Formed in 2014 Mikey Ball & The Company first came together to bring to life the songs of principle writer Mikey Ball, through the years they have evolved through line up changes until 2018 when they settled on the current lineup. 

Each evolution had its influence on the sound and stylings culminating in the high energy rock sound the band has today. 

Boasting passionate and energetic live shows that are always made unique by the band’s chemistry on stage. 2022 saw the band seclude themselves away for a week to record their new album. A collection of songs with themes of escapism, lost love, loss of youth and finding identity at the core of the infectious chorus’, thundering drums, rock solid bass and expressive guitars. Pure heartfelt Rock music. 

In this interview spotlight, I chat with Mikey Ball & The Company about the music, dream collabs, memories and more.

Full Q&A along with links and music below.

What’s something you’d like readers to know about your latest project?

This is the first single off of our new album ‘Through The Night’. Which we recorded all the tracks down at Axe & Trap Studios in Wells, Somerset back in January.  

How does this project compare with your other release(s)? Was there anything specific you were trying to accomplish?

For us and for me as a songwriter this is a natural progression. I certainly didn’t set out with any grand redirectional ideas, I just feel I’ve grown in confidence creatively and this is the voicing of what I’ve found I’ve wanted to say. In terms of accomplishment again it’s progression, it was clear early on that this song in particular (and the rest of the album) were stronger musically than previous songs, and for me that inspired me to want to push this release further than anything I or we have ever done before.  

What motivates you to create music?

I absolutely love creating music, it feels like my way of making sense of things. Of truly expressing myself. Don’t get me wrong, it can be a great frustration, especially when the dreaded writer’s block arrives, but in the end it’s a love. It’s a love for a way to say things that sometimes you can’t verbalise in normal conversation, or a way of processing life and reflecting. I’ve always admired how a great song can connect people. A great song is a great story, and sometimes that great story may not be that grand in its journey, instead it’s a story that reaches and connects with all of us. It speaks to our everyday experience. That’s my personal goal when creating music, is to create something that people can connect too. They can make the lyrics and the events and the metaphors their own. 

What’s one of your first or most powerful music memories? Did that play any role in driving you to create?

There are a few. One of them that immediately springs to mind was seeing Paul Rodgers at the BIC in Bournemouth. He came out to ‘Rock n Roll Fantasy’ and first song out his voice was so powerful. It was a masterclass in being one of Rock’s greatest vocalists.  

I think the most personally powerful would be when I first stood on stage at 14 years old in a pub, a local covers band had kindly allowed me to join them for a couple songs and while I stared at my shoes and just tried to play the right chords, I completely fell head over heels in love with being on stage. 

Lastly another strong memory has to be seeing Bruce Springsteen at Wembley back in 2013. I had missed previous chances to see him and for me ‘The Boss’ is one of all time inspirations. His command of the stage, his lyrical excellence and his dedication as an entertainer has always stuck with me. Perhaps the highlight of the mammoth show was when he came out after the five song encore, which was after an over two hour show, and he stood on stage, just one man where previously there had been about 18 performers. He stood there with his acoustic and his harmonica and led a near silent stadium through a rendition of ‘Thunder Road’. This sent shivers down my spine especially when he called for full participation at the climax of the song. It was something really special and will always be a source of inspiration. 

If you could collaborate with anyone – dead or alive, famous or unknown – who would it be and why? If it’s an indie/DIY artist, please include a link so readers can check them out.

For his sheer entertaining energy and incredible guitar skill, it would have to be Keith Urban. Again he’s such an inspiration, someone he really worked and worked for all he has and has come out the other side of that struggle a great entertainer.  

What was the last song you listened to? And who is one of your favorite all-time bands/artists?

Last song I listened to was Glory Road by the New Roses, recently got into them and it’s an infectious song. 

One of my all time favourites has to be The Gaslight Anthem, and they are due to make a comeback which I am very excited about. A truly great band, really authentic and honest with what they do. They are who they are, and it’s great.   

Where is the best place to find you and stay connected?

Would definitely be our social media pages, our facebook – Mikey Ball and The Company or instagram @_mikeyballandthecompany 

I really appreciate Your time. Anything else before we sign off? 

Just a huge heartfelt thank you to everyone who has taken the time to stream the single and watch the video. We are really putting our heart and soul into this and I’m so grateful for the support.