Tim Hulsman
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Tim Hulsman

The two big themes in life are love and death, according to musician Tim Hulsman. Following his 2014 album Dead Man’s Garden, Tim is now tackling the latter theme with his up coming album Get Loved, which sees less blues and more positive connotations compared to his previous release.

“I love the journey we’ve created with it. I was just looking back trying to find a theme, create a title for the album…looked at all the songs and it’s all really about self empowerment, it’s about loving yourself and realising that you are different and that’s okay,” Tim says.

That being said, Tim says most artists are their own harshest critics, and for the first time, he’s listened back to the whole album some 300 times, and still loves every note, signifying to both himself and his fans that he’s produced an album he is most proud of.

Currently on his Monster Tour around the country, titled after his first single from Get Loved, the track has since been a hit at every show, getting some radio play in unexpected places and impressing industry veteran Stuart Coupe from Sydney Dirt radio 2SER.

“I’ve obviously sent it out to places I know to try get some plays, but I’m getting all this info that it’s even getting a bit of a push in the US,” he says.

‘Monster’ was chosen as the first single for release due to its gritty subject matter, beginning as a song about Tim’s own dance with substance addiction.

“Sitting down writing the song about addiction, I realised it can be seen as being about religious beliefs or peoples philosophy’s as well. Every line can be seen as either an innuendo about drugs or an innuendo about religion.”

Comparatively, the tracks music video sees Tim running through Geelong, pulling things like gambling chips, tabloids and other material things from his pockets, while the editing and scene cutting is almost seamless for something that was shot entirely by an iPhone. While Tim says the DIY video wasn’t just due to a small budget, but also as an appreciation for older types of streetwise videos, from back in the 80s and early 90s.

With the single Monster gaining traction, a full band tour and new set list, and the album itself getting a fair amount of love, 2017 is looking like Tim Hulsman’s year. As a man very appreciative of his fans, Tim will be releasing singles ‘collectible editions’ with b-side tracks exclusively on vinyl, but most endearingly, he reveals his desire to play house performances for fans, whereby Tim is open to going into a fans home and performing in the lounge room.

“It’s wonderful, you know that the people there are there to see you, and they sit and they really listen. It’s a really lovely causal environment. You all fall in love with each other for the night you know, I love them and they love me, we have a really great time’.

Get Loved is due to be released in February.

Written by Melissa Davis

When & Where: Babushka Bar, Ballarat – December 16 & The Workers Club, Geelong – December 17.