01. Prior to founding The Brambles you were with a band called The Agents. Can you share a few details and highlights of this band?
When The Agents were forming I was the last member to join. I really liked the fact that I was the only guitar player. It forced me to be a better player. I had a ton of originals and the band was into it at first. Little by little the band became mine in regards to writing and organizing gigs, photo shoots etc. As expected people quit and it really became my project. It became mine because I was always a hustler and go – getter. The Agents had recorded 4 songs and released one single on Northside Records (Flashcubes record label) “Don’t Forget Me” was the A side. The single sold well over a 1000 copies. That was before the internet and I was quite proud of our success. There was some big time label interest at that time Elektra was one. To this day if I see a fan from those days they will yell “AGENTS”, I just smile and wave. What can you say? 02. Upon founding The Brambles in 1987, you took on the tasks of being the primary songwriter, guitarist, vocals and organizer, which is a lot of responsibilities. Often with many bands the members have disagreements as to how things should be, including things such as how the songs should be played, instruments, venues, wardrobes, stage presentations, etc. and sometimes particular members resent authority or being told how to do things, or can't be depended on to even show up, which can be frustrating & stressful and often damaging to the bands progress. Did you ever experience any such conflicts or feel overwhelmed with having so much of the responsibilities?
Yes there were discussions on who should do what. It always came back to me, so once again I did the work or it would not get done. I think resentment might be the wrong word. The Brambles were 3 individuals that expected Tim to do the work and when I did I think insecurities arose. I was the songwriter and main singer and I always would encourage the others to write and sing. I think they felt at times it was The Tim Anthony Show. I never felt that way. I always loved being in a band, bouncing off each other. Especially The Brambles, I really miss that time and that particular band. I still love those guys.
03. Back in the 90's you spent most of your time touring with your band "The Brambles" in Europe and all over The United States. How successful were these tours and what was the most honorable recognition or achievement earned with it?
Well success is a thing that you need perspective with. When The Brambles started in our hometown, like any other band we struggled to get the name out. We played many gigs before we got some attention. The early Brambles recorded but never released a record. Although The Brambles released several cd’s as a duo. When we started to tour America as a duo things started to really excel. People treated us like celebs and wanted many autographs. We were touring many Borders Books and Music stores, that’s where we started to rise above the fray. We would play about 60 different stores a year and sell our product right on stage. We had no product table or helpers. An example was a store in Cape Cod ,Mass where we had played a week before and people came in to buy our current cd back then. This was repeated in a bunch of stores. Store managers started calling Borders Corporate headquarters and asking for The Brambles “Holiday From Love”. Borders contacted me and we got national distribution in America. This was a real high for us. This one show in St Pete, Florida we were treated like royalty. The entire staff came to greet us .It was our own little Bramblemania.Our tour of The U.K was wonderful. One show before we even played there was a crowd surge towards us and it was pretty scary. We thought they hated us because we were Americans. But they were really excited to meet us and get autographs. One guy we met, his name was Mark and he was 35 years old. He had asked how long we would be hanging around after the show. We said about 30 minutes or so. He then ran out of the show really fast. We could not figure out why he ran away. Upon his return he had ripped his pants on his knee and there was blood. We asked him where he went and why was he running. His reply” I had to get to an ATM and return to us before we left to buy our cd. I looked at Lou and said “Well partner I guess we have made it” We like England.
04. There once was a time when the heavy weights of the music industry pursued you, such as: David Geffen & Carole Childs (Geffen Records), Jimmie Ienner, famed producer (Raspberries, Grand Funk, Bay City Rollers), Rachel Matthews, Bruce Lundvall (Capitol Records, Elektra Records), Aaron Jacoves (A&M Records) Lennie Petze (Sony Music) & Irving Azoff... Were you offered contracts by any of these record labels? And if so, with whom and what were your reasons for not signing with them?
All these industry heavy weights were interested at one time or another. Geffen called several times during my dinner as I recall. He offered a development deal over the phone. Basically they would fly me to LA and record me look at me smell me, you know see if I passed muster. After talking to him and his VP Carole Childs, I said ok lets go. Never to hear from him again. I even mailed another set of songs to Geffen only to have him not accept unsolicited material. It was heart breaking. Jimmie Ienner called to say my song “Traciann” was a bonafide hit. He did not want to peruse it though. Gay Lynn Kaiser at RCA wanted to sign me based on one song I sent her “Happy Ending”. A week later she called to say the boss upstairs was not impressed. Many close calls, near misses if you will. I have had 3 or 4 management deals. Several publishing deals. Most recently I signed a deal with 5 ALARM MUSIC. They are responsible for sending my songs to TV, FILM and whoever needs songs to be in the background.
05. A few of your songs have been played on MTV & VH-1 networks on reality shows, NBC's Friday Night Lights, HBO & PBS specials, Discovery, New Talent and throughout various Cinemas in America, which is some great accomplishments in getting your foot in the door with TV & Cinema and certainly something to be proud of. But my question is: Has any of this TV/Cinema exposure made a significant difference in gaining recognition and/or in creating a boost in your music sales?
Actually I have had over 160 song placements but not all pay. I check my BMI stats weekly. YES, this has helped getting exposure and has helped sales tremendously. You know it is funny, these are all the same songs I have worked with for years or same style anyways and now people think I am credible or something. I have not changed it is those around me or those finding out about me now. People hear my name more now and investigate my songs and hence the purchases have grown.
06. From my own observations in listing to your music, I can detect some reflections of your inspirations/influences. For example: "Maryellen", "I want To Be With You", "The Kick Inside", "Don't Forget Me", which in my opinion although different in lyrics and having a strong consistent style of your own, I would compare the style of these songs in similarity to some of the Beatles songs, such as: "She Loves Me", "Eight Days A Week", "We Can Work It Out", "In My Life" among many others. In ways of being tightly arranged songs with sweet heart felt, but yet cheerful, optimistic lyrics & strong melodies driven by power packed upbeat guitar riffs, drum beats and harmonies delivered in the form of brit pop. My question is: While writing and performing your songs, is this something you carefully arrange with direct intent to reflect your influences as such?
Naturally I adore The Beatles or any song with a brit pop style. It is just what I like. So my songs favor that. I do not think I sound like The Beatles, I think I just have the same melodic bent. When I write a new song I do not try to purposely sound like anyone but me. But I do look at arrangements of songs, for example short hooky intros. Repeating choruses with a hook. No long guitar solos. Harmonies and gang choruses. Melody is the most important thing. Whether you sing alone with an acoustic guitar or in front of a sixty piece orchestra.
07. Many of your songs are written about love, heartbreak, bouncing back on the rebound with strong optimism and some of your album titles include: THINGS THAT ONCE WERE, HOLIDAY FROM LOVE, THE HAPPY DOOR... Are these songs & album titles written from your own life experiences with love and relationships, or are they formatted in such away of just another Silly Love Song to keep in stride with the classic brit pop and optimistic love songs of the Beatles and other inspirations?
Most of the songs I write are based on my life at the time or things I have observed at that time. Sometimes I write about other people and their heartache. One song comes to mind “She’ll Never Know” was one I wrote about my cousin Lou Anthony and his divorce. I have recently written another song “Tomorrow” it is about Sir Paul McCartney and his recent divorce. I wrote a song for a film recently called “The World’s Closing In”, I hope they use it. I have written soooo many songs about my life that once in a while it good to write about something else. It really frees you up emotionally. 08. Which of your albums has been the most successful in sales? And do you agree that this album is your best work?
THE HAPPY DOOR, hands down. That album got me my current publishing deal and seems to have opened up the world to Tim Anthony. You know it is funny a lot of people from around the world never knew I was or am in The Brambles. So now they buy Bramble cd’s as well. I do not know if it is my best work or not. I think I have written some good solid songs on The Bramble releases as well. Hopefully my best work lies ahead. Some people have said that “Traciann” is my best song. That song is from 1983 so go figure. 09. Off the charts and away from the media and public opinions. Speaking purely from your own heart. Out of all of the songs you have written and recorded, which is your personal favorite and what makes this song so special to you?
“Traciann” & “Falling”, I personally think these are two of my best songs. It is hard to just name a few but these two will do for now. When I wrote them I was going through tremendous heartache. The kind where you think you will die. Well I did not. But these two songs I felt were really at a pro level and the recordings came out just as I heard them in my head.
10. Do you currently have some new projects with your music in the works?
Yes I am finishing up another proper solo cd. After that I am working on a Bramble release. It is a bunch of songs we recorded as a trio and I am cleaning up the tracks. I am going to release them warts and all. A time capsule if you will. I will be adding some live tracks and radio interviews. I find people enjoy learning behind the scene things. Also Ed James and I are going to do a project together. So I have a lot on the burner.
11. Are you currently performing live shows or planning future tours?
Yes I perform shows around my home-based area. I am making an effort in 2009 to expand that to Europe and Japan & Australia. A lot of work but it is fun. I played in The UK a few years ago but that was a Bramble tour. This will be solo.
12 You recently founded Jealousy Records, can you tell us a little about that and give us a projection of the companies goals and incentives.
Actually Jealousy Records has been around since 1990. It only lately it’s star seems to be rising. I am always looking for great new talent to add to the roster. There are some new great artists the label is pursuing. Also some more tributes in the future. The label has taken a life of it’s own and is keeping everyone at the label busy. Our goal is to keep releasing great pop and great pop tributes and discover some new talent. We just released a great album by SKOOBER a duo from Ithaca, NY. They are really wonderful with a female singer.
13. With independent music rapidly growing with the new advanced home/studio recording technologies of today, where do you see the music industry 10 years from now, as far as indie vs major?
Well I have my own studio and love it. The problem with everyone having a studio is not all artists are that great. Now everyone can release a cd and some really should not. The people really benefiting from the new technology are the pressing plants. They don’t care what you sound like; they just take your money. In the old days you had to be really great to get a deal. Now everybody and his mom can release a cd and they really should not. I think 10 years from now the music will just be shit. I mean look at the stuff that is big, Rap what a joke. You mumble some words big deal. Where are the Marvin Gaye’s of today? As we advance we go backwards I think anyway. There has been a huge advance in technology in recording but precious little soul survives in studios what with cut, copy and paste. I think digital tools are great but auto tuning on vocals and instruments, give me a break. Either you sing in tune or you don’t. I mean all these kids want to be stars and have never even been in a band or really learn their instrument or write songs. They all want it handed to them. Entitlement and that sucks. But with bands like Rooney and The Click Five and of course Neil Finn (Crowded House) there might be some hope for melody.
14. What is Tim Anthony's ultimate musical goal that would complete your musical career and bring it full circle?
To tour more on a grander scale .To open shows for some of my heroes. Eric Carmen, Paul McCartney & Neil Finn. Also to get more songs in TV & FILMS. Keep releasing music until I die.
15. This one is going to sound a little odd, but I assure you it is not intended in any malicious way and with it I send you my sweetest blessings! But hypothetically speaking, since I know you are just dying to write some more lyrics. If you were to die tomorrow, what musical lyrics/scripture written in your own words should be engraved on your headstone that would best describe Tim Anthony?
If you’re lucky you get 75 summers, don’t waste them. Tim Anthony was a solid singer who wrote some great songs and made people smile. He did it!
16. Please feel free to include any additional information that you would like share?
I am going to release more albums either solo or with The Brambles and with pop god Ed James. I am going to tour as much as possible and with the help of my publisher get more songs placed in TV shows like I did with “MARYELLEN” on NBC. Keep fighting the good fight. I will not go quietly into that dark night.
Thank you Jan for the opportunity and your kindness.
Thank you for helping to support Psychedelic Central by becoming a part of it and in taking the time to do this interview, I greatly appreciate it!
Jan :)
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