Tyler Ballgame Interview

Tyler Ballgame’s rise feels almost mythic: five years ago he was in Rhode Island fronting a scrappy indie band, and now he’s arrived in Los Angeles with a debut that swings big and wears its influences proudly. During a recent session at KCRW’s Annenberg Performance Studio, Ballgame brought his signature theatricality (think David Bowie and the emotional force of Roy Orbison) filtered through a sun-soaked California lens. 2026 debut For The First Time, Again leans into a richly analog, ’70s rock palette—full of horns, warm guitars, and lived-in pianos—all in service of his striking voice. It’s a debut that doesn’t just introduce Tyler Ballgame—it announces him. Enjoy this session? Support KCRW's mission to share music with the world. Our non-profit radio station in Santa Monica, California has supported musicians and DJs for more than 40 years. Help us continue our music programming by donating whatever you can: https://kcrw.com/give http://www.kcrw.com Music | Culture | News | NPR