He may be English but singer song writer TD Lind's music has a truely global feel.
Every now again somebody quite different pops up and throws you a curveball. TD Lind is that man, this ain’t fashion music like so much that fills the pages of the NME no this is about as far away from that as you can get. Shadders Online were impressed enough top give ‘Lets get lost’ a glowing review and ask his people if our people could throw down a few questions. The album review then his honest answers are here for all to read.
TD Lind – Lets get Lost (Tell Tale Records) - Intro – When we received debut single ‘Come in from the cold’ it threw us completely and utterly, we said it was a very personal and special song by a no ordinary singer songwriter. Just to take a step back TD Lind is an Englishman with a difference, he has walked away from the English goldfish bowl music scene and been around the block once or twice. Whether it be singing the blues in New York or jazz in Paris he has added influences along the way, no time more so than doing the states one side to the other via wastelands, big cities and those backwaters that give real true live experiences. The Music – This is one mans music journey that can’t easily be pigeon holed, true there are alt country vibes, a touch of the blues, elements of Dylan and Cash but TD Lind is his own man. This is a solo record that kicks ultra charming and bland efforts by such ‘artists’ like James Blunt well and truly into touch, it ain’t polished but shows the grit of a man writing both from his head and his heart. ‘Milestone’ is just his voice and an acoustic guitar, not an easy job to pull off but with a great voice like TD Lind possesses he pulls it off with some style and beauty too. ‘One fine day’ shows a rockier side but it doesn’t work as well as the more simple approach of guitars, piano and up tempo vocals of single ‘Radio Proposal’. ‘Falling’ has that alt country edge but is at heart a moving love song. In fact he is a rather fine writer of a love song, lyrically ‘Her’ is testament to that, the song itself gets a rather bouncy poppy feel and sounds all the better for it. Going back to our first comments ‘Come in from the cold’ still remains one of the finest songs we’ve heard, great guitars going head to head with Dylan style vocals and a fantastic, descriptive story too, just superb. Strangely one of the weakest tracks on the album is the only cover, a rather country take on ‘Jesus Christ’ by Woody Guthrie, not a great take but a pointer to where TD Lind is coming from. Another pointer is ‘I don’t miss you’ which Lind voice is paired only with a piano, it takes balls and talent to pull that trick out of the bag but pull it off he does with some ease. Verdict – Shamefully it’s doubtful that this album will make much of a dent on the English music scene but for those who do find a copy in their collection they will not be disappointed. TD Lind is a songwriter of the first order with some unusual musical influences for an Englishman which together makes an album that is anything but run of the mill. File under Englishman travels the world soaks in an unusual mix of blues, folk and rock influences then produces a damn fine debut album.
Questions for TD Lind
1, Firstly who is TD Lind and what does the TD stand for? TD? Timothy (never really liked, but learnt to live with!) and Daniel, it's ok.
2, You’ve just released your debut album ‘Lets get lost’ on Tell Tale Records, what can people expect and why should they buy it? I'd like to think the listener wouldn't get bored! The album consists of songs I wrote up to ten years ago to songs a year old, so hopefully a bit of a journey in there. The recordings are also over many years, so again there are different sounding songs from Radio Proposal to Discoboat. And when you've finished listening, I hope you feel different. If you feel exactly the same, use it as a coaster!
3, How would you describe your musical style? I guess I'd go with Alternative roots. It's a hard one cause in honesty the less poppy one's are more in keeping with who I am, but... I need a career so I can keep buying my lady flowers! So please buy the fucking thing!
4, Who are Tell Tale Records and where can the album be bought / downloaded from? Tall Tale Records is an Independent label set up by Jamie Arlon. It's a label that believes in passionate artists. Understanding it's about being true to your beliefs and expression and finding the right avenues to get it heard. The label's about developing a career not one hit wonders.
5, What’ s you favourite song on the album and why? Favourite song? I don't think I have an adament favourite. There's different reasons for liking certain tracks. Uhmm. Damn it, ok, I'll say Last Kiss!
6, According to your biog you’ve played jazz in Paris, the blues in New York and toured the vast wastelands of the United States. Firstly how on earth did all this come about and what was your favourite? I moved to the States when IMAGO records signed me (out of the New York office). That was the start of my years in America. From New York to L.A and Kentucky playing and visiting cities in between. Paris was before I moved to America. As far as which would be my favourite. I'd say Kentucky. I felt very at home there, great people, very welcoming and amazing musicians.
7, What sort of impression has your musical journey made on ‘Lets get lost’? Let's Get Lost has ended up consisting of songs a year old to some written ten years ago. So my travels and experiences are really the only reason for the songs on this record. Only as far as the subject matter of course. There's more stories from Kentucky and since I left which I'm looking forward to everyone hearing...but that’s the next record!
8, You’ve covered ‘Jesus Christ’ by Woody Guthrie on ‘Lets get lost’, why pick this song and who would you say are the biggest musical influences? Was there any one band or singer that made you want to pick up a guitar? The musical supervisor from the film Driving Lessons wanted the Woody Guthrie song Jesus Christ to be in a few scenes. So, they approached me to see if I'd like to sing it. Of course after living in Kentucky for so long I jumped at the chance to sing a gospel/bluegrass track. Having chosen the songs for the album I thought it would be fun to add Jesus Christ to the mix. As far as my first influence that made me want to play and sing...that credit goes to Eddie Cochran. It was my first record and it just killed me. Crank up C'mon Everybody, Somthin' else and Twenty Flight Rock! Tell me the guy doesn't rock it?!
9, What’ s the weirdest place you’ve ever visited and why? Would you go back again?! Yeh I tell you where's fucked up! Going to visit a 'dry county' in Kentucky...Home of the bourbon. There's no alcohol allowed, obviously I left having made no friends. I ain't goin' back.
10, And obviously what’s your favourite place plus where do you call home? I'd say London is home but only cause my family live there and was born in England. I feel more at ease in America, but that could do with having spent so much of my musical career there.
11, If you had to pick five songs to put on a ‘desert island’ disc, could you chose them and if so which five would you go for? You're making me choose again, damn you Shadders! Ok, but this is very loosely based on an incomplete answer! Not in order. Twenty Flight Rock - Eddie Cochran, if I feel the need to boogie! Hymn To Freedom - Oscar Peterson, to chill with a bottle of wine (do I get booze on this Island?) Charleston - Django Reinhardt, makes life just better! Ballad of The Sad Young Men -Roberta Flack for tears. Picture In A Frame - Tom Waits, perfect love song, for any soft fruit lying around.
12, What were the last three records (or downloads) you bought and why? Were they any good?! The only modern album I've bought recently is Amy Winehouse's record, great album.
13, How many friends on myspace have you got? (it’s not a competition obviously but we just like to know!). What can people find on there (any songs?) & have you a website too? I'm not sure of the actual number of friends on Myspace but I know it's over a thousand, which I think's alright...right? To be honest I'm only just getting into the computer age, I just don't feel a connection! Anyway, yes I have a website at tdlind.com. Both my Myspace and website have music as well as other things that confuse me.
14, What’ s your views on the reality music shows (like X Factor and Pop Idol) and would you ever be tempted to give them a spin to ensure more people heard your music? They're a bit of a car crash, which I guess is why they're so popular. But no, I'd rather slap my balls repeatedly against a cactus plant than try and make it on one of those shows thankyou very much!
15, Finally in no more than 50 words please write your own press release (and swearing is allowed!). A press release huh! ' Let's Get Lost the debut album from TDLind is life changing! Since purchasing it my love life has become fantastical. My lover will do anything! And let me experiment with all kinds of wonderful devices! Since listening to it I've become debt free! And have been promoted. Buy it! ' R.Biased.