# Ball Park Music

Ball Park Music is an Australian five-piece indie rock band from Brisbane consisting of Sam Cromack, Jennifer Boyce, Paul Furness, Dean Hanson and Daniel Hanson. Since forming in 2008, the band has released seven studio albums. Their debut, Happiness and Surrounding Suburbs (2011), was nominated for Australian Album of the Year at the J Awards, and its 2012 follow-up, Museum, debuted at number nine on the ARIA charts. Their third album, Puddinghead (2014), was supported by the certified-platinum lead single "She Only Loves Me When I'm There".
Their experimental fourth album Every Night the Same Dream (2016) was praised for its psychedelic rock influence. In 2018, the band released Good Mood, a return to their familiar indie pop sound. Its platinum lead single "Exactly How You Are" polled at number 18 in the Triple J Hottest 100 of 2017, and led the record to critical acclaim with three ARIA Award nominations. In 2020, they released their sixth studio album, Ball Park Music, supported by "Cherub" which polled at number four in the Hottest 100 of 2020. It won Album of the Year at the Queensland Music Awards and peaked at number two on the ARIA charts. The band's seventh album, Weirder & Weirder (2022), was nominated for Best Independent Album and Best Rock Album at the 2022 ARIA Awards.

## Career
### Formation and early releases

Ball Park Music was formed in 2008 when all five members were chosen to form a band for an assignment at the Queensland University of Technology. Frontman Sam Cromack came up with the band name years prior as a teenager.
In April 2009, the band independently released their first extended play (EP), Rolling on the Floor, Laughing Ourselves to Sleep. It was quickly championed by Triple J presenter Steph Hughes, who gave an early version of "All I Want Is You" and "Black Skies" their first national airplay.
In 2010, the band released their second EP, Conquer the Town, Easy as Cake. It included the band's first Triple J hit, "iFly", which was added to high rotation and received a five-star rating from Richard Kingsmill. Another song, "Western Whirl", was nominated for both Best Alternative and The Courier-Mail People's Choice Awards at the 2010 Q Song Awards.
In October 2010, the band embarked on their first Australian tour in October with Hungry Kids of Hungary and Big Scary and released the single "Sad Rude Future Dude", which was placed on rotation by Triple J.
Ball Park Music was named as a Triple J New Crop artist ("one of the 20 best new bands in Australia") in November 2010. Further, they were the Queensland winner of a Triple J Unearthed competition and won the chance to play at Big Day Out 2011.

### 2011: Happiness and Surrounding Suburbs

In June 2011, Ball Park Music released "Rich People Are Stupid" which was put on high rotation on Triple J. On 24 June 2011, Ball Park Music signed to Sydney label Stop Start Music to release their debut album. "It's Nice to Be Alive" was released in July 2011, and its music video won the Channel [V] Ripe Clip of the Week. "It's Nice to Be Alive" was featured in the film Blended (2014) and the fifth season of Gossip Girl. The track reached certified platinum status in Australia in 2021.
The band's debut studio album Happiness and Surrounding Suburbs was released in Australia and New Zealand on 9 September and debuted on the Australian ARIA Album Chart the following week at number 36. Ball Park Music embarked on a four-date headline tour with Adelaide rock outfit City Riots on the How I Met Ball Park Music Tour, which was followed by another headline tour to launch their debut album in October with Northeast Party House and The Jungle Giants. Immediately following that, they embarked as main support for Boy & Bear on their "Moonfire Tour".
In November, Ball Park Music were named the Unearthed Artist of the Year at the J Awards, and nominated for the 2011 J Award.
In December it was announced that Happiness and Surrounding Suburbs was voted number 10 in Triple J's Top 10 Albums of 2014 and number two in The AU Review's album poll. To finish off 2011, the band played Peats Ridge Festival and Pyramid Rock in Brisbane.

### 2012: Museum

Ball Park Music began 2012 by announcing The 180° Tour, described as "their most ambitious tour yet", with 14 dates supported by Nantes and Cub Scouts. The band was also added to the 2012 Groovin' the Moo line-up as well as Splendour in the Grass.
On 23 March 2012, Ball Park Music performed on Triple J's live music segment Like a Version, where they performed their single "All I Want Is You" followed by a cover of the Flaming Lips song "Do You Realize??".
On 20 July 2012, it was announced that the band would release new music and released the single "Surrender" leading into their set at Splendour in the Grass. It was followed by the announcement of a second album. Museum was released in Australia on 5 October 2012 and it was named Triple J's Feature Album the following week. The album peaked at number nine on the ARIA charts.
On 21 September 2012, it was announced that the band would be supporting Weezer on their 2013 Australian tour, alongside Cloud Control.

### 2013–2014: Puddinghead

On 14 February 2014, the band issued the lead single to their third studio album. "She Only Loves Me When I'm There" debuted at number 70 on the ARIA Singles Chart and reached certified platinum status in 2021. Second single "Trippin' the Light Fantastic" was released in May 2014. Ball Park Music's first self-produced album, Puddinghead was released on 4 April 2014. It peaked at number 2 on the ARIA Albums Chart, and was nominated for Best Rock Album at the 2014 ARIA Awards. At the 2014 J Awards, the record was nominated for Australian Album of the Year.

### 2015–2016: Every Night the Same Dream

Following a brief hiatus and "some hurdles writing this record", the band's fourth studio album, Every Night the Same Dream, was released on 19 August 2016. It was preceded by seven-minute single "Pariah" and "Nihilist Party Anthem". The album, which sonically takes on a more psychedelic rock sound, was met with acclaim. It debuted at number 3 on the ARIA Albums Chart.

### 2017–2018: Good Mood

In September 2017, Ball Park Music released "Exactly How You Are", the lead single to their fifth studio album. The song would later poll at number 18 in the Hottest 100 of 2017, and reach certified platinum status in Australia in 2021. "The Perfect Life Does Not Exist" was released in December 2017 as the second single. Good Mood was released on 16 February 2018, supported by a national tour in February and March with Ali Barter and Hatchie. "Hands Off My Body" was added to the official NBA 2K19 soundtrack, curated by Travis Scott. The album was nominated in three categories at the ARIA Music Awards of 2018 – Producer of the Year, Engineer of the Year and Best Cover Art.

### 2019–2020: Ball Park Music

The band's sixth album was announced with the title of Mostly Sunny in March 2020, alongside the release of single "Spark Up!". The following month, the band announced they were changing the title of the upcoming album to Ball Park Music. It was their first album to be released independently under their own label, Prawn Records.
A scheduled tour was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, although the release of the self-titled album in October 2020 was followed by a concert residency at a venue in Brisbane. The album included the track "Cherub", which was considered a strong contender to reach #1 in the lead-up to the Triple J Hottest 100, 2020. It placed on the list at #4, beating their previous best, "Exactly How You Are", from 2017.

### 2021–2022: Weirder & Weirder

On 26 October 2021, the band released single "Sunscreen". It later polled at number 21 on Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2021. The band's seventh studio album was announced on 14 February 2022 with the title of Weirder & Weirder, originally set for release on 3 June 2022, however, it was pushed forward a week to 27 May 2022. The announcement came with dates for a new Australian tour. The album's second single "Stars In My Eyes" was released on 24 February. The song has been favoured by various publications to win the Hottest 100 of 2022. The third single, "Manny" was released on 6 May.
The band performed live in Sydney for the ABC's New Years' Eve concert on 31 December 2022. They performed originals "Stars In My Eyes", "Trippin' the Light Fantastic" and "It's Nice to Be Alive", as well as "The Real Thing" by Russell Morris and "Even When I'm Sleeping" by Leonardo's Bride.

### 2023–present: Like Love

In February 2025, the group announce the forthcoming release of Like Love, scheduled for release on 4 April 2025. The album is preceded by the title track and "Please Don't Move to Melbourne".

## Band members

* Sam Cromack – lead vocals, lead guitar (2008–present)
* Jennifer Boyce – bass guitar, backing vocals (2008–present)
* Paul Furness – keyboards, trombone (2008–present)
* Dean Hanson – rhythm guitar, bass guitar, backing vocals (2008–present)
* Daniel Hanson – drums, backing vocals (2008–present)
Former members
* Brock Smith – lead and rhythm guitar (2008–2011)

### Other projects

Ball Park Music occasionally perform secret shows under the moniker of the Pizzas, a group described as "Brisbane's most elusive and cheesiest band".
Cromack records his solo work under the moniker My Own Pet Radio and has released three solo albums, Suburban Lemon Shops and the Bruxer in My Bed (2009), Unidentified Flying Collection of Songs (2010) and Goodlum (2015). Boyce also records solo work under the moniker Little Planes Land.

## Discography

* Happiness and Surrounding Suburbs (2011)
* Museum (2012)
* Puddinghead (2014)
* Every Night the Same Dream (2016)
* Good Mood (2018)
* Ball Park Music (2020)
* Weirder & Weirder (2022)
* Like Love (2025)

## Awards and nominations
### AIR Awards

The Australian Independent Record Awards (known colloquially as the AIR Awards) is an annual awards night to recognise, promote and celebrate the success of Australia's independent music sector.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
| 2012 | Themselves | Best Independent Artist | Nominated |
| 2021 | Ball Park Music | Independent Album of the Year | Nominated |
| 2023 | Weirder & Weirder | Best Independent Rock Album or EP | Nominated |

### APRA Awards

The APRA Awards are presented annually from 1982 by the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA), "honouring composers and songwriters".
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
| 2019 | "Exactly How You Are" (Sam Cromack) | Song of the Year | Shortlisted | |

### ARIA Music Awards

The ARIA Music Awards is an annual ceremony presented by Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), which recognise excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of the music of Australia. They commenced in 1987.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
| 2014 | Puddinghead | Best Rock Album | Nominated |
| 2016 | Every Night the Same Dream | Best Rock Album | Nominated |
| 2021 | Ball Park Music | Best Independent Release | Nominated |
| 2021 | Ball Park Music | Best Rock Album | Nominated |
| 2021 | Ball Park Music - The Residency | Best Australian Live Act | Nominated |
| 2022 | Weirder & Weirder | Best Independent Release | Nominated |
| 2022 | Weirder & Weirder | Best Rock Album | Nominated |
| 2022 | Paul McKercher for Ball Park Music – Weirder & Weirder | Mix Engineer – Best Mixed Album | Nominated |

### J Awards

The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J. They commenced in 2005.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
| 2011 | Happiness and Surrounding Suburbs | Australian Album of the Year | Nominated |
| 2011 | Themselves | Unearthed Artist of the Year | Won |
| 2014 | Puddinghead | Australian Album of the Year | Nominated |
| 2020 | Ball Park Music | Australian Album of the Year | Nominated |

### National Live Music Awards

The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) commenced in 2016 to recognise contributions to the live music industry in Australia.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
| 2018 | Themselves | Best Live Act of the Year – People's Choice | Nominated |
| 2020 | Themselves | Live Act of the Year | Nominated |
| 2023 | Themselves | Best Indie/Rock/Alternative Act | Won |
| 2023 | Themselves | Best Live Act in QLD | Won |

### Queensland Music Awards

The Queensland Music Awards (previously known as the Q Song Awards) are an annual awards ceremony celebrating Queensland's brightest emerging artists and established legends. They commenced in 2006.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
| 2013 | "Surrender" | Song of the Year | Won |
| 2013 | "Surrender" | Pop Song of the Year | Won |
| 2021 | Ball Park Music | Album of the Year | Won |
| 2023 | Weirder & Weirder | Album of the Year | Won |

### Rolling Stone Australia Awards

The Rolling Stone Australia Awards are awarded annually in January or February by the Australian edition of Rolling Stone magazine for outstanding contributions to popular culture in the previous year.
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result | Ref. |
| 2021 | Ball Park Music | Rolling Stone Reader's Award | Nominated | |