INTERVIEW:
Timsters
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THE past couple of days have been an international affair…
that is no danger of slowing down! I have stepped from the U.K. into Europe; over to Canada – it is now back to Europe! French artist Timsters tells me about his new single, Gone, and how it came together; how all those sounds and flavours unify and flow; the artists/sounds that compel him – and what it is like running the label, Elephant & Castle.
I learn more about Timsters’ creative process and what the next step is; whether he grew up in a musical household; if there is more material coming this year; the three albums that mean the most to him – and whether he has any personal goals in mind.
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Hi Timsters. How are you? How has your week been?
Hello! I’m great. My week was so cool - as my new track, Gone, was released on Tuesday (last). It’s always very exciting.
For those new to your music; can you introduce yoursel, please?
My name is Timsters. I’m from France and I produce Electronic-Pop music steeped in urban art.
I spent my childhood in a little city lost in the countryside - so, I’ve always fantasised about the big urban area. I also created the French label, Elephant and Castle, in 2017.
Gone is the new single. What can you reveal about its story and background?
Two years ago; I didn’t know where I wanted to go: my life was a complete mess. I did some kind of experimental work; many little productions. One of them was the beginning of Gone’s creation. (It’s Called DHWYDU (Don’t Hate What You Don’t Understand); a John Lennon quote…you can listen to it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEZ4Xl3PGm0).
I had spent a lot of time working on my melodies and musical arrangements; but, then, I wanted to deal with sounds, ambiences and experimental textures in depth.
After that; I built some melodies and co-wrote the lyrics with the French artist, Praa.
It mixes styles and moods to create something extraordinary. Was it a hard song to put together – or was it quite natural?
The first part of the work was a kind of research: finding textures by mixing synthesisers with many samples I recorded. Indeed, I travelled a lot across the world and I took the habit of recording lots of ambiences in big cities.
So, producing this track was quite natural - as all the sounds were already there.
The song has elements of acts like Empire of the Sun and Pnau. Are they artists you are inspired by?
I only know the big single of Empire of the Sun, Walking on a Dream. I don’t know Pnau - but I sure will go listen to them.
The video looks like it was interesting and fun! How involved do you get regarding the concept? What was the reason behind Gone’s treatment/look?
The music video was directed by the brilliant Gaultier Durhin. We wanted to show an artist creating in his workshop confronted by his own creation – from which he’s trying to escape. It shows his process of creation, as hard as it can be, and finally making the choice whether to keep his work or destroy it...
Will there be more material coming later this year?
I’m gonna release a new music video in March - also directed by Gaultier Durhin. I’m working on my first L.P.
Tell me about the label, Elephant & Castle. Are they important to your sound and ethos? How supportive have they been?
I’m the founder of Elephant & Castle. I produce all the artists on the label for now. It’s a great adventure. It feeds me and inspires me so, yes; it definitely affects my work.
We are a family - and I’m so proud of that.
Did you grow up in a musical household? What music were you raised on?
My father is a musician: he taught me how to play the guitar. But, when I was a teenager, most of my musical inspirations came from MTV. Ha ha.
I listened to a lot of Pop Music.
IN THIS PHOTO: Praa/PHOTO CREDIT: Ousseynou Cissé
Who are the new artists you recommend we check out?
If you had to choose the three albums that mean the most to you; which would they be and why?
Kid A – Radiohead
It’s the record that led me to experimental music.
L’Homme à Tête de Chou – Serge Gainsbourg
For his sense of narration and his avant-gardism.
Peter and the Wolf – Sergei Prokofiev
My first musical emotion.
Can we see you tour soon? What gigs do you have coming up?
Before touring, I want to finish my album. Producing the artists on the label takes me a lot of time, too. But; I can’t wait to share my songs with a live audience.
Any New Year’s resolutions made this year? What do you hope to achieve, personally, in 2018?
Travel, multiple artistic collaborations - and spend more time with my friends and family.
Do you feel you have come a long way as a writer and performer since your earliest days? What are the biggest changes you have noticed?
I’ve been practising music since I was ten...
The hardest thing is to keep faith in what you are doing, in what you are. Collaborating and working with other artists is what gave me confidence in my work. Thanks to music; I lived great human experiences that taught me a lot (and made me grew up).
What advice would you give to new acts coming through?
Collaborate, share; keep your singularity…just be yourself.
Finally, and for being a good sport; you can choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).
Praa – Modeling Clay
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