Owlet Nightjar Newsletter Interview

Owlet Nightjar is a new soul/dub/blues project from Newtown Rocksteady guitarist Tim Key. They recently released their debut album The Regenerative Principle, which was described as being “a wonderful fusion of genres, appealing to a range of music lovers and enthusiasts.” (Ria Loveder, Muzic.net.nz).

The album has been available on Bandcamp since the 3rd of November and has just gone live on all the other online platforms (iTunes, Spotify, etc.) as of the 1st of December.

It is a deeply thoughtful, meditative concept-album based on the following quote and the principle, or tattva, embodied by the Hindu god Shiva that it summarises:

Only when the flower dies do we get the fruit.
Only when the fruit is destroyed do its seeds come out.
Only when the seed breaks open can the new plant emerge to give us more flowers and fruits once again.

– ‘Understanding Shiva’ by D.K. Hari and D.K. Hema Hari

Tim answered the following questions for muzic.net.nz:

How did you become involved in music?

I grew up with music. My Dad Ted plays a mean piano, keyboard and sax. He actually plays the keys on the Owlet Nightjar album! So I guess it was more-or-less in the blood.

If you could perform with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?

Neil Young! One of my all-time favourites, and he’s still rocking! Saw him play with Crazy Horse in Wellington a few years back and was absolutely blown away. He’s definitely still got it!

Which one of your songs are you most proud of, and why?

I’m really proud of this whole album. But if I had to choose one I’d say Stand Your Ground. It was recently voted number 1 on RDU’s top 10 so I’m especially proud of that!

How would you describe your music to someone who hasn’t heard it before?

“What trees would sound like if they could jam!”

What can we expect to see from you in the next year?

Gigs! Music videos! An album release tour! Remixes! New tunes! Maybe even a new album!

What NZ musicians or bands would you like to see more of, and why?

Olmecha Supreme. Because they’re so great. And it’s been way too long.

What local albums have you been enjoying recently?

The Nudge – Dark Arts. And the new Newtown Rocksteady album, East of the Tasman, that’s coming out soon.

What is your favourite NZ venue, and why?

The Mussel Inn in Onekaka, Golden Bay. Paradisiacal location, delicious beverages, lovely locals, and the most hospitable hosts. Now that I think about it the Dharma Shed in Wairau Valley is a very close second!

Where do you get your inspiration to create music from?

The album I’ve just released was partly inspired by a good friend’s passing. That and becoming a father. And then by a book I read about the Hindu god Shiva that somehow tied it all together and wrapped it up in trees! (It helped that I was living in the forest at the time.)

Do you have any advice for aspiring musicians?

Keep aspiring.