Tim Wheatley 78 Benz Interview

Tim Wheatley 78 Benz Interview

Off the back of his Top 10 ARIA album, 2015's Cast of Yesterday, alternative folk/rock troubadour Tim Wheatley has announced his third single off the release, 78 Benz, and an accompanying film clip that's steeped in nostalgia. To celebrate the release, Wheatley will be returning to Australia in June for two exclusive performances at The Marlborough Hotel Sydney on June 2 and The Grace Darling Melbourne on June 10.

78 Benz is a rambling, guitar-driven ode to those who follow their passion, despite the rejection and struggle that accompanies it. Produced by Paul Mckercher (You Am I, Sarah Blasko, Josh Pyke) and mixed by Niko Bolas (Neil Young, Johnny Cash, Warren Zevon), Wheatley's effortless vocals float gently atop a bed of acoustic strumming, emotive harmony and country-inspired licks. Drawing inspiration from a despondency stemming from pursuing several different creative projects at once, Wheatley explains, 'I had been in LA nearly a year, playing shows, writing, and turning my hand to other things like modelling and acting. I was juggling three passions, in which rejection is an integral part, and really struggling with it… ironically, as much as it was taking its toll on me, 78 Benz, my favourite song on the record, would never have come about with the absence of struggle."

The clip for 78 Benz depicts Tim as a creative chameleon, trying his hand at an array of different artistic disciplines with infectious optimism. Working with director Andrew Noel, Tim describes the process of making the clip, 'In staying true to the lyric, Andy and I wanted to depict a few of the things I tried after moving to Los Angeles... I was struggling with a few of the 'necessary evils' within industries I was quite unfamiliar with. I think Andy captured 'looking to the bright of otherwise trying times' really well."

In light of the release, Wheatley will be returning to home soil in June to play two intimate shows in Sydney and Melbourne. Excited about the upcoming trip, Tim enthuses, 'I can't wait to get back to Australia, and for people to hear this song. In fact, I wish I was staying in Australia longer!"

 

Listen: 78 Benz             
View video: 78 Benz                 
Purchase: Cast of Yesterday

Tim Wheatley 78 Benz Single Launch Dates
Thurs 2 June | The Marlborough Hotel (Marly Bar) | Newtown, Sydney
Fri 10 June | Grace Darling Hotel | Collingwood, Melbourne

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Interview with Tim Wheatley

Question: How would you describe Cast of Yesterday?

Tim Wheatley: A look back at the people along the way in my life… Villains, heros and everyone in-between that I have had the pleasure to encounter in the years I spent figuring out what I wanted to do.


Question: What was the main inspiration behind the track, 78 Benz?

Tim Wheatley: My first year in Los Angeles proved trying. 78 Benz is song about me putting my pride aside and assessing whether to head home with my tail between my legs, or drawing strength and humility from those I admire and sticking it out.


Question: Can you tell us about the film clip for 78 Benz?

Tim Wheatley: I endevoured to capture -looking to the bright side of otherwise trying times'. I wasn't having much luck with my new found acting -career', and was struggling with the rejection. So we had a bit of fun re-enacting failed auditions. It would have been easy to take an old car out to the dessert and live out the cliche… but alas, we resisted.


Question: Did you have any pre-conceived ideas about the music industry?

Tim Wheatley: No. I know what I'm getting into. I accept it will be almost impossible to make a living in this day and age. Online streaming is a way for everyone to have access to music, but we the artists will not be able to sustain a career if we don't change this.


Question: Do you write your own songs? What's your inspiration?

Tim Wheatley: Yes I do… Nothing interests me about playing other peoples songs. I draw my inspiration from my surroundings and people. I also try to embrace my flaws as man, and put them into words, as it's something that I really appreciate hearing from my favorite songwriters.


Question: What music/artists do you listen to when you are not playing your own?

Tim Wheatley: Ryan Adams, Bruce Springsteen, Jackson Browne, The Band.


Question: Was there a moment you contemplated throwing in the towel?

Tim Wheatley: Every time I see an ad for -The Voice'.


Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

Tim Wheatley: Performing live is what I live for. I don't get nervous, I get anxious to play.

Anyone can record these days, and whilst it's great fun to hear your hard work come together, nothing compares to -moving' a room full of strangers.


Question: What/who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?
Tim Wheatley: My father. He raised me around such good people within the music business, that I desperately wanted to be a part of it.


Question: What is the biggest challenge you have faced along the way to your musical success?

Tim Wheatley: My last name. Its synonymous with success in the music business which turned a lot of people away, and closed a lot of doors, especially while I was younger and admittedly hadn't done the -hard yards'.


Question: What has been your favourite part of becoming a music artist?

Tim Wheatley: With the benefit of hindsite, I appreciate the trying times, the bad shows, disastrous tours, terrible songs and poor decisions. It truly adds to the tapestry of your music. It now makes me appreciate every clap, record sale or ticket sold. The absence of struggle breeds complaicentsy.


Question: If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

Tim Wheatley: You said -artist' not musician, this opens it right up. I would love to collaborate with someone who could puts images to my words and music OR vice versa. It could even be just a single image or interpretation. What would -Cast Of Yesterday' look like as an oil painting? Can someone capture -The Heathen' in a photo? Or make a movie about -Valerie'?


Interview by Brooke Hunter