Staff Blog: Tim Olden

Music Curator Blog, January

A New Year Workout

One of the best things about being Music Curator is that I listen to a lot of new music. Headphones are great for the office but nothing sounds better than hearing music through speakers. At home I listen to music through my trusty old KEF Concertos, speakers that I rescued from a skip many, many years ago which were originally built around the year I was born!

These old friends have been dragged from house to house, abused and taken for granted, they haven’t really been given the love they deserve.  Like us after a certain period of time speakers start to deteriorate, The capacitors in the crossovers wear out making things sound flabby and less bright. Unlike us there is something I can do about it which doesn’t require diets, workouts and Soduko brain trainers, I just replace the capacitors and they should sound better than new!

So I eagerly await the pots, soldering iron ready and a new clutch of music to be played. I’ll let you know how it goes...

Music Curator Blog, November

I’ve been collecting (or is it hoarding) records since I was twelve, that’s a lot of records. Starting off with TV and film soundtracks, then on to new wave, electronic, avant-garde, trip hop, ambient, library, spoken, field recordings, classical, rock and pop - a somewhat scattergun approach maybe.

So, being the Curator of Music at AT&MT could be seen as dangerous for a hoarder collector like me. I try to buy a record from every gig we host and I must say it’s turning into quite a collection. I guess if I get the kids to have the band sign the sleeves, that’s OK, it’s not technically for me!

Old habits die hard and whenever I can the rest of the family have to stand by as I merrily crate dig for new jewels for the collection, it’s all valuable research I tell them. Since my last post I’ve started to expand a sub-collection of Mull recordings more deliberately, small for now but it’s a good foundation and really interesting research.

I must admit the collection is getting a little out of control - does anyone know a good structural engineer!

Music Curator Blog, October

We ended October with an unforgettable final two gigs! First, Connor J Weir took the stage with an innovative set that brought Django Reinhardt vibes to life. Using lopped “La Pompe” rhythms and overdubbing with his lightning-fast fingerwork, Connor created a soundscape that was both complex and captivating. His seamless blending of tunes, layering of rhythms, and real-time improvisation made for an electrifying musical journey.

To close out our season, Lady Maisery delivered a stunning performance filled with close harmonies and musical mastery. Their set was a beautiful mix of traditional folk, original compositions, and heartfelt tributes to icons like Björk, Tracy Chapman, and Lal Waterson. The range of instruments—voice, harp, percussion, harmonium, banjo, accordion, viola, electric guitar, and even organ—created a lush, layered sound that left the audience spellbound. The buzz in the room was undeniable, with many hoping they’ll return not only for another performance but also to lead a group singing workshop!

With the performance space now resting for the winter, you might wonder what a music curator does off-season. Well, bookings for 2025 are already in motion, with a mix of returning favorites and fresh new acts on the lineup. I’ll also be diving into research on recording techniques to explore ways we can stream and archive our shows. And soon, we’ll be building a small in-house digital video and audio production studio—exciting things ahead!

Lastly, I’m on the hunt for more recordings with a Mull connection (despite my already overflowing record collection!), if you have any local favorites or hidden gems, I’d love to hear your suggestions! Tim@antobarandmulltheatre.co.uk