Meet Nicole Timms of TIMMS in The Valley

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Timms.

Nicole, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was first brought by the stalk to my parents in Johannesburg, South Africa. I was pretty obsessed with music, entertainment and performance from the get go – probably because I have always been very bad at Math. I started playing the piano first, and was later given a flute after asking my parents to buy me a violin. I am very grateful, as I could live out every woodland creature fantasy I ever had. I was a strange kid with a twisted sense of humor who didn’t always fit in. When I was around eight, I started singing and writing my own music.

I kept writing songs all the way through high school. I fell in love with artists like Sia, Lady Gaga, Eminem and Florence and the Machine. After a frustrating high school career, I ended up working a lot of odd jobs in South Africa, including being a celebrity impersonator, a pianist in a book store, a choir master, a musical director and a solo artist and performer.

I moved to the US in 2016 to attend a music college in Boston. It was here I began working on the craft of writing pop music more intensely and began developing the artistry I have today. This is also where I really came to know myself and accept the eccentricities and strangeness that had alienated me when I was a kid. I wanted my artistry to represent my love for authentically strange people, and give those who felt different a channel of expression. After moving to LA, I released my first single which came out earlier this year. The song is called ‘Pretty Ugly’ and is about showing all the ‘pretty ugly parts of you’ that other people might find weird or ‘ugly’, that I think are rad and beautiful.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I knew that doing what I really wanted to do musically meant I was going to have to move to the US. Moving entirely on my own was definitely a struggle – not only financially but also because I left everything behind, from my family, to my friends, to my cats. I had to learn how to fit in to a brand new culture – but I love challenges and I love adventure, and I felt like I had no choice but to pursue what I really wanted.

I’ve also had a few struggles with reading including a convergence disorder and dyslexia which was super challenging in college as well as with reading music. I ended up learning everything I did by ear which has been a hinderance and an asset. I was told in high school by a music teacher that I would never be able to make music because of my reading. I guess she was wrong.

TIMMS – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My artist project is TIMMS – this is everything I am wrapped up in a musical project. It’s a baby project that launched earlier this year in 2020. I create music that sounds like a hairless cat looks – the music is dark and a little strange. It’s electronically driven with dynamic melodies and light, eerie vocals hovering on top. I’m obsessed with the unconventional, and as the TIMMS project develops, it will grow into its strangeness. The lyrics are honest and real, but I try to use every opportunity to make jokes, as life is simply too short to take seriously. I want nothing about the project to be ordinary. The music is written to encourage people to be exactly who they are and to love themselves for it. The weirder the better.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I can’t wait for us all to be able to gather in groups again. I’m currently working on a live show which will be a high energy experience with a strong visual element. My favorite thing is to be out there with the people who listen to the music, and I can’t wait until I’m able to connect with them again and put on one hell of a show. I’m also planning on an EP which will be coming out towards the end of the year, and will show a whole new dimension to TIMMS

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.timmsofficial.com/
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: instagram.com/timmsytimms/
• Facebook: facebook.com/timmsytimms1
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/TIMMSYTIMMS1
• Other: https://li.sten.to/hkmSus1

Image Credit:
Ett Venter & Alna Hofmeyr

Suggest a story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.