Special Interview: Tim Wheatley

theaussieword.com catches up with Tim Wheatley for a special interview…. Give us an introduction. How did it all begin? What had you first interested in music? It’s the age old cliché – I grew up around music as my father was a musician. We had guitars lying around the house and music playing all day and night. I was doomed from the beginning… What motivates or influences you in your quest to make great music? Being able to play it all over the world… Travelling is something I love, so I’m lucky that hitting the road is synonymous with making music. The thought of being paid to perform and see the world at the same time is I life goal. What are your biggest goals you hope to accomplish as an artist? I guess I just want people hear what I write. The opportunity to get your music heard is all you can ask for, and then for enough people to like it and enable you to make more. What can we expect from you in the coming months? Any plans to tour? I’m coming back to Australia next week to tour and release my debut album! I’ve been away for the last 9 months so I cant wait to get back.

Tell us a bit about your latest album and how would you best describe your music? The album was recorded in Melbourne last year with Paul Mckercher at Sing Sing in Melbourne. Then I moved to Los Angeles and was forced to finish it over here. That was harder than expected as I seemed to contantly run into road blocks. But alas, my friend Niko Bolas (Neil Young, Johnny Cash) helped me piece it all together at the end. When making the record we made the decision to limit the production so that the album still translates when I play solo. We tried to let the songs do the talking as opposed to getting attention with all the bells and whistles. Success, what is the secret to it? If I only knew… Making it in music has a lot to do with being in the right place at the right time. So I would suggest being in the right places as much as possible and increasing your chances of lightning striking you. What has been your biggest career highlight? Of late… It would have to have been hearing Waddy Wachtel play on my songs. I have been a huge fan of him since I was a kid, and to hear him strum away on songs I wrote was one of those moments I will never forget. Which stars of the music industry do you find inspiring? I saw Bruce Springsteen for the first time last year… As raw, honest and entertaining as you can get. That’s how it’s done decade after decade. The music industry is huge, where do you see yourself a few years from now? The music industry is a fickle beast… I just hope to ‘still be’ in the business in few years. Name a few of your favourite Aussie artists. Paul Kelly, Midnight Oil, Tim Freedman & Augie March to name just a few… The shape of the music industry has changed significantly over the years, including the use of social media, how do you feel about the industry as a whole and what does it mean to you in getting your records out into the public eye? With social media and ever evolving technology its becoming easier for the younger bands to make and release music… but due to streaming and illegal downloading, the bands that do make it have to tour hard to make money. But that keeps them honest and separates those who love performing from those in it for the short term.