Biography
Zach Balch
“When West Texas is in your blood, songwriting arrives like rows of cotton and Bible-belt Choruses”, says Zach Balch, a native of Levelland, a small town whose name holds no secrets. Born on Elvis’ 50th, graduate of Buddy Holly’s alma mater, and the grandson of a lifelong pianist and music educator, Zach cannot escape the influence that contemporary music has on his life. “As a kid, my grandmother would mash my fingers between hers and the piano keys trying to teach me to play”, he says. “I swore I would never play again, but when I see her now it’s my favorite thing to do with her.”
Now living in Denton, TX, Zach says “you have to notice the little things and create great stories out of them.” His songs are simple and honest, and he says they all come down to two things: love and spirituality, which he believes are the only two truths. “Everyone on Earth is searching for these two truths. I’ve been lucky to find out that they are the same thing.”
Since partnering with piano genius and all-around-nice-guy Ryan Pool in 2007, the two have pursued various avenues of musical styles, including blues, folk, pop, spiritual, and even the occasional light rock, before honing in on what listeners could only describe as Alternative Country, a la Ryan Adams, Pete Yorn. While the duo swore they would never be labeled as such, no one could deny their influence of southern Americana and folk.
Zach and Ryan are currently working on their debut full-length album, “Verses,” due to release this March. Produced by Scott Faris, of Fariswheel Productions and the Amusement Park Studio in Lubbock, TX, and featuring performances by Katie Howell, Joy Harris, Chris Balch, and Dallas’ own Aaron Hass.
You can hear the first three singles of their newest venture at zachbalch.com, reverbnation.com/zachbalch, or catch them at a live show in your neighborhood.
