Back in 2021, Seattle-based multi-instrumentalist, producer, mixer, and songwriter Timothy Robert Graham released his Could Be Better EP, a bittersweet take on the years battling through the pandemic, away from touring and collaborating with others. Now, the musician is delivering his counterpoint with the satirically titled EP, Could be Worse, featuring three new singles ‘Get Me Out Of Here’, ‘Till There Was You’ and ‘These Days’. Together the two EPs come as a light-hearted reminder that not everything needs to be perfect, whether that’s with songwriting, another form of creativity or daily life. For listeners, it’s a cue to focus on the silver linings and choose gratitude whenever you’re losing perspective.
Timothy Robert Graham recorded the Could Be Worse EP between his home and a warehouse studio sequestered away in Seattle’s industrial district SODO. The first track that came to the fore is ‘Get Me Out Of Here’, initially written as a cathartic release during those long, languid days of the 2021 pandemic. Although, beyond that experience, this single will strike a chord with anyone who is missing travel and community, or feeling the need to escape when the walls are closing in.
Listen to ‘Could be worse':
Here, Timothy summarises the inspiration and context behind ‘Get Me Out Of Here:
“When life feels meaningless or monotonous I think it’s easy to check out or cope with entertainment or drugs. But I think it’s really important to also learn a way to feel your feelings and get grounded. I started getting mild panic attacks over the pandemic and convinced myself I was going to actually have a heart attack. So, I started running. At first I could only run a mile. But little by little I noticed I could run further and further without needing to stop. It doesn’t matter how you get out of your head, but getting outside has been really good for me. I cook most days, get to the beach by my house most weeks, and still find so much joy in listening to records and making music. I hope my song inspires someone to go outside and also create their own healthy coping mechanisms. Being healthy is fucking awesome. You can use that extra energy to create stuff or play and feel like a kid again. If someone could please make a skate video to Get Me Out of Here my life will feel super meaningful.”
As for the other two tracks on the EP, ‘Till There Was You’ is a love song for friends, designed like a typically romantic song, but conveying that intense appreciation one has for friends who can stand by you in thick and thin. For this one, Timothy recruited Ash Negal (they/them), who fronts the band TV Star, to sing harmony and to help finish the song.
The third and final track is the musician’s own take on the 1967 single ‘These Days’, first recorded by Nico, then later re-recorded by Jackson Browne, before later being popularised as one of the soundtracks to Wes Anderson’s The Royal Tenenbaums. Featuring the country-tinged voice of Lerin Herzer, this cover took years in the making until Timothy was finally happy with it. This song also holds a special meaning to the artist, who relates to the fear of trying again, whether that be in love or life.
All in all, when these three singles come together in Could Be Worse, they signify coming over a tough couple of years for Timothy Robert Graham. However, this release also represents how things are now looking up; the music community is coming back together and Timothy is once again creating with the people he loves.