Chicago's Dehd guitarist and singer Jason Balla has found a new sense of purpose in his experimental solo project, Accessory, amidst the chaos of touring with his main band. The Buffalo Grove native has been quietly nurturing Accessory since 2018, initially releasing a handful of singles as a way to express himself outside of Dehd.
Recently, Balla released two new singles from Accessory, "UMS" and "Do You," which were born out of the creation of a makeshift recording studio in his Little Village apartment. The songs showcase a more subdued side to Balla's sound, with shoegazey textures that evoke feelings of melancholy and introspection.
Balla has been struggling to find time for Accessory given Dehd's demanding tour schedule, but he has managed to produce new material despite his busy life. When asked about the motivation behind his solo project, Balla admitted it was always there, quietly waiting in the background until he had the space to explore it further.
Accessory is more than just an outlet for Balla; it represents a companion or alter ego that allows him to express himself freely without the pressures of being part of Dehd. The project's music has been influenced by his own personal experiences and emotions, as well as social issues such as Operation Midway Blitz in Little Village.
The recent release of Accessory singles was inspired in part by the tragic passing of Steve Albini, a fellow musician who left behind a powerful message for those struggling with self-doubt. This moment brought Balla a sense of human connection and compassion that has carried over into his music, making him more adventurous and collaborative.
Accessory is expanding its lineup to include Chicago-based acts Deeper, Desert Liminal, Matchess, Bnny, TV Buddha, and Meat Wave, allowing Balla to explore different sounds and collaborate with like-minded musicians. This expansion has led to a new live setup known as Accessory XL, which features an expanded lineup and pushes Balla out of his comfort zone.
As Balla delves deeper into Accessory, he is also exploring new creative avenues, including playing the saxophone for the first time since high school. He continues to build his home studio, crafting his own equipment, such as preamps and compressors, to self-produce his music and that of other artists. The artist has also taken up painting as a form of artistic expression, with multiple projects in the works, including a new music video.
Balla's vision for Accessory is ambitious, with plans to push boundaries in both sound and artistry. With 2026 already on his creative radar, fans can expect more innovative work from this multifaceted musician.
Recently, Balla released two new singles from Accessory, "UMS" and "Do You," which were born out of the creation of a makeshift recording studio in his Little Village apartment. The songs showcase a more subdued side to Balla's sound, with shoegazey textures that evoke feelings of melancholy and introspection.
Balla has been struggling to find time for Accessory given Dehd's demanding tour schedule, but he has managed to produce new material despite his busy life. When asked about the motivation behind his solo project, Balla admitted it was always there, quietly waiting in the background until he had the space to explore it further.
Accessory is more than just an outlet for Balla; it represents a companion or alter ego that allows him to express himself freely without the pressures of being part of Dehd. The project's music has been influenced by his own personal experiences and emotions, as well as social issues such as Operation Midway Blitz in Little Village.
The recent release of Accessory singles was inspired in part by the tragic passing of Steve Albini, a fellow musician who left behind a powerful message for those struggling with self-doubt. This moment brought Balla a sense of human connection and compassion that has carried over into his music, making him more adventurous and collaborative.
Accessory is expanding its lineup to include Chicago-based acts Deeper, Desert Liminal, Matchess, Bnny, TV Buddha, and Meat Wave, allowing Balla to explore different sounds and collaborate with like-minded musicians. This expansion has led to a new live setup known as Accessory XL, which features an expanded lineup and pushes Balla out of his comfort zone.
As Balla delves deeper into Accessory, he is also exploring new creative avenues, including playing the saxophone for the first time since high school. He continues to build his home studio, crafting his own equipment, such as preamps and compressors, to self-produce his music and that of other artists. The artist has also taken up painting as a form of artistic expression, with multiple projects in the works, including a new music video.
Balla's vision for Accessory is ambitious, with plans to push boundaries in both sound and artistry. With 2026 already on his creative radar, fans can expect more innovative work from this multifaceted musician.
Jason Balla's been working on it quietly since 2018, but I think he's really hitting his stride now! The new singles "UMS" and "Do You" are so soothing and introspective - I love how the shoegazey textures bring out the melancholy side of human emotions 
. What I admire most about Accessory is that it's not just a solo project, but also an extension of Balla's personality and values 
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. It's clear he's always been passionate about music, but now he has the space to explore different creative outlets - I'm curious to see what other art projects are in the works for him... maybe a visual album or something? 
. The fact that he's collaborating with other talented artists from Chicago is going to bring a fresh energy to the scene 
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. It's amazing that his personal experiences and emotions have been influencing his music all along 
. And I think it's really cool that he's exploring new creative avenues like playing the saxophone again 
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. It sounds like he's on a mission to push boundaries and innovate in both sound and artistry 
i love how he's using his music as a way to express himself freely, it's so inspiring 
, Jason Balla's solo project just a way to pay the bills while Dehd tours... like that matters when you're releasing music in your tiny apartment 
, still struggling to find time for it amidst all the chaos... sounds like he's trying too hard to be adventurous with new collabs and a saxophone debut 
... not sure what's more cringeworthy, the experimental sound or the "artistic expression" through painting 
... can't help but think this is just another case of a musician having an identity crisis...
. The fact that he's taking time to nurture this project amidst the chaos of touring is truly inspiring 
The addition of saxophone skills? Game-changer! 
...it's an outlet for him to express himself freely without the pressures of being part of Dehd, kinda like our own inner compass that guides us when we're lost in the noise of everyday life 
...Balla's experimenting with new sounds and collaborating with other artists, pushing himself out of his comfort zone...it's a reminder that growth happens when we take risks and step into the unknown 
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...sometimes i think we all need that outlet to tap into our true selves, to let go of the masks we wear in public life 
...accessory is like that for Balla, and maybe even for us too if we dare to look within 
. I hope Jason doesn't get lost in all the creative endeavors, but it seems like he's having too much fun 
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What I love about this project is it's not just an outlet for him but a real companion that lets him express himself freely. It's like he's shedding his old skin to reveal this new side of himself 
It just goes to show that Jason Balla is always looking for new ways to grow and innovate.
. The fact that he's building his own studio and producing his own equipment is a testament to his dedication to his craft 