We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Christen Ball. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Christen below.

Alright, Christen thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

Honestly, creative risk is something I deal with on a daily basis. I’m an alternative rock music artist in Nashville, TN, a place that is celebrated for being country music capitol of the world. For the career path I’ve chosen, at this point in history and in this region of the world, it would be a lot less of a risk for me to lean into writing, performing, and recording country music.

But this would not be authentic for me–because even though country music is wonderful, it is not what usually flows from the creative river God has placed in me. Ever since high school, rock music was what was real to me, and what has made me feel alive the most. When I am making or performing rock music, I feel the most myself. Sidenote: just last week, I sent a text to my live band after a performance with them saying that I feel the most “me” when I am playing with them. (My live band has been a huge part of helping me find my creative voice these past few years!)

By the way, don’t get me wrong…country music artists deal with lots of obstacles and risks, but leaning into doing alternative music in country music city is simply different kind of risk, in my opinion. It’s a risk for me to continue to dig my own lane in Nashville for my genre instead of moving somewhere else where alternative music is more popular.

Christen , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hi, I’m Christen Ball! I make alternative rock music in Nashville, TN. I’ve literally been singing before I could talk! I wrote my first song at 4, and started performing my own original songs in high school. I took piano lessons as a kid (my mom is a classical pianist and organist, and my aunt is an opera singer)–but it was the guitar that busted the door of creativity open for me. My grandpa, a bluegrass guitarist, taught me my first few chords after I was inspired seeing Hanson play live on tv acoustically on Regis and Kathie Lee! I fell in love with songwriting and performing my songs, and after college, I moved to Nashville, TN.

Moving to Nashville taught me the art of musical collaboration and over the past few years, one of my greatest discoveries has been the beauty of creative community.

Plus showcases and other gigs with my band, I host a full band writer’s night once a month where, in addition to playing my own songs, I bring in other up-and-coming artists. It’s a Nashville writer’s round but backed by a full band of live and session players! Through this experience, I love cheering on other artists from varying kinds of genres. These nights are one way that I feel that I help give people permission to be creative (including my band!!) A big part of why I feel I was placed on this earth was to give people permission to release the sound God has given them. I also hope I do this by leaning into my own unique sound which hopefully encourages other fellow “mold breakers,” too.

My biggest influences have been Alanis Morissette, Radiohead, and Jeff Buckley–I stand on the shoulders of those artists who have blazed a trail for “other” “different” and “out of the norm.”

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

A few years ago, I was at the Church of the Annunciation overseas, and saw all of this beautiful artwork lined up outside the church. As I gazed upon this interesting creative images, I felt like the Lord spoke to my heart and said, “Do this with sound.”

That’s what I hope I’m doing making the kind of music I am making!

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect for me is getting to collaborate with other musicians live and in the studio! I am filled with joy when I play with my live band and it is such an honor when I get to work on my songs in the studio with my producers.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.christenballmusic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christenballmusic
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christenballmusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/christenballmusic

Image Credits

1st photo by Josée Klein