T-Bird and the Breaks Interview: SXSW 2010

Posted on Feb 28th 2010 10:15AM by Rob Needham
Comments

Local Austin band T-Bird and the Breaks is a classic boot-strap story of one man's ambition to create a fresh sound and assemble a talented crew around it. Front-man vocalist Tim Crane [nicknamed T-Bird by his friends], originally from Massachussetts, created the T-Bird sound, a modern R&B, funk, and soul, citing influences from numerous and disparate musical influences. After a cross-country train tour to find the perfect spot, Crane fell in love with Austin's music scene and spent the next year recruiting musicians that would eventually make up the 10-member group. With the release of their successful 2009 album 'Learn About It,' numerous singles, and already two SXSW appearances under their belt, T-Bird and the Breaks have shown that hard work pays off. Spinner was able to speak to T-Bird himself about where they came from and where they're going.

Describe your sound in your own words.

I would say 21st-Century rhythm and blues with influences of funk, hip hop, and Benzedrine [laughs].

How and when did your band form?

The band formed when I moved to Austin about 3 years ago with the purpose of putting a band together. I went looking for musicians to play my kind of music. I came from Massachusetts and took a train around the country trying to find a spot to live where people would appreciate the kind of music I made. Turned out, Austin was perfect. First thing I did was to start hitting Craigslist, scoping performances at the clubs, watching for musicians. In all, it took a year to get the band together. It's been somewhat a revolving cast of characters, but we have built a pretty solid core.

What are your musical influences?

James Brown, Tom Waits, Bob Dylan, Curtis Mayfield, Stan Cook, Johnny Hooker, the Wu-Tang Clan, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Beck, John Cage, Moon Dog, Run-DMC, Elmore James, Velvet Underground, Beatles, Stones, Little Richard, Fats Domino, Professor Longhair, Eddie Bo, Charles Wright, Rhythm Section, Miles Davis, Dewey Redman, Billie Holliday, Joni Mitchell, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and a whole slew if others. I'm a true student of music and follow the whole universe of it to see what turns me on.

How did you come up with your band name?

T-Bird is just one of my nicknames. Sammy came up with 'The Breaks,' which could mean a lot of things -- a break in a song, a tough break, break in the road, whatever you need it to mean.

I count 10 members of your band. Is that correct? Does every member make a significant creative contribution [versus performing what's handed to them] to every song?

Yeah, mostly around 10 members, and some of the newer stuff we're putting down in the studio has even more extras on rotation, and we've got people acting as multi-instrumentalists. As far as contributing,: I would say the door is always open for any of the group to take something and making it their own. I'm all ears, and I like everyone's input and watching it grow in that way. Still, most of the time I write the songs. I have a feel for all the layers and can work the whole thing out. I play guitar, bass, piano, and so I have a good idea of what the whole song needs to sound like. I think they would agree that I write for the most part.

What's your biggest vice?

Work. I work really hard. Too hard. I've always been that way. Can't be idle. Even now, I'm working on picking up some vocal training and taking piano lessons.

What's in your festival survival kit?

At least 2 pairs of Stacy Adams shoes [laughs]. A bunch of 9-volt batteries for the wireless mic. Maybe a Red Bull.

How many total SXSW appearances have you made already?

Two so far, this will be our third. First year, we just played some shows, and last year we did the KUT/NPR Showcase, which was great to be broadcast nationwide.

Looks like this will be your second trip to SXSW since the release of your album 'Learn About It.' Will we be getting a live preview of any material from your next album?

Yeah man, you're going to hear a lot of new stuff. Meanwhile, we are putting out about two songs every month that you can get from our website. You can expect a new album coming out in maybe late spring.

What's your musical guilty pleasure? What's hiding on your iPod?

I like Guns N' Roses a lot. Not sure if people find that a guilty pleasure, because they rock.

Beatles or Stones?

I won't pick one. I just won't. That's like asking me to pick bacon or eggs. Why would you ever have to pick? We can have both, so we shouldn't fight about it. [laughs]
What's the craziest thing you've seen or experienced while on tour?

Honestly, we are the craziest thing happening when we tour, and we're working to try to be more professional and remember that we have another show to do the next day. I'm learning that I can't get so wild that I don't have a voice for the next show. Otherwise not much really. Luckily we haven't had an accident or any gear stolen.

Rob Needham is a contributor from Seed.com. Learn how you can contribute here.