, but again, it doesn’t matter nearly as much as basic decency.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://bencookfeltz.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bcf_mofo/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BCFTunes/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BCFtunes
Image Credits
Tom Smouse and David Tanner
