A Georgia boy who grew up in Loganville, near Decatur, Brantley played piano as a child, but didn’t take music seriously until he was in his early 20’s. He explains, “I started writing songs in my head, and it took my interest in music to another level. I had to pick the piano back up so I could cut music to the ideas I heard in my head. Then I started playing guitar to broaden my horizons even more.” Almost immediately, he formed a three-piece band and began playing local coffee shops and bars, going through what he calls, “the typical post-high school lifestyle.” “I wasn’t interested in anything I was doing other than music, and I loved the wide-openness of my life.”
Recording on his laptop and playing the songs he was writing for his friends, Tim saw their genuinely excited reaction. “Two friends heard the songs, and even though we were all broke, they approached me and we pooled our money to buy a microphone and a recording console.” Now recording in earnest, Tim was gathering skill as a songwriter, taking his influences, like David Gray, Elton John, Hall & Oates, Wilco and Fleetwood Mac, and using them to shape his own style. “I grew up with a lot of 70’s rock,” Tim explains, “My mom used to play Carole King all the time. I naturally gravitate to that kind of sound; there’s a warmth and timelessness to it that I’ve always loved.”
As his name grew in and around the Atlanta area, the pieces began to fall into place for Tim. Entering a citywide battle of the bands in Atlanta, Tim and his band won, which earned them some much needed cash and the notoriety to begin playing bigger shows for an ever-increasing local audience. Recording continuously, Tim hooked up with local producer Russ T. Cobb (Avril Lavigne, Hot Hot Heat, MxPx) and the two recorded an album at Butch Walker’s studio in Atlanta. The songs sparked major interest from several labels and in the end, he chose to sign with Ben Goldman’s (Ben Folds Five, Fuel, Chevelle) newly formed, independent Blackledge Records label. “Working with Ben and Blackledge has given me the freedom to be myself and to make the music exactly the way I want to make it,” he declares.
That freedom allowed Tim to self-produce Goldtop Heights, as well the space to experiment while making it. He reflects, “There was a lot of trial and error that went into the album. The songwriting is far more detailed, and that was reflected in how I recorded. We recorded twenty-five songs, and I picked ten. I spent months on certain songs, refining them until I thought they were just right.” With Tim on piano, guitar and various percussion, Brent Kinney on guitar, Robbey Handly on bass and Guy Strauss on drums, the sound they got is a commanding and infectious one, modern in feel, while also hearkening back to the 70’s pop/rock that is embedded in his musical DNA. But as Tim says, “It’s a little grittier than I thought it was going to be in the beginning.”
From the opening notes of “Damage,” the album’s first single, one hears that combination of melodic irresistibility and lyrical incisiveness that are becoming Brantley’s hallmarks. “The song is about a friend of mine – more like a letter to a friend in need,” Tim notes, “But the vibe of it – ‘Joe Jackson meets The Greatest American Hero’ wraps up for me the way it felt standing around a radio when I was growing up.”
Indeed, that feeling of being a kid again is one that’s prevalent on Goldtop Heights. Tim explains, “’Goldtop Heights’ and ‘Northside’ are the album’s bookends and I based everything on the tone of those two songs. Part of it is nostalgic. It’s me seeing things through a kid’s eyes – in that way that everything is big and heightened when you’re a child.” It’s that sense of wonder that sweeps through the album, and with the resounding piano chords, shimmering guitars and the steady, yet propulsive rhythm section, it’s 40 minutes of modern pop rock nirvana, made wondrously alive and new again. Tim doesn’t just sing the songs – he inhabits them and lives them out, making his tales of growing up three dimensional in the most powerful of ways.
Tim is currently on the road, honing his live show playing both acoustic and with a band. “It’s gaining momentum,” Tim says. “With the band, we’re getting exciting – there’s a lot of off the cuff stuff that’s happening on stage. Being on the road all the time is something I’ve always wanted.” And on Goldtop Heights, Tim Brantley is playing his songs precisely the way he’s always wanted, creating a fully realized album that is the culmination of where he’s been and where he’s going, and one that is sure to win him the notoriety that is demanded by the depth and quality of his songs.
Damage
Tim Brantley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the opening lines of the song, Tim Brantley gives us a glimpse of his life story when he tells us that he was born in California and later moved to Georgia. He paints the picture of living in a small town, where he met a girl from high school on the weekend and fell in love with her before he even knew the meaning of it. He talks about the ups and downs in their relationship, and how they experimented with taking time apart to “find themselves”. He admits that he is hurting and desperately wants to keep her, but each time they patch things up, it only gets weaker.
As the song progresses, Brantley acknowledges that their relationship has taken a toll on him and he is falling apart. He tells himself to just walk away because the damage is already done. He warns himself that there’s no use in worrying or pacing, and not to be confused with things he cannot control. He recognizes that there are deeper issues at play beyond just their fights and differences. He concludes the song by saying that he now knows for certain that things are not working and it’s time for a change.
In summary, “Damage” is a song that explores the complexities of a rocky relationship. It’s about recognizing when it’s time to let go and move on before the damage becomes irreversible. It’s a song that strikes an emotional chord with anyone who has been in a similar situation and can relate to the pain of heartbreak and self-reflection.
Interesting Facts:
Line by Line Meaning
Born in 84 in California bounced around and ended up in Georgia
The singer was born in California in 1984 and moved to different places before finally settling in Georgia.
inside the lines of an everybodys somebody town
The singer lives in a small town where everyone seems to be important or popular.
met a girl from high school on the weekend
The singer met a girl he went to high school with on a weekend.
fell in love before you knew the meaning
The artist fell in love with the girl quickly, without understanding the full depth of his emotions.
the last three years its been ups and downs
The artist's relationship with the girl has had its challenges and difficulties over the past three years.
time apart was experimentation just find yourself is what they all keep saying
The couple took some time apart to figure themselves out, as advised by their friends and family.
but you cant find anything or anyone
The singer is struggling to find direction and purpose in his life, and is unable to find someone else to fill the void left by the girl.
man youre hurt and you really want to keep her
The artist is deeply hurt by the situation and wants to salvage the relationship.
you patch it up but each time it gets weaker
Although the artist tries to fix the relationship, each attempt makes it less stable and more fragile.
with all these chances now youre down to none
The artist has exhausted all opportunities to save the relationship and is now left with none.
the damage is 5 the damage is 4 the damage is 3 the damage is 2 the damage is 1 the damage is done the damage is done
The relationship is beyond repair and there is no use trying to fix it anymore.
man youre coming apart youre coming unglued
The situation is taking a toll on the artist's emotional and mental state, and he is starting to fall apart.
so just walk away whats through is through the damage is done the damage is done
The best course of action is to accept that the relationship is over and move on from it.
theres no use in worrying or pacing wondering if shes out or where shes staying
It's not worth obsessing over the girl and what she is doing or where she is going.
dont be confused with things you cant control
It's important to not get caught up in things that are outside of your control.
oh its more than fights and the differences between you
The issues in the relationship go deeper than just arguments and disagreements between the couple.
its the sleepless nights and the things she never told you
The artist is tormented by the memories of sleepless nights and the feeling of being kept in the dark about certain things by the girl.
its a time for change so turn youre back and run
It's time for the singer to make a change and move on from the relationship.
pretty soon you wont believe all these things that you believe
As time passes and the singer moves on, he will start to see things differently and realize that some of his beliefs were misguided.
theres a reason why right now its not working
The reason why the relationship is failing right now will become clear in due time.
she tied youre tongue up once again and tied youre arms to leave you friend
The girl has a hold on the artist and is making it difficult for him to let go and move on.
but theres one thing I know now thats for certain
Despite all the uncertainty, the artist is certain that he needs to let go of the past and move on towards a better future.
Contributed by Mason H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ben Snyder
he is so good. Just saw him live last night...amazing
skntbac01
freaking amazing.
omghaley
<333 i love him!
Nada Alotaibi
Is there an official video for this?
MAHDLO1956
When will Tim have new music released? anyone have an idea?
Greg Clark
Probably sometime this year, I think the project is called Lost Elevators
Tanner Roman
Nord Stage EX. Best most realistic grand and stand up sound in a keyboard anywhere, only exception being the Nord Stage 2.
transatlantic-wanderer
where can i find the mp3 file :(
rumanhore
@greygrey40 i tunes