Tim Mahoney

THE WINNER.
NEVER HIDE
YOUR MUSIC:
WHAT INSPIRES YOUR MUSIC?
I write songs from simple things like conversations
I overhear or dialogue in movies. There is always a
melody or lyric, in some form, working itself out in my
head. My newest record, Stay/Leave, evolved from the
confusion over a relationship. Currently, I’m working
on a song about the 35W bridge that collapsed in my
home state of Minnesota.
WHAT HAS DRIVEN YOU TO KEEP WRITING AND
PERFORMING?
I still find passion in creating music and it remains
fulfilling to put my thoughts to song. There are so
many highs and lows in the music business that
continue to fuel my desire to write and create.
STAY/LEAVE OPENS A NEW CHAPTER IN YOUR
SONGWRITING. WHAT ALLOWED YOU TO REACH DEEPER
AND WRITE THESE TYPES OF SONGS?
The lyrics come from the process of being aware
and honest with how I was feeling; what I wanted
and needed in my life. The record is a very accurate
snapshot of what was going on in my life at the time.
I co-wrote some of the lyrics with the producer of
the CD, he really dug some honest lyrics out of me by
asking about personal things that needed to come
out in the songs.
YOU HAVE A REPUTATION FOR PUTTING ON INTENSE
LIVE SHOWS. WHAT INSPIRES YOUR PERFORMANCES?
It may not be a perfected art, but I try to feel out
what the audience wants to hear. Sometimes people
want a chill set, other times they want to go out to
dance, sing along and be entertained.
HOW OPENLY DO YOU COMMUNICATE WITH
YOUR FANS?
I try and communicate with them as much as
possible. MySpace is a great venue to bring new
music to my fans and instantly get their feedback.
I recently got a letter from a guy who wanted me
to send a CD to a girl he was crazy about in Italy.
I was really flattered my music might help seal the
deal for this guy. So, of course, I sent the CD.
WHAT PROMPTED YOU TO ENTER THE NEVER HIDE
CONTEST AND HOW DOES YOUR MUSIC EXEMPLIFY
THE SPIRIT OF NEVER HIDE?
I entered because my music on Stay/Leave is truthful.
As an artist it’s easy to hide behind music without
truth because there isn’t the same personal attach-
ment. When I create honest music, I can never hide.
THOUSANDS DREAMED OF THEIR CHANCE AT STARDOM. ONE WINNER PREVAILED.
TIM MAHONEY, A MINNEAPOLIS bORN SINGER-SONGWRITER, COMbINED bITTERSWEET LYRICS,
POP/ROCK bEATS AND RASPY VOCALS TO WIN THE RAY bAN NEVER HIDE MUSIC CONTEST.
HE SHARED WITH US WHAT INSPIRES HIS MUSIC AND SONGWRITING AND DRIVES HIM TO NEVER HIDE.

- Rolling Stone