In his highly anticipated debut album, For the First Time, Again, singer-songwriter Tyler Ballgame offers a vibrant collection of songs that blends classic rock, indie, and Americana. Releasing on January 30, 2026, via Rough Trade Records.
The album’s lead single, “I Believe in Love,” is an upbeat, anthem-like track with a timeless sound reminiscent of classic artists like Lennon and Orbison. The song, which Ballgame describes as an ode to “love of love and the fools it makes,” was the first he wrote with the explicit intention of making a record. The accompanying video is colourfully super-charged with energy and a good dose of fun, thanks to the talents of his friends and roommates Joey Casale and Victoria Gagnaire Stein. It also shows-off Ballgame’s infectious live performance and his impressive vocal talent.
A significant factor in the album’s rich, analog sound is the collaboration with acclaimed producers Jonathan Rado and Ryan Pollie. Known for their work with artists like Miley Cyrus and Weyes Blood, the duo’s “analog fetishism” shaped the album’s sonics using vintage recording technology from the ’60s and ’70s. This approach, along with contributions from drummer Amy Aileen Wood and bassist Wayne Whitaker, gives the album a warm, authentic character.
Ballgame’s musical journey is a tale of perseverance. After struggling with depression and toiling in the cover band circuit in his native New England, he made a desperate leap of faith, moving to Los Angeles to pursue a new life. This move proved to be a pivotal moment, as he began performing his own songs at open mics, building a community and a following that eventually led him to Rado and Pollie. His story is the very essence of the album, which he says is about “the nature of risk, and the nature of betting on yourself.”
Following a successful UK and European tour, Ballgame will be touring the US with The Head and the Heart and appearing at Austin City Limits. He has also announced a UK headline tour for April 2026, with tickets going on sale this Friday.
Pre-Order the album: https://tylerballgame.ffm.to/firsttime
Tour Dates
2025
Sep 24 – Berkeley, CA @ the Greek^
Sep 25 – Sacramento, CA @ Channel 24^
Sep 26 – Paso Robles, CA @ Vina Robles Ampitheater^
Sep 28 – Los Angeles, CA @ the Greek in LA^
Sep 29 – San Diego, CA @ Gallagher Square^
Sep 30 – Phoenix, AZ @ Arizona Financial Theater^
Oct 2 – Albuquerque, NM @ Revel Entertainment Center^
October 5 – Austin, TX @ Austin City Limits
November 12 – Brooklyn, NY @ Union Pool
2026
February 20 – Tempe, AZ @ Innings Festival
April 13 – Berlin, Germany @ Kantine am Berghain
April 14 – Cologne, Germany @ Stadtgarten
April 16 – Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Paradiso (upstairs)
April 18 – Brussels, Belgium @ Rotonde
April 20 – Paris, France @ La Boule Noire
April 22 – Leeds, UK @ Brudenell Social Club
April 23 – Glasgow, UK @ King Tuts
April 25 – Manchester, UK @ The Deaf Institute
April 26 – Bristol, UK @ The Fleece
April 29 – London, UK @ Scala
^ = w/ The Head and The Heart