Soulful pop rockers Tim Be Told got one of the most positive reviews we’ve ever seen our critical blogger GT dole out, and as they are currently touring the States, having all kinds of adventures, we thought we’d ask them to tell all about the crazy on tour antics. Learn more about their rise to fame at the University of Virginia, listen to a stream of their album on our site, and check their tourdates so you don’t miss them when they come to your town.

So this blog entry is a little late, but here it goes.  Two Thursdays ago, Steve, Jack and I witnessed one of the more memorable musical experiences I’ve ever been been a part of: The Watkins Family Hour at the Largo in Los Angeles.

It wasn’t just the ridiculous collective talent displayed on stage that left me at loss for words, it was the intimate, conviction-filled way they connected with the audience through their blend of folk and Americana.  Forget the overproduction, the pro-tools, and the auto-tune, strip music down to its most raw, basic level and let it carry its own weight and speak for itself.  Not to mention the guest appearance of John C. Reilly…yes, that John C. Reilly.  Shake and bake.

However, the best part of the evening was yet to come.  Right before their set ended, they announced that they would continue the party at the even more intimate space next door, appropriately named “The Little Room.”

No Words Needed

We sat within inches of the Watkins siblings, John C. Reilly, Gillian Welch, David Rawlings, and the one and only Brad Mehldau (whose surprise showing caused quite a stir amongst the folks on stage).   A bit of a disclaimer: the correct spelling is indeed “Mehldau”, the spelling on the note depicted below is incorrect.  They performed originals, old gospel tunes, and covered artists ranging from Johnny Cash to Weezer.  Amazing.  We seriously couldn’t believe that we were fortunate enough to witness what we saw that night.  It served as a good reminder of what music is truly about – connecting with people at the gut level and leaving them with something meaningful to hold onto.

Peace,

Jim

P.S. Our good friend Jon Moy filmed some footage of our time in SoCal and was kind enough to make a highlight reel of our stay, so enjoy this clip and look out for more great stuff from him!