Hummabyes is Tim’s second album and is a refreshing set of whimsical alt. country flavoured indie-pop songs chock full of charmingly hummable tunes. He recorded it at home with his flatmates, who just happen to be Anika Moa (bass, bvs) and Anna Coddington (drums, bvs), both acclaimed singer/songwriters in their own right.
As well as Anna and Anika, the Hummabyes album features special guest appearances from a few of Tim’s mates, all NZ music luminaries, including Ed Cake, Jeremy Toy, Age Pryor, Paul McLaney and Steve Abel. Tim recorded and produced the album himself on an eight track and it was mixed by Ed Cake at Platform studios and mastered by Chris Chetland at Kog in Auckland.
Originally from Melbourne, Tim has adopted Auckland as his new home. Back in 2002 he met award winning singer/songwriter Bic Runga backstage after one of her gigs and gave her a demo tape of a few of his songs. Bic liked them so much she offered to produce his album and she ended up playing drums and guitar and lending her voice to the material as well. The resulting critically acclaimed album ‘Blazey’ was released in 2004 on Bic’s label ‘Nu Shoo Records’.
Tim played support for Bic on her Acoustic Churches tour that year, performing 25 shows to over 15,000 people, and since then he has been in constant demand touring with the likes of Anika Moa, Miriam Clancy, Paul McLaney, Age Pryor, Steve Abel and Tommy as well as undertaking his own 33 date solo tour in 2006.
Reviews
“This gentle album is so light it makes the Bats sound like Thin Lizzy.
Auckland-based singer-songwriter Guy has stripped his music back to airy arrangments for guitar and bass (with ukulele, slide, harmonica and triangle where required) but the whole thing has a summershine spaciousness and the smart production lets these whimsical (but never twee) songs breathe even more gently.
Beautiful backing vocals by Anika Moa and Anna Coddington, a few classy but discreet guests, and who knew the Tokey Tones would ever have such a profound influence?
Soft pop which just charms like crazy — right up until the final track which is a funny and wheezy singalong for drunken uncles at a wedding.” Graham Reid, Elsewhere
“Transplanted Australian singer-songwriter Tim Guy makes his home in Auckland these days. And what a home it is. Among his flatmates are Anika Moa and Anna Coddington, both of whom form Tim’s band The Tutaes with Anika playing bass and Anna handling the drumming duties. Hummabyes is an unassuming little pop gem. The ten tracks were recorded on Tim’s rickety reel-to-reel tape recorder with plenty of lo-fi tape hiss in evidence. But the cosy homemade vibes shines through in songs like Protection, Love For Sale and Stephen. Anika and Anna chirp away in the background while Tim provides jangly guitar and a warm, hushed vocal. Guest musicians drop by around for a wee chat. That’s Ed Cake playing and singing on Protection, Jeremy Toy chiming in on Make Down and Age Pryor’s ukulele on the gentle Summer Breeze. Pryor, Paul McLaney and Steve Abel join in for a drunken sing along on the closing track, Secrets and Golden. This is Guy’s second album; the first was released on Bic Runga’s Nu Shoo label in 2004. It sounds like Guy has insinuated himself nicely into the Auckland musical scene. This album isn’t going to conquer the world but that’s not the point. It’s the sound of a handful of mates getting together to make some music. Feel free to join in.” **** (four stars) Marty Duda, Real Groove
“… if Tim Guy were to sing these songs to me as we sailed our rowboat into the lazy horizon, I’d sure be perfectly happy. It’d be ok, because his bandmates Anna Coddington and Anika Moa would be there singing the sweetest harmonies this side of the Tasman, and tastefully augmenting Tim’s guitar work with their bass/drums combo. I guess my point is, this is some hardcore sleepily romantic music. It all sounds effortless and the songs roll along like some kind of blissed out Sunday afternoon.“ Matt Crawley, Eavesdrop
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Tim Guy is originally from Melbourne but these days he calls Auckland, New Zealand home. Back in 2002 he met Bic Runga backstage after one of her gigs and gave her a demo tape of a few of his songs. Bic liked them so much she offered to produce his album and she ended up playing drums and guitar and lending her voice to the material as well. The resulting album ‘Blazey’ was released in 2004 on Bic’s new label ‘Nu Shoo Records’.
