Tim K Explained

Tim K
Birth Name:Timothy John Kvasnosky
Birth Place:Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Instrument:keyboard
Genre:Electronic, house, hip hop, jazz, alternative dance, indietronica
Occupation:Producer, composer, musician, arranger, keyboardist
Years Active:2000–present
Associated Acts:Tiny Hearts, Honey Dijon, Mic Murphy, Dede, DJ Colette
Website:http://www.timkmusic.com

Timothy John Kvasnosky, known professionally as Tim K, is an American record producer, musician, and film score composer. Tim K composed the score (along with collaborator Jake Shears of the Scissor Sisters) to the 2015 Sundance Film Festival select I Am Michael, starring James Franco.[1] In 2016, he scored "King Cobra" starring Christian Slater and James Franco which documented the real life murder of porn producer Bryan Kocis.[2] As a producer and sideman has also worked with artists such as Sam Sparro, Ed Droste, Jake Shears, Rahzel, Lisa Shaw, Kat DeLuna, Dam Funk, Miguel Migs and DJ Colette. He is a member of the musical group Tiny Hearts.[3] As a remixer, he produced 4 top 5 Billboard Club Play remixes.[4] [5] He has also scored commercials for Nike, Target, Corona, Friskies, Volkswagen, Bulgari, Google, McDonald's, and many others.[6] [7] [8] His Friskies commercial composition "Adventureland" was featured during the 2010 Winter Olympics.[9] [10] [11]

Background

At the age of five, he began classical piano lessons. At the age of 11, he began playing jazz saxophone. By high school, he was playing as a jazz pianist sideman in Seattle, and was also the DJ in a local hiphop crew. He attended NYU jazz performance program with concentration in Piano, where he jammed in his dorm room with Bosco Mann. He studied with Frank Kimbrough, Arturo O'Farrill and Don Friedman. He has been a keyboard sideman with Sam Sparro, Lisa Shaw, Kat DeLuna, Rahzel, Orchestra Clave, Miguel Migs and DJ Colette.[12] [8]

Film

In 2018, Tim K scored JT Leroy starring Kristen Stewart and Laura Dern. The film is a biographical drama film that tells the story of Laura Albert, a woman who wrote and published a series of books under the pseudonym JT LeRoy, a young transgender man. The score featured an avant garde small ensemble woodwind score. [13]

In 2016, Tim K scored King Cobra, starring James Franco, Christian Slater and Molly Ringwald about the death of porn producer Bryan Kocis. It premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival.[14] The score was well received, the music praised as "effervescent electronic score" by Screen Daily.[2]

In 2015, he composed score to Buried Above Ground, a documentary by director Ben Selkow.[15]

In 2014, Tim K composed the score, with Jake Shears of the Scissor Sisters, to Justin Kelly directed, Gus Van Sant produced I Am Michael starring James Franco and Emma Roberts[16] The film was selected for domestic premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in 2015, and internationally at the Berlin International Film Festival.[17] [18]

Producer/songwriter

Tim K has produced records in variety of electronic music styles, often with jazz influences.[19]

In 2017, he produced Sam Sparro's "Christmas In Blue"[20] EP, which featured some classic carols in a vintage 1960s jazz style production.[21] The independently release EP reached No. 25 on the Billboard Jazz Chart.[22]

He produced and co-released Honey Dijon's debut album Best of Both Worlds, released on Defected Records UK.

He has been a longtime producer and songwriter for DJ Colette, for whom he produced three albums.[23] When writing, he often starts with a melodic keyboard part and builds drums, and vocal melodies around it.[24] Her "Italo-disco-owing" and "indelible electro" album When The Music's Loud, featuring all compositions co-written and many produced by Tim K, was released in September 2013.[25] [26] The album was named by Vice as one of the 99 Greatest Dance Albums of all time.[27] The album was also named as one of Billboard 's Top 20 Dance albums of 2013.[28]

In December 2013, he produced and co-wrote debut single "War Of Hearts" for artist Russell Taylor, helping him win VH1 Artist You Oughta Know award, which he performed live December 2, 2013 on Big Morning Buzz Live.[29]

A longtime vintage recording technique aficionado, using vintage microphones, techniques, tape and James Brown's old mixer, he recorded Shoshana Bean's second album O'Farrell Street in 2012 at North Hollywood.[30] With JT Donaldson, in 2012 Tim K also produced underground hip hop group Hawthorne Headhunter's "Sum People Don't Change" from their debut LP Myriad of Now on Plug Research.[31] Tim K lent a hand to The System's 2012 release for beatmaker David Frank's production "Mother Ungh Ungh", providing some "stutter" style edit of Mic Murphy's vocals.[32]

In 2011, with Fab Dupont Tim K co-produced, played vintage keyboards and added additional production to many of the tracks on Les Nubians' Nu Revolution album.[33]

In 2010, Tim K co-produced Dâm-Funk's Hood Pass Intact's "highlight" track "How It Be Between You and Me" on Stones Throw Records. The album received a favorable Pitchfork rating.[34] Later in the year, a track he produced, "Stressin'" featuring Kissey was selected for Mark Farina's Mushroom Jazz compilation, volume 7.[35] Also in 2010, Tim K produced the lead single "Slow Recovery" for Lucy Woodward's Hooked album for Verve Records.[36]

Home & Garden

Tim K worked with DJ/Producer Timothy Shumaker under the moniker Home & Garden starting in 2000. They released 12" singles and remixes for labels such as Atlantic Records, Reprise Records and Warner Bros. Records.[37] Their debut full-length record Domesticated was released on Om Records in 2007. It featured appearances from Derrick Carter, Lisa Shaw, DJ Colette, Lucy Woodward, Chez Damier and Mic Murphy.[38] [37]

Tiny Hearts

Tim K is currently working a collaborative project, Tiny Hearts with producer Waajeed and vocalist Dede Reynolds.[39] Their debut EP Stay will be released on Detroit's Dirt Tech Reck label.[40] Their initial video "Centerfold" was released in September 2013.[41] A live performance of Tiny Hearts was featured on Boilerroom.tv.[42] His composition for the group, "Snow Cold", was featured on NPR's Here and Now late in 2013.[43]

Commercial and other work

Friskies tapped Tim K to compose music for its "Adventureland" Campaign, featured in the Winter Olympics, as well as in 3D at movie theatre venues across the US.[9] [44] [45] The 9 commercial campaign featured singer Deanne Reynolds of Tiny Hearts. The commercial was listed as Advertising Age's Ad of the week.[46] In 2013, Tim K composed the music for Nike's KDV shoe release.[47]

Selected discography and chart performance

YearArtistAlbum/Song(s)Details
2022Honey DijonStandCo-writing, Engineering, Vocal Arrangement
2020Sam SparroEverythingCo-writing
Jake ShearsMeltdownRemix
Maluca MalaTrakalosaMixer
2019MorrisseyMorning StarshipAdditional Engineering, Vocal Arranging
Honey Dijon and Tim K featuring Nomi RuizWhy on Cafe Del Mar Vol XXVProducer, Engineer, Mixer, Keyboards
SemmaRibbons and BowsKeyboards, Co Writing
2018Duke DumontInhaleKeyboards
Kelela & Girl UnitWYWDCo-writing, Keyboards
2017Honey Dijon featuring Nomi Ruiz, Joi Cardwell, Sam SparroBest Of Both WorldsProducer, Engineer, Mixer, Keyboards
DEDE & Ed Droste of Grizzly BearFaultlineCo-Producer, Engineer, Mixer, Co-writer
Kingdom featuring Syd of The InternetNothinAdditional Production, Keyboards, Co-writer
Sam SparroChristmas In BlueProducer, Engineer, Mixer, Piano
Gavin TurekGood Look For YouProducer, Engineer, Multi-instrumentalist
Dawn RichardInfrared EPCo-writing, Keyboards, Mixing
2016Complex Movements with Invincible (rapper) and WaajeedApple OrchardsMixing, Add'l Arrangement, Orchestration, Keys
2013Shoshana BeanO'Farrell StreetProducer, Engineer
DJ ColetteWhen The Music's LoudProducer, Engineer, Musician, Co-Writer
Tiny HeartsStay EpCo-Producer, Engineer, Musician, Co-Writer
Russell TaylorWar Of HeartsProducer, Engineer, Musician, Co-Writer
2012Radical SomethingCutty SpotWriting, Add'l Keys
2011The SystemMother Ungh UnghAdditional Production
Les NubiansAfro DanceProducer, Keyboards
AnuheaBig DealSongwriter
2010Lucy WoodwardSlow RecoveryProducer, Arranger, Keyboards
Kirk Whalum featuring Isaac HayesI Loved You In MemphisRemixer
Dam FunkHow Will It Be Between U & MeCo-Producer, Mixer, Instrumentalist
KisseyStressin Mushroom Jazz Vol 7Producer, Mixer, Instrumentalist, Co-Writer
2009
Lisa ShawCan You See HimProducer, Arranger, Keyboards
2008Home & Garden featuring Derrick CarterDomesticatedProducer, Keyboards, Co-writing
Home & Garden featuring Chez DamierIn & OutProducer, Keyboards, Co-writing
2007Fred Everything featuring Lisa ShawHere I AmString Arrangement
2007JanitaSeasons Of LifeRemixer, Keyboards
2004EstheroOG BitchRemixer
Debi NovaOne RhythmRemixer
|Greenskeepers|Go|Remixer|}
Year! scope="col"
TitlePeak PositionBillboard
Hot Dance Club Songs[48]
Credit
2003 Lucy Woodward "Blindsided (Dance Mixes)" 1Remixer
2004 Esthero "O.G. Bitch (H&G Remix)" 1 Remixer
2004 Debi Nova "One Rhythm (H&G Remix)" 1 Remixer
2007 DJ Colette "If" 5 Composer

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Sundance Film Review: 'I Am Michael'. Peter. Debruge. January 25, 2015. August 27, 2020.
  2. Web site: 'King Cobra': Tribeca Review. Graham. Fuller2016-04-18T08:55:00+01:00. Screendaily.ocm. August 27, 2020.
  3. Web site: Stream Tiny Hearts' "Stay" EP | Pigeons & Planes . February 10, 2014 . February 21, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140221234811/http://pigeonsandplanes.com/2013/09/stream-tiny-hearts-stay-ep/ . dead .
  4. Web site: Tim K. Discogs.com. August 27, 2020.
  5. Web site: Dance Club Songs Chart. Billboard.com. August 27, 2020.
  6. Web site: TRUST: Sound Lounge Composer Tim K Releases LP on Venerable Electronic Label OM Records . September 13, 2013 . October 4, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131004225245/http://trustcollective.com/portfolio/content/slmsd_domesticated.htm . dead .
  7. Web site: Ritchie . Kevin . Feline fantasia for Friskies – Boards . Boardsmag.com . April 1, 2010 . 2010-06-24 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110909215652/http://www.boardsmag.com/articles/magazine/20100401/friskies.html . September 9, 2011 . mdy-all .
  8. Web site: Tim Kvasnosky. Timkmusic.com. August 27, 2020.
  9. News: The Mind of a Cat Could Be 'Feline Groovy'. Stuart. Elliott. The New York Times . March 15, 2010. August 27, 2020. NYTimes.com.
  10. Web site: Friskies Cat has Delicious Acid Trip in Olympics Commercial. Whitney. Jefferson. Gawker.com. February 18, 2010 . August 27, 2020.
  11. Web site: Grizzly Bear's Ed Droste, Kingdom Join DEDE for New Song "Faultline": Listen. Michelle. Kim. Pitchfork.com. April 27, 2017 . August 27, 2020.
  12. Web site: Tim Kvasnosky | Haus . September 13, 2013 . August 24, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130824163937/http://thehaus.tv/producers/tim_kvasnosky_composer_producer . dead .
  13. Web site: Tim Kvasnosky Scoring Justin Kelly's 'JT Leroy' | Film Music Reporter .
  14. Web site: 'King Cobra': Tribeca Review. Graham. Fuller. Screendaily.com. August 27, 2020.
  15. Web site: Buried Above Ground. October 2, 2015. August 27, 2020. IMDb.com.
  16. Web site: I Am Michael (2015) - IMDb. August 27, 2020. IMDdb.com.
  17. Web site: Berlin: Panorama Lineup Includes James Franco's 'I Am Michael,' Hal Hartley's 'Ned Rifle' | Hollywood Reporter. Hollywoodreporter.com. December 16, 2014 . August 27, 2020.
  18. Web site: Sundance Premieres: James Franco returns to Park City. Ew.com. August 27, 2020.
  19. Web site: Tim Kvasnosky | Credits. AllMusic. August 27, 2020.
  20. Web site: Honey Dijon : The Best of Both Worlds. Pitchfork.com. August 27, 2020.
  21. Web site: Sam Sparro Prefers His Christmas 'Blue' With New EP, Teases Forthcoming Full-Length Album. November 21, 2017. Billboard.com. August 27, 2020.
  22. Web site: Jazz Albums Chart. Billboard.com. August 27, 2020.
  23. Web site: Colette Switches Sound on 'When The Music's Loud' Album. August 26, 2013. Billboard.com. August 27, 2020.
  24. Web site: Colette and Tim K Studio Tour. News.traxsource.com. August 27, 2020.
  25. Web site: Colette Weds Hard House to Italo-Disco on 'When the Music's Loud' LP. August 20, 2013. Spin.com. August 27, 2020.
  26. Web site: Colette: "When the Music's Loud" | Tracks | Pitchfork . . February 19, 2020 . October 6, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151006211351/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/15745-when-the-musics-loud/ . dead .
  27. Web site: The 99 Greatest Dance Albums of All Time | Thump . August 17, 2015 . August 19, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150819074606/http://thump.vice.com/en_us/article/the-99-greatest-dance-albums-of-all-time . dead .
  28. Web site: 20 Best Dance Music Albums of 2013: CODE Picks. December 20, 2013. Billboard.com. August 27, 2020.
  29. Web site: "War of Hearts (Big Morning Buzz Live)" by Russell Taylor | Show Performance | VH1.com . December 4, 2013 . December 6, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131206091355/http://www.vh1.com/video/misc/982068/war-of-hearts-big-morning-buzz-live.jhtml . dead .
  30. Web site: On Her Sophomore Album O'Farrell Street, … – Hummingbird Media . September 15, 2013 . June 18, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130618011031/http://hummingbirdmedia.com/clients/neumann/press-releases/on-her-sophomore-album-o-farrell-street-shoshana-bean-looks-to-neumann-to-harken-the-authentic-sound-of-late-60s-soul-recordings . dead .
  31. Web site: Myriad of Now - Hawthorne Headhunters | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic. August 27, 2020. AllMusic.
  32. Web site: The System-Mother Ungh Ungh – process, chord, sound evolution . Davidfrankmusic.com. August 27, 2020.
  33. Web site: Nü Revolution - Les Nubians | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic. August 27, 2020. AllMusic.
  34. Web site: Dâm-Funk: Hood Pass Intact EP. Pitchfork.com. August 27, 2020.
  35. Web site: Mushroom Jazz, Vol. 7 - Mark Farina | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic. August 27, 2020. AllMusic.
  36. Web site: Lucy Woodward, "Slow Recovery". August 5, 2008. Billboard.com. August 27, 2020.
  37. Web site: Home & Garden. Discogs.com. August 27, 2020.
  38. Web site: OM Records - Domesticated - Electronic music, dance music and hip hop, music reviews, news, interviews, blogs, art, design, fashion and events . September 13, 2013 . June 7, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140607002715/http://www.om-records.com/releases/695-domesticated . dead .
  39. Web site: Detroit Lion . Wax Poetics Inc. . June 24, 2013 . 2013-06-24.
  40. Web site: Tiny Hearts. SoundCloud.com. August 27, 2020.
  41. Web site: Video Premiere: Tiny Hearts - "Centerfold" (dir. Aron Kantor). August 27, 2013. Okayplayer.com. August 27, 2020.
  42. Web site: Boiler Room LA x HVW8 w/ Tiny Hearts (Waajeed, Dede, Tim K) & Lady Monix - BOILER ROOM . 2013-09-13 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130913001342/http://boilerroom.tv/boiler-room-la-x-hvw8-w-tiny-hearts-waajeed-dede-tim-k-lady-monix/ . September 13, 2013 . mdy-all .
  43. Web site: DJ Sessions: Female Artists Making Waves. Wbur.org. November 12, 2013 . August 27, 2020.
  44. Web site: Feline fantasia for Friskies - Boards . 2010-06-24 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110909215652/http://www.boardsmag.com/articles/magazine/20100401/friskies.html . September 9, 2011 . mdy-all .
  45. Web site: If the new Friskies cat food commercial is to be believed, your cat is on LSD - Michael Roston - Newsbroke - True/Slant . September 13, 2013 . May 8, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130508145529/http://trueslant.com/level/2010/02/23/if-the-new-friskies-cat-food-commercial-is-to-be-believed-your-cat-is-on-lsd/ . dead .
  46. Web site: Friskies "Adventureland" | Adweek . September 13, 2013 . March 4, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304064359/http://www.adweek.com/video/friskies-adventureland-120844 . dead .
  47. Web site: Nike Basketball Presents the KDV. Complex.com. August 27, 2020.
  48. Web site: Hot Club Play Chart. Billboard.com.