Track of the Day: Nathan Ball “Borders” (2019)

Ahead of his debut Australian headline tour this week, UK-based singer-songwriter Nathan Ball has dropped his mesmerising new single, “Borders”. 

As singles go, “Borders”, is understated and subtle in style and the delivery of its message. Beautifully melancholic and ethereal, the tone is set by the guitars, but cemented through Ball’s atmospheric vocal melodies. Despite its subtlety, the track is quite a striking one, and with the right audience in place, I reckon you’d be able to hear a pin drop. 

The track has a strong (and arguably timely) thematic message at its core too. According to Ball, “‘Borders’ is written about a turbulent relationship between a father and his son, where these barriers exist between them which prevent them from opening up to each other”.  

To coincide with the single’s release, Ball is heading off on his debut Australian headline tour this week. It all kicks off in Sydney tomorrow at The Lansdowne, before taking in Melbourne, Port Macquarie, Byron Bay and finishing up in Brisbane on December 20th. Of course, he’s no stranger to Australian audiences, having earlier supported Ziggy Alberts on his twenty-five date sold out tour of Australia. So it shouldn’t be too much of a surprise if these shows end up being quite busy. 

“Borders” is available now. You can keep up to date with Nathan on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

NATHAN BALL / DEBUT AUSTRALIAN HEADLINE TOUR

THU 5 DEC | The Lansdowne, Sydney NSW
FRI 6 DEC | Workers Club, Melbourne VIC
SAT 14 DEC | Festival Of The Sun, Port Macquarie NSW
THU 19 DEC | Beach Hotel, Byron Bay NSW
FRI 20 DEC | Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane QLD

Simon Clark

Books Editor. An admirer of songs and reader of books. Simon has a PhD in English and Comparative Literature. All errant apostrophes are his own.