Staying Teenage with Billy Tibbals | In Conversation

There is a sugar and spice to the teenage years that leaves you wanting to stay in that blissful yet conflicting land between adulthood and adolescence. Like snowflakes, there are no two experiences quite the same— that first taste of freedom, sweet memories between friends, rebellion, heartbreak and the longing for something more. Not many want to dwell on the teenage years but Billy Tibbals does, and he’s guiding us onward and upward to Neverland with his upcoming debut EP, Stay Teenage.

Prior to Tibbals' take-off on his first-ever tour of the United States, Starmaker Machine had the unique pleasure of getting to know the Los Angeles-based musician a bit better, both onstage and off. Hailing from the crouch end of North London, he originally migrated to the United States during the midst of his teenage years in 2014. Taking both influences from his English and American persuasions, Tibbals is a self-described “vacuum cleaner”— going on to say, “I like to suck things up and scramble them, sometimes interesting things come out… I hope”, which goes to explain his seamless blend of antiquity with a cool modern twist reminiscent of both American and British icons of the past. Tibbals is a whirlwind of energy with a new-age glam rock sensibility that leaves you bopping your head and begging for more, yet wondering exactly what it was that kickstarted his career in music.

KITTY QUINN: Is there a particular moment that made you realize that you want to pursue music? If so, be specific!

BILLY TIBBALS: I used to perform magic and puppet shows for kids in London, I was a kid at the time myself. For some reason I’ve always wanted to get in front of people and put on a show… and create things that to me feel a bit larger than life I suppose. I think I wound up finding that music was the best way for me to express myself as I got a bit older. I had a stint as a teenage film director, tried my hand at acting at one point and got into various other creative pursuits over the years. A few years ago I started writing and recording music more seriously and haven’t stopped since.

QUINN: I love to see that you've dabbled in a variety of things! The film stuff caught my eye especially. Do you still have hopes of exploring other creative pursuits or are you keeping it mainly to music?

TIBBALS: I think that all of those past endeavors are definitely still part of what I’m doing— looking forward to getting creative with the music videos and all that!

I had the opportunity to see Tibbals and his band on the first two nights of the tour in Covington, KY, and Cleveland, OH, and left the venues as a newfound fan. The band appeared each night in ensembles marked with interesting patterns, scarves and an impressive vintage touch. Though they served as the supporting act, the band made the stage their own with their boisterous tunes paired with Tibbals’ high jumps, sometimes theatrical singing and a mesmerizing wide-eyed gaze. There is no doubt that the name “Billy Tibbals” was hot on the minds of each audience member long after their leave.

QUINN: Who or what are your biggest inspirations when it comes to what shaped the sound of your music? Have you always been interested in more eclectic elements? How has this influenced other aspects of your life?

TIBBALS: A big part of what influences my sound is definitely all the music I heard when I was a little kid. I loved bands like Queen, Abba and the Scissor Sisters but my absolute faves were alway the Beatles! When I started high school I met a group of friends who were well into that thing of discovering obscure bands and buying records and stuff… naturally I joined in! Perhaps my music is sort of a combination of what I heard as a child and have lodged securely in my brain, and the many bands and artists that I have come across and listened to as a young adult— I think that’s probably about right.

QUINN: I understand that you've released the first single of your upcoming EP Stay Teenage called “Hollywood Baby”, what was the writing process of this song like? Is there a particular storyline you're following for the EP? When will it be available?

TIBBALS: As far as I can remember, “Hollywood Baby” was one of the first songs that I wrote during Covid lockdown… I was just finishing my senior year in high school, I was watching a lot of movies since there wasn’t much else to do, and it sounds corny but sort of looking back and thinking about some of my past experiences and relationships… Stay Teenage was all written at that time and while I was in that reflective state of mind. It’s not really a storyline but I suppose it does adhere to a bit of a concept - one that came about quite naturally— it’s about growing up and wanting to just stay a kid I guess… or a teenager! I wanna stay teenage! More singles from the EP will be released while we are on tour and the whole thing comes out around when we get back.

While on tour, Tibbals has been playing a number of songs off of Stay Teenage, and it is safe to say that it does not disappoint! Much like the breakout single, “Hollywood Baby'', every track proves to be cohesive yet unique in its own right. Alongside t-shirts and a 7” single version of the musician’s debut songs “Onwards and Upwards”/”Lucy”, Tibbals has also been selling vinyl copies of the brand new EP to new audiences who may have liked what they have seen and heard during his performances.

QUINN: You’ll be joining Mac Saturn on tour for the next couple of months. Is this your first time on tour? if so, is there anything you’re particularly excited about? Any places you look forward to seeing?

TIBBALS: Yeah, this is gonna be my first-ever tour! I’m really excited! I’ve been playing these songs from Stay Teenage around LA for quite a while now and I’m looking forward to doing it for new crowds in different places. Looking forward to meeting people at shows and having a bloody great time!

QUINN: For my last question, if you could choose any specific film, book or album that you feel is a perfect summation of your life/what you want your life to be, what would that be?

TIBBALS: The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss

And the Cat in the Hat, he is. Having only met and witnessed Billy Tibbals and his band perform two times, it is safe to say that it will not be my last! Tibbals proved to be a character unlike many others, and most definitely stands out in the best of ways. If you haven’t already, give “Hollywood Baby” a listen and stay tuned for the release of his debut EP, Stay Teenage.

Connect with Billy Tibbals Band!

The Latest Single: https://orcd.co/hollywoodbaby

Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/yc4by9ea

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billytibbalsband/