Exposed Vocals Interviews Timber Tiger

Exposed Vocals: How did you hear about Exposed Vocals? What made you decide to sign up?

Timber Tiger: A buddy of mine retweeted a post of yours, so I went to see what you guys were all about

Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?

Timber Tiger: When I was a child growing up in Massachusetts I was always interested in music.  My siblings and I all started learning instruments in elementary school. We all played something different. Once they all gave up playing their instrument, I would pick it up and learn it. We had a grand piano, violin, cello, flute, trumpet, drums, a guitar, and a bass guitar. I was really the only who showed constant interest.

Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?

Timber Tiger: Weird story really. I was dj/producing under another name for a few years. A few friends of mine kidnaped me and took me to this festival in Washington called Barter Fair. While we were there we all had walkie talkies and handles. The first day we were there someone stole my handle, so my friends decided to start calling me Timber Tiger.

Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?

Timber Tiger: To me a lot of the music culture is about sharing. I give most of my music away for free but I have an upcoming release, so It would be nice to make a little bit of money. Either way if they pay for it or not, it doesn’t really bother me as long as they are enjoying my music.

Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?

Timber Tiger: I found that the best way to book gigs is to get out to a bunch of venues and get to know the other artists in your area. Most of them seem to be rather helpful of persuading a promoter to give you a shot. Not only that some of these guys also run venues of their own. 

Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?

Timber Tiger: Oh ya for sure. The best way to deal with it is honestly just to push through it. My last gig I had 2 equipment failures during my set. The audience still stayed actively involved. Once I got off stage I was still getting praise. It was like it never even happened.

Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?

Timber Tiger: I have done a few mini tours, but nothing extravagant.

Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?

Timber Tiger: I’m usually inspired by fellow artists, friends, family and even life in general. My song writing process might be rather unusual. I produce my music using an Ubuntu Linux machine running Bitwig. I’m pretty much stuck to the default vst’s, and they dont sound too great. I record samples constantly wherever I am. Once I get home I load them into a sampler and basically turn them into their own synth.

Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?

Timber Tiger: I do, timbertigermusic.weebly.com I also use facebook, twitter, and soundcloud.

Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?

Timber Tiger: I would have to say Aqua – Barbie Girl (Doug Festival Trap Remix)

Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?

Timber Tiger: I would most likely get new DJ equipment first, as most of my gear is toast from loaning it out, and bringing to outdoor festivals, after that I would repay the kindness to those of have done nice things for me. As for a year off, I don’t think I would want that. I like to stay busy.

Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?

Timber Tiger: I hope to replace my cdj’s soon as 1 is completely inoperational same with my APC-40. Right now I’m working off of borrowed equipment for gigs.

Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?

Timber Tiger: Just getting out to venues and talking to people. I’ll flip them my soundcloud and let it go from there.

Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?

Timber Tiger: I’d have to say Deadmau5. He is a house snob like myself. Really I would like to see him perform his set up close. It is really something that interests me to learn to do, other than just playing CDJs and an APC.

Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?

Timber Tiger: There are a couple. Currently working on a new track with Samwize. Not only that I’ve been making new vj loops for myself.

Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?

Timber Tiger: Probably get put in an insane asylum. Music is really what gets me through the day from beginning to end.

Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?

Timber Tiger: I think it was Killswitch Engage, or Dropkick Murphy’s. That was such a long time ago.

Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?

Timber Tiger: Everyone around me is extremely supportive of my music career. My boss allows me time off work for it and my friends and family show up to support me. I couldn’t ask for anything better.

Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2015?

Timber Tiger: A possible tour for next year?