Within the patchwork of Joel Timmons’ debut solo album, Psychedelic Surf Country, lies a kaleidoscopic view of the career sideman and band leader’s striking self-awareness. Both in lyricism and musicality, Timmons has adopted an easy-going and reflective view of the world, creating unencumbered and accessible songs from even the most left-field subjects like lighting old Christmas trees ablaze, the highway patrol K9 who paid his band a visit between tour stops, and the tight jeans and Stetson hats that took over his former neighborhood. But it’s in the heavier subject matter, like his latest single, “End of the Empire,” where Timmons’ upbeat musical attitude shines.
“My wife, Shelby Means, started writing this song on a small boat in the Virgin Islands while surfers rode waves across a nearby reef,” remembers Timmons. It sounds picturesque, but the initial idea brought about an undercurrent of influence from a wildly different place. “My recurring dreams of doom and nightmares of being hunted by an unknown predator—as well as a sense of apocalyptic loss—figured into the co-write.” Ethereal and dreamy from the onset, “End of the Empire” floats between images of inescapable crashing waves and desperate hiding, looking for escape, but it might take listeners a couple of passes to recognize these as the song itself feels uplifting and borderline anthemic; a testament to Timmons’ positive spin. With the help of Psychedelic Surf Country producer Maya de Vitry, “End of the Empire” turns into a huge wash of harmonies and a wall of rhythm section. “The recording ended up being a rocker,” says Timmons, “and the guitar is howling.”
Fans can stream and purchase “End of the Empire” at this link, check out the premiere on Glide Magazine, listen to Timmons’ previously-released singles, “The Swimming Song,” “Guitars, Guns, and Pickup Trucks,” “Turbo,” and “The Bullfighter” featuring Shovels & Rope’s Cary Ann Hearst, at their respective links, and pre-order or pre-save Psychedelic Surf Country ahead of its February 7th release right here. Keep an eye out for more new music, tour dates, and more at joeltimmons.com.
Psychedelic Surf Country Tracklist:
Just A Man
Turbo
The Bullfighter
Guitars, Guns, and Pickup Trucks
Edge of the Empire
Cottage by the Sea
Say It To My Face
The Swimming Song
East Nashville Cowboy
Here We Are
Tryin’
Catch Joel Timmons on Tour:
2/2 - Sapphire Beach Bar - St Thomas USVI ^
2/8 - Charleston Pour House - Charleston SC
2/12 - Analog at Hutton Hotel - Nashville TN
2/15 - House Concert - Charleston SC ^
2/28-3/2 - Green Parrot Bar - Key West, FL *
3/15 - Charleston Pour House - Charleston SC *
3/19 - Tractor Tavern - Seattle, WA +
3/20 - Showdown - Portland, OR (co-bill w/ Love, Dean) +
3/22 - The Talent Club - Ashland, OR +
3/26 - The '58 @ Eastside Bowl - Nashville, TN
4/24 - Parlor Room - Northampton, MA +
5/4 - Sundays on the River - Asheville, NC +
5/23-5/25 - Rooster Walk Festival - Martinsville VA *
5/30 - Party At the Point - Mt Pleasant SC *
* = with Sol Driven Train
^ = with Sally & George
+ = with Maya De Vitry
