Billy Tibbals (Photo credit: Miranda Penn Turin)
Billy Tibbals emerges onto the music scene, unleashing his EP, ‘Nightlife Stories’, a six-track testament to the raw essence of rock and roll. In this interview with Jason Barnard, Billy invites us into his world that echoes the glamour of yesteryear but ties it with the modern age.
Can you share the inspiration behind ‘The World Revolves’ from that EP and its connection to Peggy Lee’s ‘Is That All There Is?’
That Peggy Lee song is one of my favorites! There’s not really any connection to the Peggy Lee song, I suppose the lyrics are unconsciously a bit inspired by the chorus of that song maybe. I wrote the lyrics for it very quickly. Usually I find I’m most honest that way, not overthinking things. I can get so caught up in things sometimes that I forget to have a good time. It’s a song about not forgetting to have fun!
‘The World Revolves’ reflects on the strain of daily life’s hustle and bustle. How do you navigate between addressing serious themes and creating an upbeat musical atmosphere?
I don’t wanna take anything too seriously really. I hate when people talk about serious music! Usually that sort of ‘serious music’ is the most dreary you know? ‘The World Revolves’ lyrically kinda reflects the way I feel most days, how most of us feel I think. We’re all living in the same messed up world.
There’s a lot of horrible stuff going on all the time. I think it’s important to forget about that now and then and just let loose and have fun. It’s really important to have as much fun as possible! There aren’t enough parties going on these days. Maybe I’m just not getting invited to them. I’m gonna throw some more parties!
‘Nightlife Stories’ is set for release on April 26. How does this EP differ from your debut, ‘Stay Teenage’, and can you delve into the themes and narratives that weave through it?
Well it’s a louder, wilder record! Slightly more tongue and cheek I would say for the most part though not any less sincere. The records a self portrait of where I was at back when I wrote it, how I was feeling. I’m a very different person now! I was a very different person when I wrote the songs for ‘Stay Teenage’. That record was more reflecting on my experiences in High School, a coming of age sort of thing.
With ‘Nightlife Stories’ I’m singing from the perspective of different characters that inhibit the world of the record. It’s not insanely conceptual though as the record’s title might have you believe. Hopefully there are enough musical and lyrical ideas in there to make it an entertaining listen for people.
‘Nightlife Stories’ was produced by Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes. How did this collaboration come about, and how did his influence shape its sound?
I met Chris a couple years ago at a bar in LA. We got chatting and I ended up sending him a few of my demos that I’d been recording. Those demos ended up turning into the songs on ‘Stay Teenage’. Chris is really the best to work with and when it came to recording ‘Nightlife Stories’ I think we were both really on the same page with what we wanted to do. We wanted to make something louder and more abrasive. I think we accomplished what we set out to do!
Your music has been compared to the glam and pop of the early ’70s, as well as early ’80s new-wave. How do you balance these influences while bringing a new perspective to your sound?
I think it’s up to other people to decide how original or interesting I am! For some people I probably just sound like a carbon copy of something that’s already happened. Others feel a different way about it. I never consciously try to imitate other bands. Everything that I’ve ever listened to just gets all mixed up in my head and comes out a certain way.
I always make a conscious effort to never repeat myself though. I want everything I do to be something different. It’s an interesting and confusing world to live in with a computer full of everything that’s ever happened right at our fingertips. I just like proper good timeless songs!
How important is your visual aesthetics to your musical identity?
I think it’s incredibly important.
‘Nightlife Stories’ is described as bringing glam rock to 2024 within a burgeoning LA rock scene. Do you see yourself contributing to the revival of rock music, and what do you believe sets your music apart?
There’s not a whole lot of great rock n roll music coming out right now. There are a few new bands that I love and I don’t think they’ve really got enough recognition either. Hopefully more people get hip to it soon. There are so many phony rock n roll bands out there. Simulations! Imitators! Imposters! I don’t dig that kinda stuff. I only like the real thing.
Given you grew up in London and moved to Los Angeles aged 11, how have these diverse experiences influenced you?
My experiences growing up in London as well as Los Angeles continue to influence everything I do. I feel like I’ve kind of got a mix of English and American sensibilities now. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not. I’m neither here nor there. I’m everywhere!
You started writing songs in high school, teaching yourself piano and guitar. How has your songwriting process evolved since then, and do you still draw inspiration from those early experiences?
I’m probably still influenced more than anything by the things that I consumed as a child. I think that’s just a natural thing that happens with most artists. I’ve definitely grown a lot as a songwriter. I think my new record is the best stuff I’ve done yet. The next one will be even better!
You have an upcoming tour supporting The Black Crowes. How do you prepare for touring, and what are you most looking forward to playing live?
We’ve been rehearsing a lot! In March we put on a show every Sunday at the Monty in Downtown LA. I had a lot of my favorite bands come and play with us, we had a blast! It was a good way for us to warm up our new set for the tour as-well! I’m really looking forward to playing “Dream Away” live. I’ve never really played any of my ballads live and I think we’ve got a really great live arrangement for it! I can’t wait!
Following the live dates and EP release, what are your plans?
I’m currently writing the songs for what I think is going to become my debut LP of songs. Hoping to get that out this year and play as many shows in as many places as I possibly can!
Further information
New EP Nightlife Stories, out April 26 via Silver Arrow Records
Embarking on tour with The Black Crowes this April
