Meet... Tim Chadwick

From his breakout single, 'I Need to Know' to where he is now - the down to earth rising Irish singer-songwriter Tim Chadwick is continuing to work in his own lane without care and proves that with his latest EP 'Timothy'.

Photo Credit: Zyanya Lorenzo

Spanning across an emotive five-track project, Tim showcases his ability through soft yet hard-impacting vocals alongside minimalistic production as he delves into the world of loneliness, self-reflection and regaining confidence.

Whilst he was set for a quiet lockdown of honing his craft and reliving the past few years of success, Tim went on to produce an EP based on the personal experiences he has witnessed. Opening his account with the upbeat and joyful singles of 'Favourite Song' and 'Only Me' - fans were shown a much more vulnerability yet honest side of the artist with the heart-wrenching ballad 'In Another Life' and piano-led 'Search Party'.

As he enjoys the oaths of Ireland, Vibez caught up with Tim to talk about the meaning of his latest project, the missing feeling of performing live and what he has lined up...

Firstly, what has the past couple of months been like for you and do you have your eyes on anything for 2021?

Thank you for asking. The last few months have been a bit up and down. January was a tough month, but I feel like that was to be expected. But I’m getting into gear now so, I feel great. I want this new EP to reach more and more people. I hope it travels well. Playing a show is at the top of my “when all this is over...” list.

Formerly based in Ireland, you started your music career with your successful debut single 'Belong' but, what made you venture into the world of music?

I love singing. I’ve loved how it makes me feel since day one. It helps me channel a lot of good and bad moments in life and, it’s great as an escape but also as a medium for processing - everyone has got to have their thing. I never thought music was on the cards as a career until much later. I wish I had known sooner.

You have released a series of singles over the past five years with a mixture of stripped-back ballads to alt-pop but, how would you describe your sound to fans?

I would say its dance/cry music. A lot of my songs have been coined as 'sad bangers’, which I enjoy. Songs that have light and pop-leaning production, but the lyrics are more heavy-hitting.

Whilst the world is on pause, you have taken lockdown in your stride and have gone to create a whole body of work with a new EP. Did you ever see yourself at the beginning of this chaos that you would be venturing this pathway?

Oh. I really wouldn’t say in my stride - there has been a lot of wobbly days but thank you. I was in shock at the beginning of the chaos. Like most, I couldn’t comprehend what was happening. I’m a control freak, so this was my nightmare. Music was the last thing on my mind. I had nothing to say and, life wasn’t happening, so I found it hard to light a match to inspiration. When the dust settled around June for me, I started to feel slightly more myself and, music became a bit more possible.

The forthcoming EP is called Timothy and consist of five-tracks. What is the overall theme of the project and, what do you hope to achieve from it?

I think the overarching theme is self-love and accountability. I had a lot to relearn about who I was after a breakup and, this EP helped me take a long hard and much-needed look at myself.

You have already released 'If I Gotta Run' and 'Only Me' but, what is your favourite track of the EP and why?

This changes all the time. My current favourite is In Another Life, just because I’m still proud of the imagery behind it. The next single will be ‘Favourite Song’ and, as the release gets closer and closer, it’s becoming a recent fave.

In addition to new music, you hope to headline legendary Whelan's in Dublin and the Academy Dublin - what do you love so much about performing live and, what have you missed from the adventures of touring?

I miss how intertwined it is with actual reality. As musicians nowadays, we have to be constantly “online”. I find that hard because it comes down to perception more so than reality. At shows, you feel the real deal and, people see that. You get to show who you are, what you do and how you do it. That’s hard to do with one Instagram post and a witty caption. I miss everything to do with touring and playing shows. I miss my bandmates and how we all rally around each other. I miss seeing my friends and peers play because I’ve never felt more inspired than when I see my friend’s kill it on stage. This is what I mean by the reality of music.

You've had a whirlwind of a career, but in your own words, how would you describe your past five years and what has been the most important thing you've learnt?

I feel like most of that whirlwind has been happening inside my head. It’s a mess in there, but I’m slowly starting to tidy things up. I’ve learned a lot over the last few years and, I’ve made a lot of much-needed mistakes.

Every year I feel more like the artist I want to be. But in saying that, 5 years ago I thought I knew who I was. I look back now and think “who was that?”. I think it’s all about accepting change and growth and going with the flow. I’m trying to navigate and create a road to a stable and long term career. I don’t see myself on a road to fame. I don’t want that. I just know I want to be successful - and that shit takes time, so I’ve heard.

In other words, who have you been listening to throughout lockdown that you think we should have a peep at?

A LOT of Hayley Williams. Her two recent albums Petals for Armor and Flowers for Vases / descanos have changed my life. But on constant repeat: Maggie Rogers, MUNA, Haim, Christine and The Queens, Phoebe Bridgers, Caroline Polachek. I recommend them all!

Finally, with your new EP coming out at the start of March and, you're most likely going to put up your feet and have a breather – what is the dream for you?

I already have the bones of another EP or maybe even an album. It needs a lot of fleshing out, but there is something there that I’m excited to delve into. I’m still processing a lot of what has happened in the last year, so no doubt more and more is going to come to me as I start to make sense of it all if that’s even possible. I’ve learnt not to get my hopes up on things, but I would like to see this new EP and all that is to come to reach the right people and for them to accept it and let it into their lives.