A handful of months ago (four to be exact), I had the pleasure of interviewing Tim Bruton at the Kazoo Zine fest in Guelph. Being the professional interviewer that I am I forgot to bring a camera or recording device of any kind. Fortunately a nice lady named Sarah Mangle, of These Things that People Make, was kind enough to record the audio. A few months later I ran into Tim at a Jays game and took the pictures I've used here so please keep in mind that while the pictures of us are from the Jays game the actual interview was done in Guelph.
Also, this was my first time doing a live interview at an actual event with a real crowd and so on though most of them were busy checking out the zines and other miscellaneous what-have-you. I began the interview with a bit of a preamble.
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Just to let everyone know there are a few hazards we're dealing with today that might have an impact on the interview. First of all we have two glasses of water that are precariously sitting on this chair where they could easily be spilled and secondly Tim has been suffering from some nosebleeds today and that could start up again at any moment. He's also wearing a white shirt. If anything does go wrong I'm hoping that no one will freak out or panic.
Also for some reason I thought this event was going to be at the eBar and so I have it in my notes that I was to get both of us a scotch because you've had a few long bus rides this weekend and I thought we'd sit down and relax with some scotches while we talked but, as we're not at a licensed venue, we have water and cupcakes instead.
That's great.
Yes, so I don't know if we actually want to eat the cupcakes during the interview but they're there for us.
So Tim, how was your bus ride into town?
It was great – speedy and efficient.
Good, and you're going to London tonight?
Yes, I'm playing another show.
So it's a busy weekend. But that's sort of the norm for you isn't it?
That's right, I'm a busy guy.
So here we are in Guelph, the city where we met and became friends. Would you also say that this is the city where we became men?
Maybe you did.
Are you saying that you have yet to become a man or-
I guess, I'm not sure if I've become a man just yet...
I'm sorry to hear that.
Anyways, I wanted to talk about some key D'Urbervilles shows I've been to in Guelph.
Sure.
Right, so the first time you guys were playing at the old Ed Video location on the top floor. What I remember is that you had a mascot at the time, that you sounded a little bit like pavement and I believe that you and Kyle were both wearing tunuki suits but Colin and John were not.
Yeah, they were actually Carebear suits with emblems on the stomachs but that's not really something we did after that show.
And why is that?
Well we thought it would be a good idea but it ended up not being a very good idea so we stopped wearing them.
Interesting. So I also remember that when you guys made your EP and played a house show on Grange for the release and it was the first show where I felt like I would have paid to see it even if you guys hadn't been my friends.
That's nice.
And also, I'm not sure if you'll agree but I'm pretty sure that the EP was my idea.
What do you mean?
Well I remember suggesting to John that you guys should record something and he was like "I don't know" so I said that even if it wasn't a full length album it would be good to have something for people to buy at shows and he was like "well, maybe" and then a few months later you guys had an EP.
Well, I suppose we should have thanked you then.
I think so.
Also, you might think it was just a coincidence but last night I saw John AKA "Diamond Rings" play a show and he was wearing a leather coat onstage for the first time. The last time I saw him it had been at the Tranzac on New Years and afterwards I was telling him "John, that was a great set but I really think Diamond Rings needs a leather coat- I think that would take you to the next level" and I didn't think he had been listening at the time but when I asked about it last night he said that he had been listening and that's part of why he got the coat.
What do you think of that?
I think you should be a star-maker, actually I'd say that you already are a star maker.
Thank you.
I also saw you guys play a show this winter at The Edge 102.1. Could you tell me a bit about that?
Well I think there were about seven people there. We were playing because we won a contest and were selected as their indie artist of the month.
And you went to the Hard Rock Cafe afterwards is that correct?
That was the plan but we actually ended going somewhere else.
I'm sorry to hear that. I didn't stick around after the show because I was meeting people to go skating but during the show you guys kept talking about how you were going to go there. You sounded pretty excited.
I also saw during the show that some preteens came in.
There were some minors that's correct.
Right and I saw that they were just walking by but I'm guessing that they came in because they were enticed by this hot new band they saw playing at The Edge 102.1. Anyway, after the show I heard one of them say that it was the best thing she had heard since Twilight.
That's cool.
Do you feel that you're better than Twilight?
Well... yes. Yes I do.
So aside from the D'urbervilles, how many bands are you currently in?
I'm in Forest City Lovers, The Magic, Evenying Hymns and Tire.
That's a lot of bands – I haven't even heard of that last one.
It's new.
I see – who's in it?
It's myself, Kyle Donnely and a few guys who were in We're Marching On.
Donnelly – that's interesting... So why are you in so many bands?
That's a good question.
Are you trying to spread your eggs around to increase your chances of being in one that takes off?
Actually yes, that's exactly it.
I see... and which one do you think has the best chance?
Um... well, that's tough. I don't really want to say.
Could you please?
Okay well, I'd say... most likely... Forest City Lovers.
And why is that?
Well I think people like female voices and we have a female vocalist.
That's true. They're very soothing. Also I think you might be right about that one because I noticed that the most recent FCL video was Tweeted by Ashton Kutcher on the Twitter.
That's true. We're friends now.
You're friends with Ashton?!?
We are.
Whoah. You guys have pretty much already hit the big time then haven't you?
Pretty much.
So would you join any more bands if the opportunity came along or is five your limit?
I don't think so. If I was asked today to join another band and I liked what they were doing I'd probably say yes.
Wow, you know I think that's smart though because you're probably doing wonders for your odds.
Thank you.
Moving on then, would you say that you're some sort of an everyman?
What do you mean by that?
Well you seem to be able to fit so well into so many different bands, you seem to know a lot about sports, books, movies and so on... Compared to Kyle Donnely for example you seem to be much more in touch with the common man. You're not a vegan, beard growing weirdo and you seem to be able to simultaneously exist in a variety of worlds.
Hmm, well first of all I don't think the Kyle Donnely impression is fair.
You mean it's unfair to Kyle?
Yes, it's unfair to Kyle... when you put it that way though I guess I'd agree with you. I am sort of an everyman.
So how many cities are you currently spending time in?
Well in an average month I'm at home most of the time in Toronto but outside of that I'm sort of scattered around Ontario. I go to Oshawa every now and then to get back to my roots.
You see the reason I ask is because for about as long as I've known you it seems like you've always been spread out among three or four cities and four or five bands.
Well I do get around.
Are there actually two Tim Brutons?
No... there's a Tim Burton but he's not me.
Alright so let's cut to the chase. What I really wanted to ask you about today is a rumour I've heard around town.
Oh really?
Yes, so you're familiar with the song All Yr Songs by your friend and mine, John O'Regan AKA Diamond Rings, correct?
Yes that's correct.
And as you're no doubt aware it's been a big hit on youtube, last I checked it had 85 000 views – in other words it's the hottest thing since Twilight.
Your right, it is the hottest thing since Twilight.
Anyways so there's been a lot of talk about who this song is actually about and I've heard that it's about you.
I've heard that as well.
Interesting... shall we go through the song and discuss?
Sure.
So it starts off: I feel I need you to keep me going strong / You and I, history. Together for so long.
Does that sound like you so far?
I, uh... I guess.
And he also talks about getting through hardships together: If you ever wonder how I keep from going under... and so on. Would you say that you and John have undergone many trials and tribulations?
Yeah I mean when we were nine our hockey team had been undefeated throughout the whole year but then we lost in the playoffs... that was hard.
Do you think that's what he's talking about?
Probably.
The song also mentions putting sunscreen on in the summer together and how he wouldn't want you to get burned. I've noticed that you're both quite pale – have you guys ever put sunscreen on together?
Right, well it's tough to put sunscreen on your own back you know. Sometimes it's helpful to have a friend.
That's not really fair though because John has a much bigger back than you doesn't he?
He has a longer back but mine's wider so it sort of balances out actually.
I see, he also talks about how he's been mean and how you right his wrongs?
I don't know about that, maybe he just liked the sound of it.
Do you write all his songs?
No, not all of them, no.
But is it true that you write most of the D'Urbervilles songs? Is it possible that he feels like he's been leaching off of your talents?
Hmm, I suppose that's somewhat true.
Interesting. He also talks about how if you moved away that he would try to "grin and bear it." Was there ever a time when you were contemplating moving away somewhere and breaking up the band?
Actually yes, I keep trying to move to [note: I couldn't make out what Tim said in the recording so I sent him a message asking for clarification. He refused to provide it – what I jerk.] so, we'll see.
Okay and has he ever lent you his warmest sweater?
I can't say for sure. It's entirely plausible though.
You know it seems to me that this song speaks to the fact that you're someone who's always been quite spread out, someone who's always travelling and whose often distant from his friends and so on. Do you think that this is what he was getting at?
Hmm, maybe.
Do you think you spread yourself a little too thin at times?
Sometimes sure.
And have you ever thought of cutting all the bands loose and starting a solo project instead?
No, no I haven't.
There could be a big picture of you on the cover.
No I don't think so.
You could call it "Whole Lotta Tim."
Yeah no, I don't think that's a very good idea.
Think about it though.
No.
Okay then, I think things have pretty much run their course here. So what's the secret?
The secret has to do with sleeping as little as is possible and eating as much as is possible.
Is that the secret to being in a whole bunch of bands all at one or the secret to life?
Both.
Great, thanks a lot Tim.
Thanks Ben.
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