Rising Australian Indie / Folk talent Timberwolf is definitely one name worth getting to know. Having released two inpressive singles, and toured nationally earlier this year, the Adelaide based singer-songwriter has just also just been announced on the Groovin’ The Moo 2015 line up.
Following on from the release of his last single ‘It Burns’ which garnered strong radio support and pubic acclaim, with sell-out launch shows across the country in late 2014, the release of new single ‘Fallen Sun’ cemented the 23-year-old as a 2015 must watch act.
In Feburary Timberwolf released his debut EP Flux. Recorded and co-produced with local indie legend Mark Myers (former member of ‘The Middle East’) in his Cairns studio, the two spent quite a while conjuring the dark, cinematic energy behind the Timberwolf sound. Ahead of his GTM show we spent a bit of time chatting with the young promising muso to get to know him a little better. If you like what you hear be sure to visit his Facebook page for more info.
The Birth Of Timberwolf
I’m an Adelaide local, still wishing that I knew how to surf. I come from a really musical family and I’ve always looked up to my uncle as the most incredible guitarist I know. I have all these vivid memories of smiling and laughing uncontrollably watching my uncle play as I grew up just out of pure admiration, he’s unbelievable. So I always wanted to be the guy playing guitar. I taught myself how to play a few Cream or Hendrix songs but it wasn’t until I set up a little studio in my room that I fell in love with music.
I remember dislocating my shoulder the weekend I bought my first guitar…That was devastating but luckily it’s been a bit of a whirlwind since. I’ve got a pretty intense personality when i’m passionate, and creating music seems to be such a fulfilling way to channel that part of me. I’m not so sure where the last two years went, but I know it feels really fulfilling to be beyond uni and spending what seems like all of my time so immersed and addicted to creative expression. It feels very sincere, but for what started as more an outlet for my sanity, I’m constantly overwhelmed at how far it’s come and I feel so lucky to be enjoying all of the crazy and unique positions this lifestyle open up for you.
The Development Of The Timberwolf Style
[include_post id=”442209″]In terms of inspiration there hasn’t been anything i’m consciously aware of but you always look back on past recordings and learn from them. I’m frequently inspired by different landscapes, people and music I haven’t yet heard. Every now and then you do have moments outside of your own head where you’re able to see your sound for what it is, and the ways in which it has progressed, but for the most part you’re so wrapped up in what you’re creating that you don’t have the headspace to be so objective or reflective about your journey and that part feels very natural. In retrospect though you can always find little patterns to do with how you felt at the time or what I was fixated on, so i’m always whittling away at my own little objectives. Like right now, I’m quite fixated on to explore tones and melody in my home recordings. There’s so much to be brought to life in a melody or cord structure just by creating the right tonal soundscape.
Work/ Art Balance
I still work for probably three months of every year but it’s pretty impossible to keep it up when you tour so much and I’m not really complaining. I’ve got a great boss who kind of lets me work around whatever I have to do with my music, and I think it’s an important way to fund what can otherwise be a pretty expensive long-term investment in music.
Working With Mark Myers
Working with Myers was so memorable. I’d never been to Cairns at this point and the tropical humidity, low-lying clouds and spooky mountainside left quite an emotional impression on me, it was great for recording. It was great to get to know Mark and hang out with his friends for a few weeks, he took me up to Crystal Cascades a few times to go for a swim. They’re crazy up there, tubing down these huge rapids in truck tyres. I learnt a lot musically though. The Middle East were/are one of my favourite bands and I can still listen to ‘I want that you are always happy’ and be just as excited as when I first heard it. It’s definitely stood the test of time, and it’s so unique.
That’s the epitome of what I would like to create as a songwriter; something unique, sincere and timeless. I feel like there’s so much I haven’t learnt about the art of recording, and I used to wonder if how much of what you hear on a great recording is down to some intense pre-production with a magnificent producer and his expensive equipment, or if it’s just rests with the artist and their innate style. Working with Mark and a little bit with Jordan helped to confirm the latter and that was really inspiring. It was pretty special to see how effortless and natural it was for Mark to recreate some of the characteristic sounds that I loved from The Middle East, and have them creep their way into my recordings, it really brought a new life to the songs. Jordan played banjo on a few songs too, which was cool.
Touring Experiences
Tour has been wild, playing WOMAD was definitely a stand out. I’ve never played to that many people in my life, and to be doing so in my home town on my favourite stage of the festival was really nostalgic. Byron Bay was great too, I’ve never seen the Northern so rowdy for one of my shows. They have all been incredible though and it’s really fun to be touring with my band. We’re good friends and they make it so much fun.
I can’t wait to get back in the car with them all on Thursday and head to Melbourne, I’m sick of planes so driving is still a bit of a novelty for me. If you haven’t seen a Timberwolf show before you can definitely expect a few sleezy grooves, three part harmonies, and a pretty cinematic mix between the drums, my washy guitar and the keyboard. There are definitely some pretty haunting moments in the set.
The State Of The Aussie Live Music Scene
I’m definitely optimistic about Australian music as a whole, but at the risk of sounding elderly and out of touch…The more I see live shows and performances where people in bands and live instruments have been replaced with backing tracks and pitch corrected vocals I can’t help but feel a bit disconnected or uninspired.
[include_post id=”423367″] Maybe I’m a bit old-school but I’m so attracted to the risk associated with people creating live analog music as you see it, it’s exhilarating. I understand that it’s quite expensive to tour a band around but personally I find it way more exciting to see people using live instruments to re-interpret and reinvent what seems to be a pretty common ableton/smapling-based sound at the moment that seems to be dominating the Australian industry or scene. There’s a band from Adelaide called Brokers who do that really well and I was blown away with their WOMAD set. I think the new initiative through Virgin to offer musicians cheaper airfares, accommodation discounts and cheaper van-hire is such a positive step-forward and I can’t wait to make the most of it. It will allow me to play with my full band more often, book more dates and I hope it challenges everyone to rethink and completely remodel the way they tour.
GROOVIN THE MOO 2015 LINEUP
Fountaineer
Sam Wright
Yours Alone
Coda Conduct
Timberwolf
Said The People
Capital B
stephane 1993
A$AP Ferg
Ball Park Music
Broods
Carmada
Charli XCX
The Delta Riggs
DMA’s
Flight Facilities
Hermitude
Hilltop Hoods
Hot Dub Time Machine
Meg Mac
Northlane
One Day
Peace
Peaches
The Preatures
RL Grime
San Cisco
Saskwatch
Sticky Fingers
Tkay Maidza
Wolfmother
You Me At Six
GROOVIN THE MOO 2015 DATES & TICKETS
Saturday, 25th April 2015
Oakbank SA (ANZAC Day)
Tickets: Groovin The Moo
Sunday, 26th April 2015
Bunbury WA (ANZAC Long Weekend)
Tickets: Groovin The Moo
Saturday, 2nd May 2015
Bendigo VIC
Tickets: Groovin The Moo
Sunday, 3rd May 2015
Canberra ACT
Tickets: Groovin The Moo
Saturday, 9th May 2015
Maitland NSW
Tickets: Groovin The Moo
Sunday, 10th May 2015
Townsville QLD
Tickets: Groovin The Moo
