A Dirty Dozen with TIM MONTANA – October 2023

According to a recent press release: “For as much as singer/songwriter/guitarist Tim Montana may be known as a wild man (and he certainly is), he really asserts himself as a tried-and-true storyteller with his new single “Devil You Know.” The song finds Montana exploring his moody, rock ‘n’ roll roots, as the song is propelled forward by the high-octane riffs that introduce the song’s gritty and emotionally crackling and lyrically raw chorus. “Devil You Know” certainly shows off a different side of Montana’s musical personality and fans will easily gravitate towards the propulsive rhythms and energy.” We get Tim to discuss new music, influences, and more.

1. Tell us a little about your latest release, the “Devil You Know”.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

Channeled some Seattle grunge on this one! The few seconds of the storm in the intro was the day we thought we were making a demo and a wild ass storm blew in. I brought the mic outside and recorded it and it made the record!  I love little hidden things in songs.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized that you wanted to be a musician?

I was banging on pots and pans and singing at about three. Then, at about five or six, we moved off the grid in the remote wilderness of Montana and a cheap guitar showed up under the Christmas tree.  I had a lantern and a six-string and we became best friends.  I always knew this was my career from as early as I can remember.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

I started with classic rock; ZZ Top, CCR and more. Then, at about 14, I discovered Nirvana and that changed absolutely everything. I was a Nirvana die-hard all through high school and learned every song I could.

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

I’d love to have Dave Grohl on drums and to sing on a track with me. His style is his own and he has the drum beats of my childhood!

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour?  What do you like to do to unwind?

I have four kids that keep me pretty busy, but I’m also an avid outdoorsman and conservationist.  I come up with my best songs when I’m alone in the mountains or on the river.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

I’m a mountain man raised on rock ‘n roll and if it ain’t real, I’m not gonna sing it.  I don’t get too much hate mail, but I remember one in 2008 after my debut on ‘The Late Show with David Letterman’ that irritated me.. ‘Sounds like a shitty version of Kid Rock!’… I’m over it now hahaha.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

I’m definitely the cook, although my guitarist, Tom, is pretty good!  We’re always rolling with a Traeger grill on the bus so we eat well.  As for the bartender or bad idea director, that’s Kyle, the drummer, for sure!

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

I was invited by Jimmie Vaughan to see him play with Eric Clapton.  I wound up backstage and looked to my immediate right and I’m elbow to elbow with Clapton.  I would have loved to ask for a photo, but I didn’t have the ability to speak.

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

I love the live show part.  People always ask, ‘Do you get nervous to play on big stages?’ But that’s where I actually am able to let loose of all of my anxiety, cause it’s where I thrive.  I love entertaining.  As for a job other than music, I love history and archaeology!

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

I want them to ask me if I drive my own tour bus.  My answer, HELL YES! I’ve got a CDL and consider myself an expert at backing up big rigs! Question I hate: “Is that your real last name?!”  For the record, it is!

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

There’s a couple events I had a gut feeling I should not do and went against my own intuition.  Wish I wouldn’t let people convince me not to follow my own gut.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

ZZ Top’s Tres Hombre is one of the greatest of all time.  I’ve cultivated an amazing, decade-long friendship with Billy Gibbons and I would love to see him lay down his most iconic hits!  That record is on repeat and is everything to me!

TIM MONTANA LINKS:

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Category: Interviews