Timothy Armstrong Newsletter Interview

 

Thanks to Timothy for answering these questions:

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

Another album……Or two, Plus a trip to Europe to promote the album.

What advice would you like to give to other aspiring musicians?

Just start, pondering is good, but for me it can also become procrastination. I just start the song.

Who are your favourite NZ musicians/bands, and why?

Grayson Gilmour, Gatherer (now Melbourne). You can just tell they really think about what they are doing. Both Artists write complex songs that are great after the first listen but even better after the 10th listen. 

What will your next release be?

Another album called ‘Digits’ – Trying to focus on working with sampless for that one. Lots of found sounds and heavy on rhythmical content.

How do you come up with your lyrics?

Usually the music I come up with will make me feel a certain way, and I guess I just start singing about whatever I’m feeling (and quickly note down the good lines). Other times I’ll come up with a line while thinking about situations I’ve been in or conversations I have had and the rest of the lyrics grow from that.

Who would you most like to support live?

Sufjan Stevens :)

How do you believe you fit into the NZ music industry?

Either as a round disc in its CD player, or as an MP3 in its hard drive.

What can you never leave home without?

A little electric microphone I made that plugs into my Ipod for recording anywhere, anytime.

How do you describe your music?

Acoustic Arrangements. Intricate Instrumentation. Melancholic Melodies. 

What is your favourite NZ venue?

Most enjoyable show I have played was at the Wine Cellar, AK, with Kimbra. It just had a great vibe, couches and cushions etc…

What is the best part of being a musician?

Being able to do what you love with company AND when you are alone.

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

Gatherer, because I love them. They make you feel every different emotion at once. But mostly just Joy.

What is in your CD collection at home?

The Books, Sufjan Stevens, Explosions In The Sky, As Tall As Lions, Circa Survive, The Mars Volta, Radiohead…

What is your most embarrassing on tour/gig moment?

Releasing my B and E strings are totally out of tune only when I get to the bridge of a song, (the only place in the song those strings are played) by that time you really can’t just start over.

What is your favourite place in NZ to be?

Piha Beach. Mmmmm Yes. 

What inspired you to become a musician?

Street Spirit, Radiohead – When I heard that song coming from my sisters room when I was 16 I stole the CD and my dad’s old guitar and learnt the song that night. All my previous ambitions changed.

What is the best gig you have ever performed at, and why?

Most recently at a show with Timothy Blackman and Jeremy Mason, the place was packed and the entire audience was so quiet and attentive. They were there for the music. It was special.

How do you keep in contact with your fans?

I usually just go round to her place and watch movies :)

What rumour would you like to start about yourself?

That I have 6 fingers on my left hand.