Duval Timothy
Multidisciplinary artist Duval Timothy (PC: Bandcamp)
Who They Are
Duval Timothy is a painter, pianist, photographer, sculptor, designer, videographer, chef, textile manufacturer, and producer who divides his time between South-London and Freetown, Sierra Leone. Timothy founded Carrying Colour (CC), a combination lifestyle brand and independent record label, as an avenue for his artistic endeavors. Every handcrafted piece on CC, whether it be clothing, music, sculpture, or art, features a central thematic exploration of color in terms of both chromatics and identity.
Why You Should Listen
Every once in a while, I come across an artist who is so fascinating that I want nothing more than to have the opportunity to take them out for a cup of coffee and just talk. I want to learn more about them as a person, their experiences, their inspirations, their hopes, what drives them. Not an interview, per se. Merely a conversation. Naturally, Duval Timothy is the latest such artist. Everything he does is decidedly cool. From his clothing line that features bold, clean lines and vibrant colors to his prolific discography that deftly combines personal touches of his Sierra Leonean heritage and piano-forward instrumentals, Timothy’s creations all appear to be the product of insightful vision and unique experience. His recordings go beyond the traditional, serving as ethnographic explorations. For example, 2 Sim, an EP with an accompanying short film, analyzes what it signifies to be a person of mixed heritage or dual nationality in present-day West-Africa via a mixture of field recordings and interviews that are then layered with solo guitar and piano pieces. Likewise, the full-length LP Sen Am, the name a Krio phrase that translates to “send it”, contains graceful, intricate piano arrangements sprinkled with cameos featuring a cast of his friends and family. Accordingly, Timothy brilliantly manages to grant extramusical representations to his supplementary piano and guitar compositions and in turn evoke a deeper meaning from the highlighted voice recordings and cultural explorations.
What You Should Listen To
Of the over 300 albums I listened to this past summer, Sen Am was easily one of the most striking and engaging, truly a spectacular front-to-back listen. Duval Timothy’s latest release, Help, is another compelling LP replete with star-studded support and some of his most avant garde compositional and instrumental formations to date. Key singles from Help include the poignant, atmospheric “Fall Again”, featuring talented guitarist Melanie Faye and accomplished vocalist and producer Lil Silva, and the genuine music industry commentary “Slave”, featuring notable producer, songwriter, and actor Twin Shadow. But, while you’re at it, there’s no reason not to spend an extra hour going through 2 Sim and the recently re-released Brown Loop.