On his cross-country travails, local musician Tim Andrews, 24, has learned something of the road and the loneliness it can inflict. Soon to release his first EP, appropriately titled Lonesome Road, Andrews embraces his experience and the music that has risen from it.
“Solitude and isolation can bring out the greatest depth in a man,” says the folk rock singer-songwriter. “If there's music in him, and there's music in everybody, there's music in all the world inner and outer, as long he knows what to listen for he can go within to channel from this depth.”
Described by others as “Bob Seger meets Bruce Springsteen meets James Dean,” Andrews combines Midwestern roots music with his own distinct sound. Using a full four octave vocal range, Tim Andrews has toured the nation, bringing his authentic voice to clubs and bars north, south, east, and west.
Now based in Nashville, Tennessee, Andrews is excited about his heavily personal, spiritually probing, narrative-driven debut record.
“The man on this record is not a fictional character by any means,” says Andrews. “Though sometimes I sing about myself as if I'm outside myself, these are my struggles.”
Explicitly dealing with a search for God and addressing heartache over a girl left behind, Lonesome Road is fixated on finding courage to press forward in the face of doubt and loss. Andrews is reminded of his own father, who once swam three miles to shore at night after his boat capsized in the Gulf of Mexico.
“That's kind of how life is,” believes Andrews. “You have the choice to either drown or keep going.”
The very existence of Lonesome Road is testament to Andrews' willingness to blaze forward. Though the six song EP was originally recorded in less than a week in Orlando, Florida, many of the files were lost due to technical problems. Several songs had to be re-recorded in Niagara Falls, delaying an anticipated release.
“We were about to release the record and we had to re-do it,” recalls Andrews. “It was a big blow that took the wind out of my sail, so to speak. While in Philadelphia I meditated on the project, re-examining it, and things got a lot deeper.”
Such introspection led to an improved final product. “The second time around we came much closer to the sound we wanted,” Andrews says, “We spent a week or more just on the snare drums to make sure they really hit.”
“In Florida I did some of the most honest singing I've ever done. When I lost those files, I lost something that was very much in the spirit of the moment. And the truth is you can't reproduce a take. You can do it better or worse. I basically did it over and over until I did it better.”
Ideally ready for a full release by December, Lonesome Road's debut will be accompanied by a tour throughout the Buffalo-Niagara region. Featuring string arrangements by Andrews' brother, Vince Thomas, and production/engineering by John Helms, the record is expected to be an inspiring throwback to the sounds of Bob Dylan, John Denver, and Glen Campbell while retaining a freshness and originality all of its own.
“Although my songs are autobiographical, I look for a way to bring endurance to others just as my music brings endurance to myself,” says Andrews. “I'm willing to take the dirt and take the sun and do what I can to press forward and make people feel at home in this world, to make them feel that they're not alone in their solitude, to encourage them not to completely place stock in the world of the senses but to look within.”
Continuing his long trek into the unknown, up-and-comer Tim Andrews looks forward to introducing himself to the country at large, bringing the purity and intensity of his vision to “drifters and dreamers” across the lonesome roads of America.
Based on this article, it seems to me that Tim Andrews is a real artist; someone who understands that truly artistic performances are a service to one's society, and ultimately, to all humanity. I'm looking forward to hearing his album.
Everyone looks the same when they come into the industry but in times they change more into money than music.
LanaJoseph-
Yes, indeed. That happens often, but not comprehensively. It happened to Tina Turner, whose artistic process I have studied.
There is in Theater a hierarchy of three energy levels. In 1982, and just one or two years from her big comeback, Tina was performing at the middle level (see the EMI video, "Nice 'n' Rough").
Three years later with the next official video, "Private Dancer," she had dropped down to the lowest theatrical energy level, and has not, from then up to now, been able to regain that middle energy level. (As a side note, I can help with that. See http://PropTina.blogspot.com )
I have, without exaggeration, probably said this a hundred times already, and I'll say it again:
Any true artist can deal with failure and keep on creating; it's commercial success that's the killer.
Because once that happens, there's an enormous amount of pressure in the mix to repeat any commercial success. "Yes, do more of that. That really works." So things start getting fixed: "This is how Tina does it," for example. The artistic process becomes institutionalized.
And the impulse towards that institutionalization is exactly opposite the creative impulse, which always manifests in very non-institutional way. It's always fresh and new.
Cheers!
Brian Stewart
Performer's Coach and Troubleshooter
Tim Andrews is great live, when he comes to your town, bring your friends with you and earn cool points!
I knew from that Monday night open-mic at Nietches, when I first set eyes and ears on Tim Andrews, that he was truly one-of-a-kind. With an incredible vocal range, authentic musicality, and mesmerizing performance style, Tim Andrews is sure to get out of his music career all that he pours into it and much more. I hope to have the privilege of playing with you again someday. Congratulations and good luck!
he is pretentious and fake.
I have been working with Tim Andrews for years and i cannot tell you how much of an honor it has been and will continue to be working with Tim. I always knew he had it in him, I think its the lyrics and the meaning that it represents, as well as the honest,strong,and caring person he is, that makes Tim an AMAZING singer,songwriter. I cannot emphasize the amount of garbage that is being "shuffled" around and the lack of talent in this world. Tim andrews comes out with a BANG making it settling to know there is actually good musicians still around. Tim has my support 100% and more, he has been a good friend of mine for years and i have supported his music forever, there is no one I would rather be working with.
Tim has a voice that can turn hell upside down and shine light through its crevices. Ya won't believe me til you hear and see it for yourself. Become a fan and SPREAD THE WORD!!! MORE @ his website. timandrewsmusic.net
Known him for a long time. This dude is a complete poser. Last year he wanted to be Micheal Jackson, before that; Jeff Buckley....now it's Bruce Springsteen.... He is always patting himself on he back and putting down everyone else. He is a fraud and will fit right in with all of the other phonies out there in the industry.
I've known him for a couple of years and he has always tried to become somebody else, but not himself. I know for a fact that he has never "toured the nation". And a few years ago he sang Michael Jackson's 'Billie Jean' all the time. And now it's Bruce Springsteen?! Well I guess I'm not surprised.
Tim is a fraud, his last name isn't even Andrews. He made it up because it sounded better than his real last name. The kid hasn't worked a day in his life, everything is just handed to him by his affluent father. Oh and his brother 'Vince Thomas' is a pyschopath right wing nutjob.
I once had the privilege to witness this "kid" take the stage at Broadway Joe's. At that time, he couldn't have been more than 21 or 22- tops. Looking like a teenage Bob Dylan, it was just him- his 4 octave rich as velvet/smooth as silk voice, his guitar, and his harmonica. By the time he climbed down off that stage, my jaw was was firmly embedded in the barroom floor, as he had utterly blown me away.
OUCH!!!! Anonymous sounds like a pissed off rejected ex gf....mmmmm.....makes me wants to buy this sexy man's cd even more!
This guy has a Unique and Fresh sound. I really like it. Think he may be one of the few who actually makes it!
chauvinistic phony, period.
Hey, it's Tim Parlato!!! Ewww
Saw this guy at cafe coco, and the guys voice was simply breathtaking!!! Can't wait to see him again!!!!
Tim and Vince both have amazing musical genius, this is coming from someone who knew them before the world heard of them. Every great artist finds a filter that works for them,be it music, art, words or spirituality. Tim may be "influenced" by other great artists like Buckley and Springsteen, it doesn't mean he wants to be them. I think he pays homage to the "greats" on his own path to the top. His name is Tim Andrews, Andrew is his middle name. By the way Jeff Buckley, was raised with a different name and it wasn't until he met his father, Tim Buckley, that he wanted to be known as Jeff Buckley instead of Scotty Moorehead. The name Jeff Buckely has flow, like Tim Andrews has a nice flow. Tim and Vince both deserve props for their talent, Tim can sing and play beautifully and Vince is a sight to see with an instrument.
People dont see the struggles and through it all hes a very good musician as well as vincent thomas they will be a big hit already is i support him100 percent
You dont no them and how hard they have worked u dont no nothin real talent your just jealous cuz you are a very cold person you my friend can keep comments to yourself
Think what you want im living and makin it who r you to judge
A great voice and he delivers the songs beautifully. No need to get into the history or the mind of the singer just listen and enjoy his renditions of his self penned numbers.
I don’t care who he is or used to be, this guy is bad ass!!! He rocked our world’s last night. He is so talented :)
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