Tyler Ballgame signs with Rough Trade,Honors Late Counselor in New Music
In a notable growth for the burgeoning artist known as Tyler Ballgame,the musician,whose real name is Perry,has officially signed with the esteemed British independent record label,Rough Trade. The decision was reportedly driven by a shared recognition for artists like Nick Drake and Arthur Russell, a connection Perry described as a “kindred spirit.” This partnership comes after a period of intense interest from various record labels, with Perry noting the experience as “flattering and realy crazy.”
The past few weeks have seen Perry and his collaborator record a substantial amount of new material, exceeding what would typically constitute an album. Word of Tyler BallgameS talent spread rapidly, culminating in a flurry of bids from record labels by last autumn.
During a conversation, Perry revealed a deeply personal inspiration behind his music: his former counselor, Courtney Huard. Huard’s life was tragically cut short when she was killed by her husband, who later took his own life. Perry learned of the devastating news through a local newspaper article from his home state of Rhode Island. The photograph accompanying the article left him stunned.
At the very moment he received the news, Perry was in the process of writing “Help me Out,” a song considerably influenced by Huard. He credits her with helping him realise that personal value is not resolute by physical appearance or external perceptions, factors that had previously hindered him from performing on stage. He shared that many individuals have expressed on funeral and obituary message boards how Huard “set me on the course of my life,” underscoring her profound impact. Perry stated, “She was a really special person, and it just shows how precious life is. so I live for her.”
Perry’s live performances have been described as captivating. During a recent show at the UnBarred Brewery, despite the warm weather, he took to the stage wearing a woollen jumper. His performance was characterized as “golden,” with his songs sounding timeless and his presence entirely mesmerizing. He previously spoke about his desire for a “flow state” during performances,aiming for a sense of being “gone,” where nothing feels “canned or prepared or contrived.” He elaborated on the concept of “real magic” occurring when both the band and the audience are in sync, creating a “celebration of the joy of performance and the joy of music.” The atmosphere at his recent performance was filled with this palpable joy and a sense of magic.
Tyler Ballgame’s new single, “New Car,” is available now. He is scheduled to perform at the End of the Road festival near blandford Forum on August 30th and at the Lexington in London on September 10th.
