1.Your Profile

Hi, I’m Tim and I’m your typical ‘son of a preacher man’. Some say that my new album Dead Man’s Garden is a blend of blues, country, folk and rock. It’s mostly acoustic, with layers of Dobro slide guitar, sweet harmonies, piano, strings, bass and drums. I’m into travelling, playing pool, listening to music, swimming, long walks on the beach, cooking and writing songs. In a fan I’m looking for those people who love to sit and listen to a record with the lyric book in their hands, feet up on the couch and really allow themselves to be transported somewhere.

2.Keeping Busy

In the last few months I’ve been preparing for the tour, rehearsing heaps with Nina [Grant, piano/guitar/percussion] and doing a few really special shows like the album launch in Geelong. We head off on the Dead Man’s Garden Tour from July 22 and will be heading up the east coast of Australia to Brisbane and then back to Melbourne doing about 15 live shows and heaps of radio interviews and live-to-air performances. Then it’s festivals in October and off to Japan in late October/early November for a few dates over there.

3.Best Gig Ever

The best gig I’ve ever played was probably a solo one I did at Unwined Cellar Bar in Geelong this year. It’s a tiny little venue, which can only hold about 55 people, but the crowd there just got so into my songs that they were dancing almost the whole night and they filled the place with this electric and awesome vibe. I fed off that and played like a demon. The worst-ever gig was when I was in a band and had developed RSI in my left wrist and suddenly couldn’t play the guitar anymore… except we had already started the gig. In pain I persevered, but it made the whole band sound shit. I cried after that gig.

4.Current Playlist

At the moment I’m enjoying listening to Dislocation Blues by Chris Whitley and Jeff Lang, Rodriguez, Jeff Buckley’s Grace album, Daniel Champagne, Love Over Gold and Luluc.

5.Your Ultimate Rider

One bottle of Drambuie, one bottle of Wild Turkey, six bottles of Asahi beer, a masseur, a sandpit with a digger and a dump truck and a proper paella. Usually I only get a meal and a couple of beers.

Dead Man’s Garden out now through Only Blues Music. Catch Tim HulsmannatArtichoke Cafe, Manly onSaturday July 26,Frankie’s Pizza, Sydney on Wednesday July 30and The Commons, Newcastle onFriday August 1.

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