Tim Wheatley - Australian Tour 2015

Melbourne indie alt folk troubadour, Tim Wheatley has today announced the release of his new single, Valerie (out August 6) and debut solo album, Cast of Yesterday, set for release on August 28. Wheatley will be celebrating with a string of dates kick starting at The Midnight Special in Newtown on August 13, moving through to The Vanguard (Syd) August 14, Central Park (Syd) August 16, The Lansdowne Hotel (Syd) August 16, Café Del Mar (Syd) August 20, Illawarra Brewery (Wollongong) August 21, Howlin’ Wolf (Wollongong) August 22, The Soda Factory (Syd) August 23, Gympie Music Muster (Gympie) August 27 & 28, The Triffid (Bris) August 29, The Grace Darling (Melb) for the official album launch on August 30, Café Del Mar (Syd) September 2 and finishing up at The Metro (Syd) on September 4.

Inspired to write lead single Valerie after reading the novel Delinquent Angel about Melbourne Poet, Shelton Lea, Wheatley explains, “It began with an insight into the fractured relationship between Shelton and his adopted mother Valerie - the matriarch of the Darryl Lea chocolate family.” Tasteful use of acoustic and slide guitar sets an overwhelming feeling of nostalgia, but it is Wheatley’s understated lyrics and smooth Australian-tinged vocals that so beautifully tell this sad tale.

The video clip for Valerie was filmed and produced in Hollywood by Tahyna Tozzi-MacManus and Rachel Taylor of Go Forth Content (a collective of emerging Australian directors and producers living and working in LA) and stars Jessica McNamee (Packed To The Rafters, Sirens, The Vow). “The story of Valerie takes place in 1960s Melbourne, but was actually filmed in a studio in Los Angeles, so I sought the help of a few Aussie friends over here in LA who were able to help get the story across in a beautifully shot clip that was brought to fruition by Tahyna in a tiny Hollywood casting studio,” says Wheatley. “We all agreed that our good friend Jessica would be perfect for the role of Valerie and placed a fair bit of pressure on her to deliver the story, which I think she did beautifully. We wanted something clean and simple, but with a sense of nostalgia.”

Cast of Yesterday was recorded at Sing Sing studios in Melbourne, produced by Paul McKercher (You Am I, Sarah Blasko, Pete Murray) and mixed by Niko Bolas (Neil Young, Johnny Cash) at Capitol Studios in Hollywood. Poetically titled, Cast of Yesterday, the album was written about a range of people from Wheatley’s past - friends, heroes and villains and is a dynamic collection of songs that is sure to surprise and delight. With an alt-folk, indie Australiana and at times country feel, Cast Of Yesterday is packed with memorable melodies and a signature smooth vocal, all the while showcasing Wheatley’s impressive songwriting ability. “I’ve been carrying this album around with me in pieces for so long now, that to hear the mastered version was a huge weight off my shoulders. It’s also the excitement of coming home and touring that comes along with the release that I can’t wait for,” beams Wheatley.

Tickets to the national tour are on sale now.