A Q&A with Jess Ball
Solo indie-pop from Melbourne…
What’s the title of your latest release, and what does it mean to you?
My latest single is called ‘Roundabouts’. For me, it’s about growth – recognising unhealthy habits and patterns, and having the awareness to move on from them.
What was the hardest part about putting this release together, and why?
I think the hardest part was navigating the shift from the dance music already on my profile into a more alt-pop sound. When listeners are used to one style and you introduce something different, there’s always a bit of uncertainty around how it’ll be received.
Who produced the release – what did they bring to it? If you produced it yourselves what do enjoy most about producing your own material?
The track was produced by 1 and 2 Productions (Richy Sebastian and Antoni Polimeni). I’ve been really lucky to work with them throughout my music career so far. They always bring extra ideas and little details I wouldn’t have thought of myself—like the brass in ‘Roundabouts’. It wasn’t something I initially heard, but I think it adds something really special to the track.
What do you want the listener to take away from listening to your music?
That there’s always room for growth and self-improvement, and that they’re not alone in whatever they might be feeling. Things can start to feel lighter when you open up and talk about them.
How does a track normally come together? Can you tell us something about the process?
Usually, I’ll either have a rough idea recorded on acoustic guitar, or Richy and I will start completely fresh in the studio, just playing around with different sounds. ‘Roundabouts’ was a bit different—I actually wrote it to a sample from Peebs the Prophet’s ‘Take a Moment’ because I didn’t have my guitar with me but still felt like writing.
What band/artists have influenced you the most since you started this project, and why?
I’ve taken inspiration from a wide range of artists across different genres, as I’d say my taste in music is pretty versatile. Specifically, I’d point to Cigarettes After Sex for their ambience, Olivia Dean for her honesty in songwriting, and Massive Attack for their experimentation with instruments and sound.
What countries would you like to tour? Are there any standout venues you’d like to play in?
Honestly, I’d love to play everywhere! Europe is high on the list, especially with my move to the UK coming up. Here in Australia, I’d love to play the Sydney Myer Music Bowl—it’s where I saw my first concert, Missy Higgins and Ben Lee, so it would feel really full circle.
If you could pick one track for our readers to listen to in order to get a taste of your music, what would you pick, and why?
I’d go with ‘That Way’. It’s my personal favourite and a great introduction to the new alt-pop direction I’m exploring.
What ambitions do you have for the band/your career?
Honestly, being able to write songs every day and perform / have them heard around the world would be an absolute dream.
Finally, as you leave the stage, what are your parting words?
Thank you for listening and get ready for a whole lot more to come in 2026!
Find out more about Jess Ball at jessballmusic.com
