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Some people seem to think that Timothy Bracken stands out among the new generation of songwriters on the rise. Not just because he is a songwriter, but because he knows how a good pop song can change the way your brain functions. He became fascinated with the recording process after hearing Todd Rundgren and Beatles records and immediately began writing songs, at the age of fourteen, amassing a catalog of over 100 songs before he turned 20. Li'l Tim-Tim (as his friends call him) believes that the listener should be engaged on all levels, not just a catchy chorus, a snappy beat, or a fake kind-of-southern (Creed??) accent (Tim much prefers the fake British accent, like Robert Pollard uses). Anyway, these beliefs (and preferences) shine through in his music. Because he is fluent on the drums, guitar, bass, and keys (kind of), Timothy is able to realize his own vision throughout his work. He is very familiar with the importance of restraint, delivering songs that are concise and at times alternately heart-wrenching and humorous.

 

Timothy's first release, Disrepair, was nominated for 4 WAMMIES (Washington Area Music Association award) in 2005, including Best New Artist and Best Roots Rock Album. The album features sparse acoustic ballads, quirky folk, intelligent pop, one long lighter-waving guitar solo, and even some good old-fashioned noise. The album was produced totally independently by Tim; he recorded and played all the instruments himself. Rob LeBourdais helped out with some of the mastering (Toadfish Records 2004).

 

Timothy is featured on the new compilation, A Case For Case (Hungry For Music 2006), a tribute to the music of Peter Case. Timothy contributed two tracks: "Every Day Things" and "Turnin Blue." The project also features the likes of Richard Buckner (Timothy mixed Buckner's track, "Poor Old Tom"), Todd Snider, John Prine, Victoria Williams, and many other acclaimed songwriters.

 

Timothy has played in many bands, including drums, bass, and guitar for June Star and Mark McKay. Tim currently plays live shows with a band and solo. He is currently playing drums for a band called Trifecta as well. Tim has performed solo and with these bands at a ton of music venues including IOTA, Jammin Java, The State Theater (all in Northern VA), CBGB's, Mercury Lounge, Lakeside Lounge (NYC), Fletchers (Baltimore), and Maxwells in Hoboken, NJ, where he was also interviewed about his solo projects at the NJ/NYC radio station WFMU. He has also been included in several festivals such as Clarendon Day in Arlington, VA and Art on the Avenue in Alexandria, VA.

 

Several important dudes and dudettes working for important publications have taken notice of Timothy, singing praise in various forms including: The Washington Post, Paste Magazine, Washingtonian, and On Tap.

 

Timothy's music is played here and there on XM Satellite Radio, where the Unsigned Channel featured Timothy on a show called The Radar Report.

 

In addition to all of these things, Timothy is getting into producing. He is currently working on a project for Andrew Grimm (June Star), titled Northern Meridian.