Oscar first picked up the guitar aged 10, and quickly mastered playing along to rock and blues classics by ear. Encouraged by his musician parents, both from creative backgrounds, Oscar flourished as a young musician.
His love for guitar and performance developed at his secondary school, Davenant Foundation School in Essex, which has a strong reputation for music education and opportunities. Here, Oscar was quickly identified as being 'Gifted and Talented' and - by the age of 12 - was invited into guitar ensembles, choirs, swing, jazz bands and orchestras with much older students. He was privileged to be invited to be part of the school's European music tour in 2016 (at the age of 13), taking place in Vienna, the Budapest Basilica and other major music centres across Hungary.
As an early teen, Oscar attracted attention on the cover band scene of Essex and East London with his own young covers band, which not only clocked up hundreds of miles for his parent roadies, but won talent contests and battle of the bands. Despite being the youngest group on the scene, they performed in summer festivals in front of audiences up to 1,500. Oscar quickly became known as a skilled and adaptable 'dep' guitarist for much more experienced acts.
After leaving 6th form, Oscar attended the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance in London, where he studied under the likes of Davide Shorty and Tolis Zavaliaris and obtained a 1st class Honours in his Cert HE.
Oscar is a prolific songwriter, who is passionate about crafting his own original material, writes extensively and loves to collaborate with like-minded talented musicians. Oscar was a co-founder and writer of the originals band, JOB, who performed in London widely over a 6-year period with their original music only.
Oscar's influences are incredibly broad, starting at home with his father, who is a platinum album award-winning session vocalist on Def Leppard’s biggest selling album, ‘Hysteria’. Beyond that, his influences include the likes of Paul Kossoff, Mick Ronson, Robin Trower, Billy Gibbons and Jeff Beck; equally, he is passionate about contemporary artists, such as Sam Fender, Tom Misch, Taylor York, Hayley Williams and Bloc Party. Additionally, Oscar draws inspiration from the likes of Mick Garson, Ralph Vaugh Williams and Claude Debussy for their mood creation and chord structure.
Since joining White Gates, Oscar has fully embraced the opportunity to work with like-minded, ambitious and highly talented musicians who can’t wait to fulfil their dream of putting their original music into the mainstream.
Oscar Ball
