An interview with Tim Tibbitts

An interview with Lou Lombardi

 

1.  Describe the early years of your musical roots and how your talent was nurtured.

I started singing at a very early age. I did all the musical pageants and talent shows as a really young child. Started vocal studies at around 8 and did that until 16. Then my vocal teacher at high school asked me to join his vocal ensemble which were doing both chorale and barbershop style vocals which taught me a ridiculous amount about harmony, chord voicing and discipline. After that I attended university in the US for musical theatre. I realized that wasn’t for me and came back home to resume making my own music.

I started guitar at 15 because I wanted to be able to accompany myself when I sang. Basically I’m completely self-taught. In the last 8 or 9 years I really took an interest in really improving my guitar skills. Now I practice my guitar much more than I do vocal.

2.  Were there any events, people or catalysts that were musically influential?

When I was 13 I started really getting into Triumph. I was floored that someone that could sing like that (Rik Emmett) could also play guitar that well. I saw them live that year and it really got me into the thought of being a rock star! I actually sent him a message this year on myspace telling him the story. He wrote me back and listened to my stuff. Said he really enjoyed it. Gotta love the internet age!

3.  How many CDs have you released as a solo artist?

I’ve only released the one CD as a solo artist. Prior to that I had released 3 in different bands of all different styles but now I feel like I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing.

4.  Which CD has brought you the most success?

This CD that I have out now is by far my best release. I’ve achieved more in the last year than I had ever previously. The rerelease on Nevada/Koch will be out on Jan 30th of this year. It had some production delays with artwork, which pushed it back until now but it’ll be nice with the support at retail across the country.

5.  How would you describe your sound?

In it’s basic form it’s acoustic rock. However I love to add different elements of other genre’s to make each song it’s own. I don’t like being pigeonholed into one genre. There are lots of country elements, funk and r&b elements and I go back to my 70’s arena rock roots on a lot of the tracks while still sounding contemporary.

6.  Describe how your music career has changed in the last two years?

Well in the last year I’ve received more shows, press and airplay than ever before as well as the performer of the year award at the Toronto Independent Music Awards. So a lot more people know who I am now. Especially in my home town.

7. Are you happy with your current booking agent, Cool Planet Entertainment?

Ya, Todd Arkell is a really hard working guy that I get along with well. It’s still a tough go because the company is still so young and really starting out in the booking game in this country which is ruled by Feldman, The Agency and Paquin. It’s really difficult to get a leg up but Todd works hard at building relationships with everyone he meets and I respect that.

8.  Why did you agree to have Gerry Young as your manager?

Gerry was a legend in the Canadian music scene in the 1980’s as the manager for The Parachute Club, M+M and others of that era. He knows the business and has built up relationships over 3 decades which are so valuable to a new artist.

9.  How would you describe your relationship & communication with Gerry?

He makes himself available whenever I need him around. He’s always the voice of reason when things are tough and he works hard on my behalf in every aspect. He’s currently shopping the CD in Japan, Australia, Germany and the UK and he’ll be going to Midem in France to try and score up some interest overseas.

10.  In 2006 after the release of “Portraits” you toured across Canada. How many provinces did you play and what gig did you enjoy the most?  The least?

I mostly did Ontario and Quebec this year but I spent a lot of time in the US in 2006. The first show of the 4 Voices tour I’ve been doing with my friends Chisai Jackson, Mandippal Jandu and Jesse Pitcher. It was in Toronto and the venue was insanely packed!! A great night except for the parking ticket I got!

11.  How did you get around across Canada and what were your travel and accommodations like?

I travel in my little Honda Civic I named Monica. I wrote a song about her for the next CD. She works hard so she deserved it! I did around 40000 KMS this year and next year will be even more. The most popular accommodations of choice are friends couches! Always reliable.

12.  Later, in 2006 you toured the USA.  How many states did you play and what was the highlight of the tour?

The US was great this year. I played all along the east coast from Buffalo and Rochester to Pittsburgh and Philly as well as New York to Atlanta. It was a great time. It included my career highlight where I played in Augusta Georgia with the legendary James Brown. It turned out to be the last show he ever played in his hometown.

13.  What advice would you give to other touring musicians?

Stay out there and treat every show like it’s your last. Don’t be discouraged if attendance is light. The more you get to new towns the more people will show up in the future. Play as many places as you can. Don’t over play 1 area. Most young musicians make the mistake of playing only Toronto because they think that’s where they’ll make it. You’ll burn out your draw before you make it.

14.  What is the name of your latest CD and describe the feel of it?

The latest CD is called Portraits and it really is 11 snapshots of moments of time in my life. Each with different feels and elements to make every song it’s own but work well with each other.

15.  What is your live set up?

My live rig is my pride and joy. I designed it myself and had it custom built by Mike Driscoll of Driscoll Designs. It’s a 2-tiered foot pedal board. The bottom level is a Line 6 POD XT Live pre amp and controller, the upper level has a boss loop station pedal and an ABY switcher so I have a loop channel and a direct channel so I can monitor the loop louder for timing purposes. Also in the guitar chain is a Samson wireless system and a BBE Sonic Maximizer. My main guitar is a Larrivee DV-09. The nicest guitar I’ve ever played. I also use a TC Helicon voicelive foot controller to add vocal effect and up to 4 part harmonies as well. It all runs through 2 double channel di boxes mounted to the pedal board and out a 4 channel snake to the board!

16.  What are some of your favorite venues to play?

Without question the coolest venue I’ve ever played is Eddie’s Attic in Decatur Georgia. A pure acoustic music room. Around here there’s the Rivoli and The Now Lounge in Toronto, The Lost Lounge in Mississauga and my weekly house gig is probably my favourite place in the world. I play every Sunday night at a little bar called Doogie’s in Guelph ON. I love it. It’s a family run bar and has a large group of loyal regulars who recognize how special that place is.

18.  What are your plans for 2007?

2007 will be a huge year. I’ll be touring even more this year to support the rerelease of portraits in Canada. I’ll be heading west in February an then April will be going East and back to the US. We’re filming a Live DVD on January 27th for release at shows. And hopefully we’ll start the next record this year as well. Looking forward to bigger shows and new opportunities.

For more info on Tim Tibbitts visit:

www.TimTibbitts.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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1. Describe the early years of your musical roots and how your talent was nurtured.

I come from a musical family. My grandfather was a guitar player and band leader, my dad and uncle both play, my sister is a high school choir director. As a kid my dad hauled my sister and I around in a van singing and playing gospel music with his own group “The Children of the King”. I actually started on piano, but it didn’t really stick. I played drums with The Children of the King, but soon I started playing the guitar. It was very natural. Because of my Dad we always had at least a couple of guitars lying around. Most of my early playing was traditional music, gospel, hymns, and whatever was in the Mel Bay book! My folks were very religious so rock and roll was out of the question. My dad however used to sit us in front of the TV every Saturday for Lawrence Welk, at 7 then Hee Haw at 8 and that was where I got to see guys really playing professionally. I loved Roy Clark, still consider him an early inspiration.

2. Were there any events, people or catalysts that were musically influential? 

Other than having a “musical family” the single most important thing that happened to me, and the reason that I am doing what I am doing today is because I met Tony Janflone Sr. I started studying with Tony in my late teens and he remains a friend and mentor to this day. I went from knowing a few chords and couple of riffs to having a good understanding of harmonic structure and being able to improvise quiet well in about 18 months. I also got my first pro gig during this time as well.

3. You are the owner of www.YourGuitarist.com which is a web site offering custom guitar tracks for artists worldwide. What inspired you to create the company? 

I was trying to think of new ways to play guitar professionally other than the usual, gigging, and trying to land session work. I also wanted to have a business that allowed me the opportunity to easily work with musicians from all over the world. With the speed at which the internet is growing it became obvious to me that the time for this type of business is now. I see a time in the near future when online collaboration will be very common place. I think that it is a really exciting time to be making music.

4. Explain how the company has evolved to the present day?

The company is still evolving. I’ve heard it said that every over night sensation is a least 7 years in the making, and yourguitarist.com is not quiet a year old yet. I think in this business that still qualifies as sperm. LOL! That being said we have recently added some other players and we are now able to offer drum tracks, bass, and keys as well as complete demo production for songwriters.

5. How many guitarists do you employ who are available to create custom guitar tracks for your clients?

I am “the show” with regards to the guitar around here. So when someone contracts for guitar work they have my ear directly.

6. What kind of studio equipment is used to produce the music you record?

I have a pretty standard set up. I record with a PC running, Cubase, Acid, Sound Forge, T-Racks, Riffworks. I have dozens of mics, including, AKG, Audio Technica, Sure, etc.

7. What is your personal guitar studio setup?

I will run various amps into the PC via the Koch Loadbox. For a “British” sounds I prefer my Budda Superdrive 30. I have a couple of old Fenders for the more American tones. I will track with whatever guitar will get me the tone and vibe that I need. That can be a Les Paul, PRS, Telecaster or Strat.

8. What does your live set up consist of?

I either use a non master volume Marshall or DrZ Maz Jr head into my Genz-Benz 2x12 Cabinet. The Benz has been reloaded with Celestion Vintage 30s for a sweeter top end. My favorite guitar to gig with is my Highway 1 Fender Telecaster. I use the PRS depending on the gig. I have an Epiphone Les Paul Special set up for slide work. Anyone that knows me knows that I love stomp boxes. I change my pedal board around a lot, but my Jekyll & Hyde pedal, and MXR Compressor are important to my live sound. I’ve recently added the Seymour Duncan SFX-1 pickup booster to my set up.

9. What software does your company use to make it possible to collaborate with songwriters?

That’s the great thing about this. You don’t need any special software. You need email, and some program to play music. Almost everything can be done with basic Windows or Mac programs or some kind of share ware. If you want to the guitar tracks by themselves to mix with your other tracks you can use any type of audio editing software to do that. You send me your song however you want to. I can even accept scratch tracks on cassette. When it’s ready I send you to a special web page to preview. If you are satisfied, you have it right there or if you have to have a CD I can FedEx it to you. 

10. Does your company share music copyrights with clients?

Only when the nature of the collaboration is such that we have actually co-written their piece with them.

11. Who handles the legal aspects of your company?

I assure you that I am completely legal.

12. Do you own your own publishing and record company?

We will be launching our own label this spring called Guitar Lounge.

13. Not only are you the founder of www.yourguitarist.com but you are also actively performing and touring. Do you tour with your clients?

I have some live shows planned with Supermonkey, Terry Patterson, and Shelley Duff. My own band, Lou Lombardi’s Strangelove starts gigging in February and is planning a tour this fall.

14. How many CD’s have you released as a solo artist?

I have several CDs with other bands of with whom I have written and produced, most of the music and done most of the guitar work. I am in the process of releasing the music that I did with Singer/Songwriter Ruschelle Dillon. We are shopping that material to film, TV and video games. I have recently started my own band and we are now in the writing and rehearsal stage. An EP is in the works for the spring.

15. Name some of your favorite venues to play live at and where are they located?

The Hard Rock Cafe in Philadelphia, it’s just always such a good time there. The Pepsi Roadhouse (just out side of Pittsburgh) is a great place to play and to see a band as well.

16. When you’re not on tour is there a venue that you play regularly at? 

I can usually be found at some seedy joint, on stage, guitar in hand, stirring up trouble.

17. What have been the highs and lows of your music career so far?

I’m on a real high right now with yourguitarist.com. 

I feel that I am working on something very important. People have been telling me for a long time to start my own group, and I am enjoying being a band leader too. The lowest point was in June 2001 when my good friend and drummer David Learn died suddenly. I didn’t play music for 2 years after that.

18. Do you currently have a manager and booking agent if so, who?

I am self managed at this point.

19. What music associations are you affiliated with?

MusicDish.net. They do a lot of PR for me. Thanks Eric and Sounni!

20. What are your plans for 2007 and did you make any New Year resolutions? 

Oh the usual. Gig, record, start a record label, world domination.

For more info on Lou Lombardi visit:

www.YourGuitarist.com