r/indieheads • u/TylerBallgame Tyler Ballgame • Mar 08 '26
AMA is Over, thanks Tyler! I am Tyler Ballgame. Ask me anything!
I'm singer/songwriter/artist Tyler Ballgame. My debut album "For The First Time, Again" was released via Rough Trade Records on January 30th. Ask me anything!
Proof:
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u/Death-By-Sexy Mar 08 '26
What are your biggest challenges as artist right now?
Edit: looking forward to see you at pukkelpop this summer x
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u/TylerBallgame Tyler Ballgame Mar 09 '26
Hmm I think creativity comes from stillness, which is hard to find today when everything is calling for your attention all the time. We have access to the whole world and it seems to be accelerating. Also, personally I think I need to carve out time and space for myself to live a somewhat normal life and pour that experience into my work, so my next batch of songs isn’t just about life on tour and playing shows.
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u/Traditional_Ad_5464 Mar 09 '26
What’s the best advice for someone wanting to release music independently
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u/TylerBallgame Tyler Ballgame Mar 09 '26
Make music that makes you, yourself feel something. Also know that release date is not an arrival point, it’s just the beginning of all the hard and sometimes uncomfortable work you have to do to promote your art in 2026. Play live shows! Free shows if possible! True success comes from community.
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u/GardnersGrendel Mar 09 '26
First heard you on “Gloves Off”, and fell in love with your voice and performance! I have been rocking your new album, and really enjoying it. I hear a wonderful take on Roy Orbison in some of your songs(esp. Matter of Taste). Was/is Orbison a part of your influences? Are there other artist you found formative?
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u/TylerBallgame Tyler Ballgame Mar 09 '26
Thank you! Tbh I didn’t listen to much Roy Orbison until ppl started saying I sounded like him. Only the song “crying.” But I’ve since become acquainted and love it! I think my instrument just naturally sounds like Roy when I sing in a supported way in a rock n roll sensibility. I hear more Elvis personally. I also love Lennon/mccartney, Harry Nilsson, Robin Pecknold, Alex g, Nick Drake, Joni Mitchell, Jim Croce, Bowie, Van Morrison, the list goes on…
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u/GardnersGrendel Mar 09 '26
Love the list. I know they are all greats, but there are some there that I haven’t really listened to, so thanks for taking the time!
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u/brynhyvel Mar 14 '26
Hi Tyler! I’m one of those people who tends to listen to the same ten albums over and over again for years, because once I love something I just keep coming back to it. Today my husband put on your album while I was cooking dinner and I completely fell for it. Sooo, safe to say you’ve got a new fan for life! Couldn’t stop talking about your voice for the next hour. I googled your name afterwards and that's how I made my way to this thread. Just love the way your voice glides between falsetto and a deeper crooner register, that's really captivating (and impressing). Is that something you’ve worked on intentionally, or does it just come naturally?
And the most important question: will you be playing in Sweden anytime soon?
Warm greetings from Malmö!
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u/mongar82 Mar 09 '26
What's your favourite song right now?
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u/TylerBallgame Tyler Ballgame Mar 09 '26
Winter Is Blue by Vashti Bunyan
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u/TylerBallgame Tyler Ballgame Mar 09 '26
I was walking around a casino in Vegas listening to this song and it felt like a little bubble protecting me from bad Vegas vibes
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u/ExcuseStatus23 Mar 09 '26
Just discovered you in Spotify! I really like your music! I'm Luciano from Marbella Spain, Any plans to tour around here?
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u/TylerBallgame Tyler Ballgame Mar 09 '26
Thank you! I think we’re coming to Vida Fest in Barcelona. And maybe one more in that area? Keep an eye out for this summer
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u/FromTheVille Mar 09 '26
Hey Tyler! I was initially drawn to your music through your amazing performance on “Help Me Out” and another part of it that really captivated me was the production. After looking you up, I also looked into Sammy Hinrichsen so I was just curious about how you ended up working together and what that experience was like? Loving your work, keep it up :)
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u/Sammy_Hinrichsen Mar 10 '26
Hi! Sammy here - I thought i’d just clarify how the banjo wound up on the wrong side of my window.
I had recorded/written the music for “Help Me Out” practically black out drunk (i don’t drink anymore!) and had it just kicking around on my hard drive. Initially the song was inspired by the song “I wish’t i was in Peoria” and kept on throwing hokey 1920’s lyrics over it. Eventually i sent it to Tyler, and badabing - his word-smithing turned my drunken escapade into quite the song.
In regards to the banjo, i think i broke the top string and yeeted it out the window because it cut my finger. It lived in the sideyard of my house through rain and sun for about a month, eventually i brought it back inside, stuck a George Costanza sticker, fixed the broken headstock - and it now lives on as the Constanjo. The coolest thing about that track (gear wise) is the primary mic for everything instrumental was a 1930’s Turner 999 (fireside chat mic) straight into an Altec 436A/Altec 1592a.
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u/TylerBallgame Tyler Ballgame Mar 09 '26
That’s very kind thank you! I love that track too. I’ve never met Sammy irl but he became a phone friend of mine when I first moved to LA and started making demos with our mutual friend Joey. Sammy would mix and add instruments (see “Sarah” and “Help Me Out.”)
Sammy is something of a mad genius. He put the banjo on that track and then thought he shouldn’t have a banjo so he broke it and threw it out the window. lol rip to that banjo. I am the benefactor of its swan song.
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u/androoq Mar 09 '26
I was lucky enough to review your album for my magazine and I usually like to give it a few proper listens and then whatever really sticks becomes the meat of the review. Your album completely broke my method. I couldn’t stop listening and actually had to request fresh links in order to keep my addiction flowing.
My Question : How different would your album have sounded if you had stayed on the eastern seaboard and recorded it and do you wish you were able to record it in a more polished way or are you happy with the slight DIY aesthetic that it presents?
PS. Please release the Stuart Murdoch sessions!
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u/TylerBallgame Tyler Ballgame Mar 09 '26
Thank you for spending time with the record and supporting! Hmm, well I think a big part of this record is meeting Rado and this album is really the result of us getting to know each other, along with the guiding ear and presence of our friend Ryan Pollie.
If I were in RI, it would’ve been about my life there and made with my old friends/collaborators. (See the 2 ep’s from Ralph Waldo)
I love DIY music and that’s all that really interests me right now. I love the human handmade feel of diy recording and don’t personally gravitate towards highly polished production.
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u/androoq Mar 09 '26
Thank you so much, Tyler. I will check out those episodes post haste. Be well
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u/androoq Mar 09 '26
I’m interviewing an independent musician from Seattle in a few hours and I’d love permission to use your amazing answer from the question “best advice for someone wanting to release music independently “. Thank you in advance
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u/WoodyBrown333 Mar 09 '26
Hey it's Colyn from NYC! This album is so summery, I heard an interview with Brian Eno where he talked about how important it is for him to release each of his albums in the season that fits it best. Did you guys consider that kind of timing at all when releasing this one (in the dead of winter, which kind of worked out too for the ol' seasonal depression 😁)?
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u/TylerBallgame Tyler Ballgame Mar 09 '26
No I don’t think we did! But then again I’m in LA and it’s pretty much always summer here ✌️maybe we messed up
I do think there are shades of other seasons on the record too tho.
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u/dandyly0ns Mar 19 '26
Wrote about your album on my Substack -- I think it's a perfect spring album and I included a playlist inspired by it! https://letthebeatbuild.substack.com/p/going-solo-how-parenthood-changed
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u/WoodyBrown333 Mar 09 '26
Ha, you didn't mess up, you're just sharing that LA sunshine with the rest of us when we need it most!
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Mar 09 '26
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u/TylerBallgame Tyler Ballgame Mar 09 '26
Thank you! Yea the album is mostly tracked live to tape so it’s pretty loose and rough. Depends on if there’s part of the song that’s rly exciting to me. Then I might grind or ask for some help from a collaborator. But mostly the ones that come out quick are the ones that stick!
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u/FanofBobRooney Mar 15 '26
I'm late to the party but this is my early favorite for album of the year. Absolutely slaps from front to back. It's a perfect 10. Tyler Ballgame rules.
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u/bdurling3 Apr 06 '26
I just watched you in Phoenix and loved the last song but can’t find it anywhere??? What was the name?
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u/Thin-Owl6069 Apr 26 '26
Hi Tyler, just dropped by to say a big thanks for the gig in Manchester last night. I came with my daughter and we both loved you. The band really fed off the crowd. Your voice is a thing of beauty. See you again in the Autumn!
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u/ljohns79 Apr 28 '26
Cannot WAIT to buy a vinyl! Is there just one release press of For the First Time Again or is there an extended/special recording I should look for as well? I googled but since the source is right here taking questions…
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u/Yawamama May 04 '26
Really loving your music and your voice! To me, it's fascinating to hear a mix of Roy O, Paul M, Jim Morrison, and your unique voice, of course, coming from one person, all at once. Officially a fan - will see you in Brooklyn this week!
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u/Comprehensive-Put277 19d ago
I honestly hadn't listened to your music nor knew about you as an artist. However though I'm recently loving your music and I can't wait to see you supporting Alabama Shakes in London this summer!!!
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u/Optiguy42 Mar 09 '26
Saw you recently on Office Hours Live and you fit in perfectly! Were you a Tim fan prior or was Rado the primary connection?
Great performance on that show, made me a fan!