boston progress radio

A couple of weeks ago I had a buddy chat on AIM with three members of the band, Tim Be Told, the two remaining band mates, Andrew Chae and Parker Stanley had prior engagements. It took a little while to get into the same chatroom because we thought a multiple person chat was possible on Google chat (*it is not). But when Tim Ouyang, Jim Barredo, and Luan Nguyen finally got situated, the conversation got on a roll. Their tight brotherhood bond that mixes musical work and a I make fun of you, you make fun of me attitude was physically visible even though I was on a computer miles away.

TBT is based out of Charlottesville, Virginia but play in different East Coast cities for fans ready to embrace their musical truth. The band got together in 2006, along the way they expanded their group and deepened their inspiration to have “music transcend race.” Their melodies have a relatable tune that rings true in everyone’s lives because we all go through rough times. TBT’s harmonies have a nice acoustic touch and a strong drum base allowing for songs such as “Gravity’s Hold” and “Ordinary” from their album “Getting By” to be memorable.

Jess Man: Jack told me that you guys recorded your first record in a dorm room, how did that happen? How did you all meet?

Tim Ouyang: So about a year and a half ago, a mutual friend introduced me to Andrew and we started talking about potentially starting a band. Actually it was two and half years ago. So he ended up moving from California to Virginia in September 2006. During that time I was studying at the University of Virginia with Luan and we were singing together in a cappella group. So the band started off with me, Luan, and Andrew. It was actually really difficult to get a good quality sound. We even recorded drums in there.

Jim Barredo: And it was kind of hard working around neighbor’s schedules, making sure we wouldn’t anger too many people with loud banging.

JM: Do the words or the music come first?

Tim: The words and the music happen simultaneously. For me when I write a song, there’s usually a lyric and a melody that pops into my head and then the song almost writes itself. For me to write a song, I have to have something to write about.

JM: How does coming up with your own music/lyrics give you an advantage over singers who just sing?

Tim: I think when you sing something it comes from your soul, it sounds better. It sounds cheesy, but we all have songs ingrained in our souls, you just have to find it.

JM: So we all can be singers even if we are tone deaf?

Tim: Yes you can, just don’t sing in public.

JM: So who has the worst singing voice in the group?

Tim: Parker never sings so I don’t know, but between me, Jim, Andrew, and Luan, I would say…Jim.

JM: Jim what do you have to say about that?

Jim: I know what I can do and hitting those high notes is one of them.

Tim: Jim is gonna beat me up now.

Jim: Yes, off line, Tim is going down.

JM: Who is the ultimate goofball, serious one, prankster, ladies man, introvert?

Tim: Luan is the goofball.

Luan Nguyen: I say Andrew is the lady’s man. He’s got big muscles.

Jim: Jim is the all around stud. Wait, why did I say that about myself.

Luan: Jim is the most fun to watch and therefore is really hot on stage.

Tim: I’m probably the introvert. I am terrified of people.

JM: What’s Parker like?

Jim: Parker’s the sensitive guy, but is also pretty funny. More like sensitive to externalities.

Tim: If you make plans with Parker, don’t ever cancel. He’s the baby (Parker is 20 years old) in the group, needs more TLC.

JM: Why are you guys named Tim Be Told besides the obvious?

Tim: Sometimes we call it Jim Be Told.

Luan: Or Tim Got Old or Tim Be Old. I wasn’t so sure in the beginning if I liked TBT as the name but hey, it’s catchy and grew on me.

Jim: We’re going for mysterious and catchy.

Tim: I just wanted my name in it. It’s like “truth be told”…but replaced with Tim.

JM: Does it feel like his band, or everybody’s band?

Tim: I think we’re more of a band. I’m boring when I play solo.

Jim: I think it’s natural for bands to have one person to be more in the light but we definitely function as a band and identify ourselves as a band.

Luan:Every movie has a main character.

JM: Would you call your music Emo, with a happy beat?

Tim: Yeah…never thought of it that way. I was an angsty teen.

Jim: I don’t think it fits the classic definition of Emo, but it has elements of it. Well, the first couple of “Emo” bands were Sunny Day Real Estate, Rites of Spring, Texas is the Reason, Jimmy Eat World (pre bleed American) and that is not our sound.

Tim: I don’t know who half those bands are. We’re actually recording right now. I think our sound has evolved a lot. It’s got more rock and soul in it.

JM: In your song “Ordinary,” there is a reference to God, are you guys religious with your songs?

Tim: Well, I think the songs are about my life and God is a part of my life. So he’s going to be in my songs, but I don’t think to be pigeon holed into the religious music category. Even people who don’t subscribe to a particular religion still find our music enjoyable and it’s not so much about forcing my beliefs or anything but more about relating to people even though we’re different.

Jim: I have an atheist friend who really digs our music, just to show the type of demographic it appeals to.

Tim: I think even when I write about God…there’s more to it than just the happy clappy songs you hear in church. I mean some of the songs talk about struggles with doubt.

JM: Why do you think people are attracted to your songs and music?

Jim: The honesty.

Luan: Personally, I think at the base of it Tim writes really great and deep lyrics that people can relate to and combines it with ear grabbing melodies.

Tim: I think people are hungry for sincerity in music. They’re looking for something redemptive and not just cheap imitations.

JM: Where do you find your inspiration?

Tim: I find my inspiration in people.

Luan: Musically speaking, music has just been a part of my life since childhood and it’s just a part of who I am and expressing myself through the songs.

Tim: Music is my therapy. I write my best when I’m angry or distraught.

Jim: Music is the transcendent connector. Everyone can connect somehow through music.

Tim: I think the best compliments aren’t “hey you have a great voice”….I think what matters more is when someone says your song changed me.

JM: Sorry, I have to ask, Parker is the only white member in the group, what do you have to say to those that won’t let you perform for an event cuz you guys aren’t Asian enough?

Jim: I don’t think we’ve encountered that problem, but thanks for the heads up.

JM: Does he ever feel left out?

Tim: Parker is part Cherokee Indian, so he’s kinda Asian. Nah, Parker doesn’t feel left out. There’s only love.

Jim: He’s also Caucasian, so technically he’s Asian.

JM: But do you ever get “He’s the white guy of the band.”

Jim: Not in a negative way, but in an observatory way.

Tim: He gets more attention because of it. It makes me jealous. I definitely think he adds diversity and I think that’s a plus. Yeah, I think Parker’s really important because it was never about us being Asian, we love playing music and we happen to be largely Asian.

Jim: I never thought of myself as an Asian musician until I joined TBT. Not that I don’t like being Asian but music transcends race.

JM: Do you think you guys are becoming inspirations for aspiring Asian artists?

Tim: I get an email every two weeks from someone asking how to start a band. I tell them to stay passionate about music and to seek out other musicians, to always be open to learn new things.

For more information on Tim Be Told, please go to their website, http://timebtold.com or check out their blog, http://timbetold.com/wordpress/.

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Tags: Interview.

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