PURCHASE Tim Barnes DE∆D-LOOP LP/digital download ON BANDCAMP THIS FRIDAY -- APRIL 2nd
We’ll be donating 100% of the money raised on Bandcamp Friday to Tim Barnes to help cover mounting medical costs. Record Grouch in Brooklyn will match the money raised in support of Tim and his amazing family.
OR
DONATE DIRECTLY HERE (information below)
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We loved Tim Barnes long before we ever knew Tim Barnes.
When Amish relocated to NYC in 1995-6, Brownies was a gathering point. And Ditch Croaker was a regular draw, an incredible indie pop trio; Tim was both the anchor and propeller for that band. Watching Ditch Croaker perform was a joy and Tim was its celebratory force.
Tim went multidirectional after that and we followed him, as best we could. Tim fully immersed himself in the Downtown Improv and avant communities, while also remaining a very active part of the rock scene. He had the same reach in Chicago and the list of collaborators, both here and there, remains long and storied: Wilco. Jim O’Rourke. Sonic Youth. Silver Jews. Stereolab. Essex Green. Royal Trux. Tim even drummed on the last Faust tour.
Tim dug in deep as the owner of the Quakebasket label and studio, first located in SOHO, where he drew many of these threads together, reissuing a pair of albums by Angus MacLise, as well as Christopher Tree and other long form and percussion-based works, both contemporary and historic, local and international. Many of these names have become more familiar to us all now: Sarah Hennies; Glenn Kotche; Michael Schumacher; Werner Dafeldecker and Valerio Tricoli; Tatsuya Nakatani and Peter Kowald. The list goes on.
In terms of our project, Tim played drums on, recorded, mixed and mastered PG Six's Parlor Tricks and Porch Favorites (AMI 014, 2001), then toured with Pat Gubler in support of that record.
All this context helps in understanding how Tim arrived at the most recent phase of his musical output: DE∆D-LOOP (volume 8 of Amish Records/Required Wreckers LP series) released at the very beginning of 2020. Though this album of upturned dance and pop music might come as a surprise to those who only know Tim as a drummer, his long musical history, especially with Quakebasket, point to the possibilities realized here. Rhythms, melodies and pop templates are all referenced and reconsidered. Dance music intersects with sound art, then a sample drops and we are celebrating pop music all over again. Though the album pushes certain experimental boundaries, it also moves your feet.
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AND THIS INFO FROM GOFUND ME:
If you know Tim Barnes, you know he is a friendly, creative and loving person, who has always engaged with life full-on -- from sports in his youth, to a long and varied music and sound editing career. He’s been a touring percussionist, recording artist, experienced sound editor, owner of a small record label and later a local performing arts venue – and in between an ultra-marathoner and a family man. He married in 2003, and he and his wife Erica Bricking have two boys ages 13 and 15. They moved from New York City to Louisville, KY to be closer to Erica’s family in 2007.
Tim has recently been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s Disease (EOAD). Over the past 2-3 years, his symptoms have become more defined, affecting his ability to recall words and concepts and express himself verbally. He has issues with concentration, using technology, and spatial and simple math problems. After two years of medical testing resulting in an unclear diagnosis, Tim and Erica sought help from the Mayo Clinic. The doctors there believe EOAD is the best fitting diagnosis at this time.
This is a devastating diagnosis for Tim and his family. If you know anything about Alzheimer’s (or most other dementias), there is currently no cure and treatment options are limited. Additionally, Tim’s history of having Lyme disease, toxic mold exposure, and his pre-existing autoimmune condition (Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis) has further complicated the picture, leading to questions about whether one of those conditions may have played a role.
In the hopes of slowing progression,Tim’s family is exploring therapeutics that may help mitigate (and hopefully lessen) some of his symptoms.These will include simple lifestyle changes (diet, exercise) but plans are to seek newer therapies that, while not yet standard in care for EOAD, may one day be commonplace. Our intention is to not only slow this condition, but to reach for the best and highest outcome, to reverse it. We are simultaneously realistic and hopeful, and have an amazing team collaborating on Tim’s behalf. We hope that our success will in turn inspire and inform others on the Alzheimer’s healing journey.
We have set up this GoFundMe to support Tim and his family on this journey. We know it will be a long path ahead, but with hope, help and determination, this may offer better outcomes. The support will initially be for therapeutics, ongoing testing, coaching and consults (for Lyme Disease, e.g.). It will also support a range of therapies, from supplements and ‘brain training’ Neurofeedback to Infrared Sauna and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, as well as cutting edge technology such as VieLight Gamma (currently in a phase 2 trial for Alzheimer’s). Support can also go for general family needs, as Tim no longer works in his field and Erica has taken some time off for caregiving.