Meet Dublin-based singer-songwriter, Tim Chadwick, back with his EP ‘Timothy‘ – out March 12th
Ireland is known for its immensely talented music scene and Tim Chadwick is no exception. When the world came to a halt, The rising star holed himself up at his Dublin home and honed his craft.
With soft yet soaring vocals and honest lyrics, ‘Timothy‘ explores loneliness, self-reflection and regaining confidence. Something that I’m sure we can all relate to.
Not only has the Dubliner previously sold out a number of headline shows in just 72 hours, supported the likes of Mabel, and Hudson Taylor on tour, Tim has also performed at The Great Escape which is pretty impressive for an artist that hasn’t been on the scene for too long.
Listen to ‘Timothy’ below
We chatted to Tim about his EP, pre-show rituals and his obsession with trashy reality tv shows.
Tell us about your EP ‘Timothy’. What inspired it?
I began writing the bones of this EP in LA at the end of 2019 before I even knew what it was. I had just gone through a breakup and was feeling pretty lost and disconnected from myself. Favourite Song came out of that writing trip. I hadn’t been by myself in about 5 years, and it turned out I didn’t really know what to do with myself. I started writing songs like Only Me and Search Party when I realised that I was well and truly by myself, and I needed to make myself a priority. I decided mid-first lockdown that these songs all had an invisible thread between them, and so the idea of making them turn into something came about.
What are some influences that help you get into a creative mindset?
Lyrics are the first thing to capture my attention in a song. A song could have the best production in the world, but if the lyrics are throw away I lose attention immediately. Artists like Hayley Williams (my all-time fave), SZA, Muna, Haim really get me in the zone to start creating something meaningful.
What track on your EP do you hope will be a fan favourite?
I mean, the gag would be that Favourite Song turns into a fan favourite, but I feel that Only Me could potentially steal it. There is that post-chorus chant that I think people will love screaming at a show (and I’ll love screaming it at them).
Do you think the pandemic has changed the way artists create? Is this something that was hard to adjust to?
I think the pandemic has allowed people to make the most of the time we’ve been given and because of that release more regularly and more boldly. I feel it’s allowed more risks to be taken. The thing I found hard to adjust to was actually wanting to create. At the beginning of it all, I felt so uninspired, angry and upset all at the same time. It took a while to get used to the new way of doing things, but once I did it actually became quite freeing. These songs wouldn’t exist as they are if it wasn’t for the pandemic.
What do you do off stage that gives you inspiration on stage?
I watch other artists and friends that I love perform. Seeing people going out there and giving it everything gets me going. There’s no greater feeling than believing someone else’s performances. So being believed on stage is my aim.
You’ve toured with some amazing people including Mabel, Hudson Taylor and Billy Locket, Who would be your dream artist and/or band to support on tour?
Don’t think I’d be able to physically perform out of nerves, but I would love to tour with Hayley Williams. I look up to her as a songwriter, performer and just as a generally good person. HAIM I feel would be absolutely gas to perform with, but they are just next level cool that I don’t think I’d be up to par. Also, Maggie Rogers’ shows are so pure and healing that it’d be an honour to share a stage with her one day.
Do you have any pre-show rituals?
I’m the biggest bore. I just drink loads of warm water with honey and I warm up my voice. WILD. I normally have a 15-minute dance party too before to get in the zone and then 5 mins of quiet before I go on.
What’s one thing fans would be surprised to learn about you?
I don’t know if it’s surprising, but I have next to none music theory knowledge and I really really should. Other than that, I have a weakness/obsession for a trashy reality tv show. Especially now given we have zero social life, I would like you to hook up the drama and nonsense to my veins.
What would be the theme tune to your life?
Not sure if it’s my theme song, but Landslide by Fleetwood Mac has been following me around for most of my 20s and it’s meant something new each year.
What’s your ultimate goal?
I think I want to write songs that one day someone else says “I wish I wrote that”. I have an incredibly long way to go and a lot more work to do on my craft and myself, but that’s the goal. Like I said earlier, I hope that when people come to one of my shows or listen to my songs, they believe me and find something they can relate to in the art.
Follow Tim Chadwick on Twitter @timtimyall
