Today we’d like to introduce you to Christen Ball.
Hi Christen, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My origin story with music began before I could talk! My mom is a classical pianist/organist, and she would sing to me as a baby. I would try to sing melodies back to her…even before I could form words. Interestingly, years and years later…melodies come to me easier than lyrics!
In addition to being the daughter of a pianist/organist, I’m the niece of an opera singer and the granddaughter of a bluegrass guitarist, so music was all in the family for me. And, I not only come from a family of musicians, but a family of songwriters. My mother and grandfather wrote beautiful music…and with every song I write, I carry on their legacy. I actually wrote my first song at four years old, and fast forward to high school in Virginia, I spent my after-school days tucked away in my room writing song after song and playing them for anyone who would listen.
While attending college in Tulsa, OK, I discovered the beauty of playing up close and personal to intimate audiences in coffee shops. This carried over to my current life in Nashville, because my favorite kinds of shows are rooms where people are there to listen. I host a full band songwriter night in east nashville at Living Waters Brewing on the 4th Wednesday of the month, and I’m so proud of how our music community has cultivated a listening environment where artists and songwriters feel seen and heard.
Speaking of music community, this has been the first time in my life that I’ve felt such support from my friends-and-fans (whom I affectionately call, “The Ballers.”) I was recently asked to join the artist roster at Nashville Basement Stage, and they helped me raise over $10,000 towards my upcoming record. We just released the first song and music video for song one, “Easier This Way!”
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I think it’s safe to say that my career has been a straight but bumpy road! A straight road because the Lord has guided my path every step of the way. But, just as most artists have, I’ve encountered plenty of rejection. I remember in college, I didn’t even make it into the choir for two years! I used to feel quite overlooked in the Nashville artist community as well. I make alternative rock music, and so sometimes I feel so different in Nashville: country music city. (I’ve learned different is good and there’s room for every genre here!) Also, it’s taken me a while to get my voice under control. Some people just open their mouth and can naturally do what they need to. I’ve always been able to sing, but I compose complex, challenging music, and it’s taken me years to be able to pull off the songs I write! I took some voice lessons from Ivory Romance and this was a game changer! It’s never too late to keep learning. As far as other obstacles, I survived a difficult childhood which is a story for another time. But I’m thankful to have walked through the challenges life dealt me. Challenges have made me stronger and have given me compassion and understanding for others who have been through similar experiences.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As for my work, I’m an alternative rock music artist in Nashville, TN. I seek to combine high-energy performances with down-to-earth storytelling. My self-described sound is, “A Sonic Time Machine to 1997.” If you love Alanis Morissette, Jeff Buckley, and Radiohead, you might find something you love in my music! My latest single, “Easier This Way,” is a love letter to 90s alternative rock. My band and I had the honor of getting to work with an award-winning director, Jay Curtis Miller for the music video, and he had a vision to make the video feel like it would play on MTV in the 90s at midnight!
And as far as what I’m most proud of…I’d say I’m most proud of what my friends (my band, my producer Jonny Lucas, and my friends-and-fans The Ballers) have built together to make art with sound!
Any big plans?
My plans for the future are to continue operating in what I’m called to do: make art with sound! I’m also over the moon to be rolling out my new record one song at a time as well as continuing to play live for anyone who will listen!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://christenballmusic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christenballmusic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christenballmusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@christenballmusic
- Other: https://audiosalad.ffm.to/easier-this-way
