Music
Press
Award-winning local rockers Ballista are on the fast track for stardom if their disc “New Beginnings” is any indication. Strongly recalling the likes of Incubus and Linkin Park from the get-go, this Oklahoma City-based quartet throws down melodic, straight-ahead rock over the course of 8 tracks. Catch their impressive live show if you can. - Oklahoma Gazette (9/15/04)
4 out of 5 stars – “New Beginnings” is funk-metal at full throttle. The OKC band's knack for no-bull-shit, slamming lyrically fueled rock has “a rhythm for ya baby” and it's hot! Hooked out and polished with solid harmonies, Rick DuVall's vocals recall an early Brandon Boyd (Incubus) and Todd Lewis (Toadies), backed by a splash of 311, especially on “Save Me”. Just as the song, “Rhythm For You”, suggests, rhythm is central to “New Beginnings”. The guitar plays more into the songs than in previous recordings, resulting in punching riffs and open melodies (“I Should Have Known”). It's a fine album and “New Beginnings” is an apt title. - VOX Magazine (9/15/04)
Ballista, although having been around for a handful of years, still have this "new" feeling to their sound. The tight band writes quality music and impresses with their variety of sounds. At times, leaning a bit towards a 311 sound. At others, leaning towards an Incubus sound. But, overwhelmingly a Ballista sound. There's a crunchy-rock and groovy feel to this album that keeps the record moving throughout.
Starting off the CD is the rocker "Stargaze", which is quickly followed by "Rhythm For You," which contains DC Talk Supernatural-style harmonies. On "New Beginnings," singer Rick DuVall belts out an inspiring "It's my favorite day! It's my favorite day!" The big hit of this album, "I Should Have Known," includes the heart-tugging lyrics that everyone can relate to: "You let me down/You let me down".
One shocking revelation is that such a quality-sounding CD was mostly self-recorded and mixed in DuVall's house. This just goes to show that you can produce your own CD...and make it sound good too.
The harmonizing on this album is fantastic. Ballista knows exactly when and where to throw in background vocals and harmonies. If there's one thing I dislike about this album, its the occasional rock-rapping by DuVall. Not just the fact that he's rock-rapping, but it's obvious that he's capable of so much more with his voice.
New Beginnings is a fairly short CD, clocking in just over 28 minutes, but is well worth the buy and listen.
- OklahomaRock.com
Discography
The Make CD (1996)
New Beginnings (2003)
Promo 2003
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Ballista
Some Accomplishments
March 2006 – Ballista was chosen to be 1 of 32 bands out of hundreds of entries to participate in Oklahoma City radio station 94.7 the Buzz's annual March Bandness competition. Based on listener votes Ballista progressed to the 2nd round – the top 16 bands.
2006 Payne County Line (http://www.paynecountyline.com) Oklahoma Music Awards: Ballista - Rock Band of the Year, Rick DuVall – Songwriter of the Year, Mike Lovelace – Electric Guitarist of the Year
Played East Bricktown Music Festival – Oklahoma City, OK – 8/20/2005
Accepted as a showcasing artist into Diversafest (Dfest) Music Festival 2005 in Tulsa, OK - http://www.dfest.com/ - Ballista’s second time to showcase at this festival – June 2005
Opening act for Midnight To Twelve – 4/22/2005
Opening act for Local H – 4/17/2005
March 2005 - One of the final eight bands in Oklahoma City's 94.7 the Buzz's March Bandness contest – 32 bands are chosen by the station from a pool of hundreds of entries. Each week in March half the bands with the fewest listener votes on the Buzz's website are dropped out.
Opening act for Uncle Kracker – 10/21/2004
Song included on short film “Mimesis” soundtrack
Signed publishing deal with IGF Entertainment, New York 9/2004 (http://www.igfentertainment.com/)
Accepted into Diversafest Music Festival 2004 in Tulsa, OK – find out more at: http://www.dfest.com/
Won the Oklahoma “got milk?” Shake Stuff Up Tour Battle of the Bands – 2004 – find out more at: http://www.whymilk.com/
Scored and wrote songs for the award-winning movie Valence Theory (Best Oklahoma Feature – Bare Bones Film Festival 2004) – find out more at the official website: http://www.valencetheory.com/ or the on the Internet Movie Database: http://www.imdb.com/
New Artist Radio’s “Alternative Rock Artist of the Year 2003” and “Rock Entertainer of the Year 2003”, Ballista’s song “I Should Have Known” was voted #1 on NAR’s top 40 for two weeks based on listener votes in the same year – http://www.newartistradio.net/
Reviews
Oklahoma Gazette (9/15/04 issue): Award-winning local rockers Ballista are on the fast track for stardom if their disc “New Beginnings” is any indication. Strongly recalling the likes of Incubus and Linkin Park from the get-go, this Oklahoma City-based quartet throws down melodic, straight-ahead rock over the course of 8 tracks. Catch their impressive live show if you can.
VOX Magazine (9/15/04 issue): 4 out of 5 stars – “New Beginnings” is funk-metal at full throttle. The OKC band's knack for no-bull-shit, slamming lyrically fueled rock has “a rhythm for ya baby” and it's hot! Hooked out and polished with solid harmonies, Rick DuVall's vocals recall an early Brandon Boyd (Incubus) and Todd Lewis (Toadies), backed by a splash of 311, especially on “Save Me”. Just as the song, “Rhythm For You”, suggests, rhythm is central to “New Beginnings”. The guitar plays more into the songs than in previous recordings, resulting in punching riffs and open melodies (“I Should Have Known”). It's a fine album and “New Beginnings” is an apt title.
OklahomaRock.com (9/22/04): Ballista, although having been around for a handful of years, still have this "new" feeling to their sound. The tight band writes quality music and impresses with their variety of sounds. At times, leaning a bit towards a 311 sound. At others, leaning towards an Incubus sound. But, overwhelmingly a Ballista sound. There's a crunchy-rock and groovy feel to this album that keeps the record moving throughout.
Starting off the CD is the rocker "Stargaze", which is quickly followed by "Rhythm For You," which contains DC Talk Supernatural-style harmonies. On "New Beginnings," singer Rick DuVall belts out an inspiring "It's my favorite day! It's my favorite day!" The big hit of this album, "I Should Have Known," includes the heart-tugging lyrics that everyone can relate to: "You let me down/You let me down".
One shocking revelation is that such a quality-sounding CD was mostly self-recorded and mixed in DuVall's house. This just goes to show that you can produce your own CD...and make it sound good too.
The harmonizing on this album is fantastic. Ballista knows exactly when and where to throw in background vocals and harmonies... New Beginnings is a fairly short CD, clocking in just over 28 minutes, but is well worth the buy and listen.
Critiques from experienced music professionals with TAXI
(http://www.taxi.com/)
Ballista had songs forwarded to Epic Records via TAXI in May 2004.
Song: Stay
TAXI Comments: “The vocal harmonies are confident and well executed. This kind of reminds me of a lighter Incubus.”
Song: Shades of Gray
TAXI Comments: “This song has a good solid groove. I also like the mood that has been captured here.”
Song: New Beginnings
TAXI Comments: “I like the more aggressive guitar in this one. It adds a nice dimension to the vocals.”
Song: Believe This
TAXI Comments:
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