Having spent the last few years establishing themselves as one of the United States' most prolific and captivating outfits, Virginia-based outfit Annabelle's Curse recently added the finishing touches to their latest studio album 'Vast Oceans' and have recently shared the latest cut from it, 'Bailout'.
Combining a unique blend of indie-rock and folk-pop, their latest offering looks to be one of the record's most heartfelt new additions. With nods to the sound of The Shins and The National, this soft and sweeping delight starts off simple enough before cranking up the pace halfway through and finishing up with a cacophony of galloping drums and soaring keys.
So with the band's new album expected very shortly, we sat down with the group's Tim Kilbourne to find out more about his earliest beginnings and what started this journey for him.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
The first instrument I ever fell in love with was the piano. I was forced to take lessons as a kid and for most of my childhood, I hated it because I felt as though I was playing music for a teacher and the music didn’t mean anything to me. I fell in love with playing a few years after I quit taking lessons. It was when I started making my own songs that I truly fell in love with it.
What has been the most prominent inspiration behind your music so far?
I’m inspired by the sheer prospect of connecting with other people through music. I’m not the most social person, a bit anti-social at times, and I find writing and singing to be the easiest form of self-expression. I value the connections I make with people who listen to my music.
What kind of music did you love as a teenager?
I was into some emo music for a while but somehow that transitioned as soon as I first heard Iron and Wine. From there, I listened to a ton of folk music. I have also always been a huge fan of classic rock especially bands like CCR and the Grateful Dead.
Can you remember the first song that made you want to pursue a life in music?
As soon as heard, Naked As We Came, by Iron and Wine, I immediately wanted to buy a guitar and learn how to play and write.
When you wake up in the morning, what kind of music do you like to listen to?
I’m not going to lie. I don’t listen to much music in the morning. When I first wake up, I value the quiet and on the way to work, I will tune into NPR cause I like to stay informed. If I had to pick anything to listen to in the mornings it would be Jose Gonzalez though.
How many of your songs have you written about people in your life?
I have written a lot of songs about people in my own life. On the new album, Layla’s song is written in the memory of my pitboxer (not a person but whatever) who passed away last summer. I wrote the song “Cornerstone” as my wedding vows that I sang to my wife at our wedding in 2015.
I’ve written other loves songs with my wife at heart but before she came around I wrote about women from failed relationships, like this song, REGRET, VA:
What has been the most memorable moment in your career so far?
My favourite aspect of music is recording. I love being in a studio and recording the songs that I have written. It leaves me feeling fulfilled and content. Also, playing several larger festivals has probably been my favourite moment from my music career so far. I love being in the presence of thousands of people who are intently listening to my music and lyrics.
Outside of music, what is your biggest passion?
I am actually a middle school teacher by day, and I love having the opportunity to directly influence and help students grow. I teach technology education to kids and I love sharing with them Coding and Programming as well as my knowledge of physics and engineering. I’m also a huge disc golf nerd and I find myself playing almost everyday.
If you weren’t a musician, what other path do you think you might have taken?
Being an indie artist, I’ve always had to have a side hustle. Teaching is that other path I have taken. It’s sometimes difficult to balance the two as I would work all week and then leave immediately after school to play shows. Hopefully someday, music will be sustainable and lucrative enough to be a sole career pursuit.
And what advice would you give to other musicians looking to stay productive through the coronavirus lockdown?
Music will never leave you isolated or alone. Its sole power is to free us from circumstance and help us wrestle with our own emotions. Playing music is my therapeutic treatment for the Covid-19 lockdown.
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Annabelle's Curse will release their fifth studio album 'Vast Oceans' on the 22nd May, and their latest single 'Bailout' is available to stream and download now. Have a listen to it in the player below.