Timber, comprising Janet Simpson and Will Stewart might not ever have happened, if it wasn’t for the intervention of divine providence.
Working with his country soul band the Nashville-based Willie And The Giant, Stewart was in need of some extra elements, and Simpson’s name was suggested. She just so happened to be free on that day, and was able to drop by the studio to add some keyboards and vocals, before she left flew out on European tour with her band, Wooden Wand.
Later the following summer, Stewart e-mailed Simpson, and asked if she might like to write with him. The pair started swappign notes, pieces of songs, offering suggestions, and also finding a common musical voice.
The pieces became full blown songs as they shared their singular vision, and eventually they met up again at Ol Elegante Studio, in Birmingham, Alabama, and shared it with producer Lester Nuby. Calling on the pedal steel talents of Nashville musician Scott Murray, this was to become their debut self-titled EP, released in 2015.
Move forward three years, and Stewart and Simpson have further developed their style, leading to new eight track release, ‘The Family’. Recorded and mixed by Lynn Bridges, known for working with Devandra Banhart, and Future Elevators, it’s clear how much the pair have aligned themselves even further since their 2015 offering; their friendship transcends their music.
‘Colors’ is a moving track with a music video showing the gentle and loving relationship between a mother and her daughter; there’s a sense of a fly on the wall viewing. Small touches such as an eviction notice on the table, and a bleeding hand convey the idea that not all is well. Regardless however, they love each other, and so long as they have each other by the hand nothing can come in between them.
Find out more about Timber online on their Facebook and Twitter accounts, as well as their official website.
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