A Dirty Dozen with TIM MONTANA – June 2024

According to a recent press release: “Rock singer / guitarist / songwriter TIM MONTANA recently announced SAVAGE, his debut rock album, which arrives July 12. On Savage, Montana gets in touch with his undeniable rock ‘n’ roll roots. Armed with grit, guitars, and a hunger for glory, Montana has been endorsed by Dave Grohl and ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons, booked by David Letterman, and had his anthems used by the MLB and NHL. His moody, crackling, ’90s-influenced riffs and whiskey-soaked vocals reel fans in while his storytelling keeps them. Savage is a custom and combustible cocktail, served in a dirty, cracked glass that proves why Montana earned iHeartRadio’s “On The Verge” accolade. Tim Montana forges a new frontier for hard rock. Following a tumultuous and downright unbelievable childhood in a trailer off-the-grid, the singer, guitarist, and entrepreneur left his home state of Montana in the rearview at barely eighteen-years-old. Driven by a restless work ethic, he quietly carved out a niche without comparison. Along the way, he performed on The Late Show with David Letterman at the behest of the host (practically unheard of for a totally independent artist), collaborated with everyone from Billy Gibbons to Kid Rock (cracking the charts for the first time), made a fan out of Charlie Sheen (who directed the “Mostly Stoned” video), and even attracted his idol Dave Grohl to his corner.” We get Tim to discuss new music, influences, and more.

1. Tell us a little about your latest release. 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?

Savage is a pretty straightforward rock album. It’s a throwback to all my favorite 90’s and 2000’s hard rock bands with my own spin. I spent 17 years in Nashville getting my ass whipped in the riders room so I feel like I brought a little more depth in the lyrics than some folks might expect. There aren’t too many hidden nuggets in the songs but if you look at the artwork, you might find some treats.

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

I’ve been singing into spoons and banging on pans since as early as I can remember. I got my first guitar when I was six and the rest is history.

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

I started with a Guns N’ Roses tape then later got into ZZ Top and Creedence Clearwater Revival. My biggest phase was when I found grunge (specifically Nirvana) when I really realized I wanted to become a performer.

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

I’d really like to get Jerry Cantrell in the writers room or on a record in the future. Alice In Chains is very personal to me and sums up an entire era of my life.

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’m a big outdoorsman. Hunting and fishing is something I’ve done my entire life and I still find my peace in the mountains.

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?

Honest and unapologetic. I write lyrics that describe me in my experiences and they’re very honest. I occasionally get called Southern rock, which I love, but me and my guys are as northern as it gets and draw most of our influences from grunge.

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 usually the one cooking up meats on a Traeger grill on tour. My drummer Kyle owns the dirty joke and nudity space. My guitar player Tom is always fixing things and inventing things like Inspector Gadget and my bass player Jackson is usually laughing and encouraging my drummer, Kyle, to do gross things on a daily basis.

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

I’ve met most of my heroes at this point. Recently at the Sunset Marquis in Hollywood California I got to visit with Kevin Costner at the bar. I don’t usually get starstruck anymore. My upper body from the waist up was fine, but my knees did tremble when I talked to the man.

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?

The best part of being a musician is getting to travel and seeing the positive effect the music has on the listeners. If I wasn’t a musician, I would’ve likely been a firefighter or done something to help people. But if I came off the road tomorrow, I’d go work at the bar I own with Billy Gibbons in Montana called the Wise River Club.

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 can’t think of an answer to the first question. But I definitely have an answer to the second question.  “What’s your real last name?” I answer that question 5 times a week… Yes, it’s Montana and no I’m not related to Hannah!

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?

I can think of a lot of questionable moments. However, all those moments built me as an artist and got me to where I’m at today.

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?

I’ve spent so much time over the last decade with Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top) and got to know him so well that I do think it would be interesting to be in the room in the 70’s when he was recording songs like “La Grange” and “Tush.” I wonder if he’d be any different and what that writing and recording process was like for him back then.

TIM MONTANA LINKS:

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Category: Interviews