We’re looking forward to introducing you to Tim Angsten. Check out our conversation below.
Tim, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
Every music project I undertake is a labor of love, driven by the hope that I’ll create something I can be proud of. It’s the drive of every artist, a spark of passion ignites, and we chase it, never fully knowing where it will lead but trusting we’ll find pride in the outcome.
Yet, as much as I cherish my creative pursuits, what fills me with the deepest pride is something far more personal, often unseen by the world and that’s building a family with my wife. Together, we’re raising four children, ages 8 down to 2, each a unique soul growing in their own way.
The intricate moments, bedtime talks, shared laughter, quiet triumphs, make this journey special. Nothing is more challenging or rewarding than guiding our children as they grow into their own individuals, each with their own dreams and quirks. My wife and I feel truly blessed to witness this unfolding story, one that rivals any song I could ever write.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Tim Angsten and I’m a country-pop-rock singer-songwriter rooted in Nashville, Tennessee. Humor is the pulse of my life. Ask any musician who’s been crammed in a tour van with me. Whether it’s cracking jokes with lifelong friends or sparking laughter with strangers, bringing smiles to faces is woven into who I am. There’s something magical about filling a room with laughter, and I’ve never been able to resist it.
I tour year-round across the country alongside incredible up-and-coming artists, sharing stages and stories. When I’m not on the road, you’ll find me performing Nashville’s Lower Broadway. I’ve been honored to play iconic venues like The Bluebird Cafe, The Listening Room, and Losers for Whiskey Jam, each gig a milestone in my journey.
Offstage, I run Tim Pan Alley Productions, my solo studio nestled on our property. It’s a creative haven where I collaborate with aspiring artists, crafting music that’s as real as the dreams behind it.
Songwriting, though, is my true north. My solo catalog is extensive, with tracks landing in TV placements, but nothing beats the thrill of seeing my co-writes soar. In the last two years, I’ve had the privilege of co-writing songs with country-rock artist KC Johns, several hitting the Top 10 on the Texas charts. Our single, “Rodeo Queen,” went viral on TikTok, racking up over a million Spotify streams alone, a whirlwind moment I’ll never forget.
Chasing music has been a wild, unpredictable ride, and I’m eager to see where this road takes me next!
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
This question strikes at the heart of what it means to live authentically. I’ve always been a rule-breaker. Not in a reckless way, but in my refusal to let others dictate how things “should” be done. When I discovered music, it became my anchor, my rebellion against conformity. No one was going to take it from me, no matter how grueling the journey.
I wish more people would pause to reflect on what this question truly asks. As an artist, I’ve always been “anti-system,” and I believe most creatives share that fire. Growing up, we’re told we can be anything we dream of, but too often, that encouragement narrows into a funnel of practicality: “Set those dreams aside, finish school, and chase a paycheck to secure your future.” The spark of childhood ambition gets buried under the weight of “realistic” expectations.
I’m not naive, I know bills need paying and families need supporting. But it’s a tragedy when young people are persuaded to trade their passions for security. The older I get, the more I realize life is fleeting, a single, precious chance to live boldly, that’s all you get. So, I urge everyone: don’t let the world define who you’re supposed to be. If you feel it has, carve out just fifteen minutes a day to reconnect with your true passion, that thing that set your heart ablaze as a kid. Our unique talents are gifts, and the world desperately needs the light they bring.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
I’d rather call it failure than suffering, though the two are close cousins. Let me be clear: my music career has seen far more failures than triumphs. But isn’t that the life of any entrepreneur? Whether it’s a single that flops, a social media campaign that fizzles, an uninspired co-write, or a night when my voice betrays me on stage, each misstep is a lesson. Failures, I’ve learned, teach you far more than successes ever could.
A quote from Nicolas Cage in National Treasure comes to mind as I reflect on this. His character said Thomas Edison tried and failed nearly 2,000 times to create the carbonized cotton-thread filament for the incandescent light bulb. When asked about it, Edison replied, “I didn’t fail; I found 2,000 ways not to make a light bulb.” He only needed one way to succeed. That’s life. Our failures aren’t just dead ends, they’re stepping stones, each one teaching us how to navigate closer to our goal.
More than anything, failing means you’re still in the game, still swinging. With every stumble, you’re uncovering new ways to win. But my failures have revealed something even deeper and that’s how fiercely I love music. That’s the true gift of falling short. Anyone can bask in a passion when it’s delivering victories, but will you stand by it when it lets you down? When you do, you know it’s not just a hobby, it’s your calling.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
The public version of me is about as real as it gets. I’m an unfiltered character, through and through. Whether I’m in my kitchen or out in the world, if a thought pops into my head, I’m likely to let it fly, especially if it’ll get a laugh. I love catching people off guard.
Like anyone, I gauge the vibe of a social setting and might dial it back in certain situations. But don’t be surprised if I’m the guy sparking raised eyebrows with a playful joke or a wild conspiracy theory tossed out with a mischievous grin. Life’s too short to play it safe, and I thrive on those moments of unexpected laughter that connect strangers.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
For those outside the music industry, it’s hard to grasp that for most artists, music is a day job like any other. I often get comments like, “So, you still doing that music thing?” As if, unless you’re splashed across TV screens or blasting on Clear Channel Radio, you’re not really “doing” music. It always cracks me up. It’s like me asking, “You still doing that lawyer thing? I haven’t seen you on any downtown billboards!” I pour my heart into making music that moves me, and when it resonates with listeners, that’s pure magic. It’s every songwriter’s dream come true.
More than chasing fame, though, my deepest hope is that when I’m gone, my children will understand and take pride in who I was. Even if I never become a household name, my catalog of songs and productions is a legacy. A way for them and their children to hear my voice, feel my passion, and connect with my story long after I leave this earth. I hope they see that I chased my dream with everything I had, no matter how tough the road got. Above all, I want my journey to inspire them to fearlessly pursue what sets their hearts on fire.
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Image Credits
Jamie Angsten
Sam Kay
