Journey through the Whisper Dish
Introducing the DIY solo project of Musician Tim McNaughton creating its own frequency.
Words by Delilah Pārore Southon. Images by Cam Hay.
Some good things can come out of bad situations; such is the case with ‘Whisper Dish’. What was to be a band became a solo project for Devonport based artist Tim McNaughton – due to this year’s ‘lockdown.’ Formerly the guitarist for Marlin’s Dreaming, Tim’s music on ‘Whisper Dish’ is like a transportation to another era, yet still pulls on modern music’s zesty heartstrings.
Tim has achieved rare and specific alchemy. The lyrics, the tune and the artist’s voice make a complete affecting spell that fans, mystics, critics, and neuroscientists should all try to explain. The pandemic occurred midway through the recording process, making it harder to get others involved, so the project became a DIY approach with the limited gear he owned. Tim has been teaching himself audio engineering through trial and error - in a makeshift cottage studio.
Debut track ‘They Don’t Know’ transports you to a Midwest garden party that has a Malibu oceanfront planted centre stage. It’s like the tip of a rollercoaster plunging into the deep unknown, where cacti grow and flourish with limited H2O. Every twist and turn of the track dotes passion, serious craft and a soft sense of mystery. It’s one-way ticket transportation to a hotspot where you’re hanging with Rock’ n’ Roll greats. And, most importantly, it’s a perceived visual of Jimi Hendrix parked up in an old Subaru on a Dunedin beach. A dichotomous, harmonious, masterpiece.
Tim’s musical venture is a complete contrast to his learned experiences in various professional recording studios over the past four years. His promising EP is a new outlook on every sense of the traditional music-making process and a new perspective on creation. His debut as a solo artist has begun.
Through a conditioned process of self-taught learning, the result is a seven-track EP boasting varying tempos and styles. It could be described as an amalgamation of all the wide-ranging genres of music he’s been exposed to over the years, but it is mainly rooted in alternative rock.
The soft kick-drum with a 4/4 pulse is a sound that’s contagious (you’re constantly wanting more). He has created a tone that works well with sunshine and villainous gin and tonics, whilst giving a nod to a psychedelic vibe that caresses your ears and calms your mind.
Tim’s inception as an artist stems from many influences. He grew up listening to his parents’ record collection of greats like Bob Dylan, Neil Young, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones, and Nina Simone. Naturally, when he picked up a guitar at 11 years of age, he wanted to learn to play Jimi Hendrix, The Strokes, and Red Hot Chilli Peppers. Local Devonport guitar wizard Hugh Allan became his teacher and taught Tim everything he wanted to know. He invited Tim to a local house party to watch his band Mothra play, even though he was 11 years old at the time (he was accompanied by his Father). The future path of being a musician was setting into fruition.
Musical influences also surrounded him growing up with older bands, from the local scene, including The Veils, The Checks, The Coshercot Honeys AKA Brain Slaves, and The Electric Confectionaires – just to name a few.
“I think that seeing others around you create music helps you to realise it is achievable. It seemed that loads of people at Takapuna Grammar School were giving songwriting a crack and that got the ball rolling for many young musicians.”
Key influence from Hip-hop greats such as A Tribe Called Quest, Common, Mos Def, and Slum Village added to his rich potion of musical knowledge. He was downloading early 2000’s digital audio workstation’ Fruity Loops’ on his parents PC with the intention of making hip-hop beats. Tim laughs, “the results were shocking as you can imagine… but you have to start somewhere”. It’s an influence that is prevalent with the hand-spun element of ‘Whisper Dish’; with the clear ‘use-what-you-have’ mentality.
Upon venturing to Dunedin for University, the passion for a musical career grew bounteous — meeting and flatting with lots of muso’s. He was watching the Dunedin music scene change from Drum & Bass to live bands. Part of his degree included music industry papers which he says have come in handy at times. Tim moved back to Auckland and started playing the guitar again with a good friend, high school buddy and musician Dillon Feeney of an alternative blues band, Smokestack Slim (who he still plays with).
Returning from a stint travelling, he made another trek to Dunedin, in 2017. Several years before, he had worked in a surf shop with [singer] Semisi Mai’ai, and when the band Marlin’s Dreaming was forming, Semisi asked Tim to join, as lead guitarist. Marlin’s Dreaming’s music mixes pieces of indie, psychedelic and surf rock. After a two year stint in the band, and a couple of Summer tours, Tim left to focus on his own career pathway as a musician.
“I had a bunch of songs that I had written, and I figured that if I didn’t commit and record them the way I envisioned, it might never happen… I didn’t want to feel regret for never giving my own music a decent shot. Overall, my experience with Marlin’s Dreaming was great. I learned loads about the industry, songwriting and touring, which are very valuable experiences.”
Already having a firm grip on the music industry through recording in established studios across Aotearoa, from ‘The Lab’ in Mount Eden, to ‘Chicks Hotel’ in Dunedin with Marlin’s Dreaming, the biggest learning curve came with the creation of ‘Whisper Dish’ and stepping out on his own.
With the key task of figuring out how to record songs with limited resources, an impending pandemic, and a growing knowledge base meant the project became much more intriguing. A rigmarole of trial and error began. “It seemed at every step I would do something wrong and have to try again to correct it… I’m pleased that I did it this way as I feel that mistakes are the best way for me to learn…. It seems obvious to let a professional help you if you don’t know what you are doing. However, from my experiences in professional studios I felt that I was just observing the recording process, rather than being fully immersed in it and learning.”
Tim has nothing at all against recording studios, but within himself had a driving ambition to learn and pursue the craft. The efficiency of handcrafted methodology rings true in the unique sound of this completely homegrown EP.
When asked about the creative process that every artist endures, he says “The creative process usually starts with everyday life until you stumble across something that catches your attention. This could be an idea, a sound, a riff/melody. Then, I find it is important to try to complete as much of the song/creative endeavour while the spark is still lit. This is because it can be difficult to get back on the wavelength that you were operating on – kind of like trying to find a radio station if you don’t know the frequency number”.
Using his newfound approach to juxtapose against previous experiences in proper studios, and to get a different feeling and sound, the process of figuring everything out on his own would eventually be the pathway to a learned skill to further the creative process.
He had no one to bounce ideas, advice and energy off; every problem encountered was his own responsibility to resolve. Which, as imagined, can be frustrating at times.
“Embracing mistake is an important part of the learning process,” states Tim.
“Yet, from a progressive standpoint, getting other people involved would help lead the project down a few different alleys which could have been interesting”.
“I think the biggest hurdle was trying not to ruin what I thought was a good riff, with a bad song,” laughs Tim.
When asked about writer’s block, and the tedious nature of motivation, Tim notes, “I’m not sure if there is any right or wrong way of dealing with writer’s block. However, I think that instead of trying to push through, going and doing something else can sometimes solve the issue. Sometimes just before I’m going to sleep, I will figure out something I was having trouble with, or even when just doing something mundane. I don’t get it too often, but then I only really work on music when I am in the mood.”
“I think it is wise to accept that you are not going to like everything you create (or potentially anything)… then you can just put things behind you and keep trying to make something better. I like to think that if you embrace criticism from yourself or others, you can use that as a drive to keep going.”
As with surprises; the biggest shock lies in the fact that his nine-year-old Toshiba laptop is still alive and running ( it has to be plugged-in to work) after so many years, and stayed loyal throughout the mixing of the project.
And as for future plans, the Summer looks inviting. With a boost of energy on the New Zealand music scene, there’s a growing opportunity for artists alike.
“I think that as technology continues to advance at its overwhelming pace, creating music will become even easier for everyone to make. This means there will be loads of new New Zealand music. As for live music, as long as we can keep venues alive by supporting local acts, then live performances will continue. It would be grim if all live performances had to be streamed.”
‘Whisper Dish’ is set to sizzle airwaves, radio frequencies, taringas, and float through local hotspots this Summer with its energetic, transformative sound. It really leaves you wanting more.
Art and artists influence what you do and how you think. In a world where commitment is varied, and the future semi-unclear, Tim and his energetic offering that is, ‘Whisper Dish’ is laying a solid foundation in the Tower of Song.