Melbourne indie alt folk troubadour Tim Wheatley has announced the release of his new single, ‘Valerie‘ and debut solo album, Cast of Yesterday, set for release later this month.

Wheatley will be celebrating with a string of dates kick starting at The Midnight Special next Thursday, and wraps up full circle and back in Sydney at The Metro in early September.

Inspired to write lead single ‘Valerie’ after reading the novel Delinquent Angel about Melbourne Poet, Shelton Lea, Wheatley explains, “It began with an insight into the fractured relationship between Shelton and his adopted mother Valerie – the matriarch of the Darryl Lea chocolate family.” Tasteful (excuse pun) use of acoustic and slide guitar paints a nostalgia picture, but it is Wheatley’s understated lyrics and smooth Australian-tinged tone that so sweetly explores this tragic true-life tale.

The accompanying black & white clip for ‘Valerie’ was filmed and produced in Hollywood, L.A (where Wheatley now lives) by Tahyna Tozzi-MacManus and Rachel Taylor of Go Forth Content (a collective of emerging Australian directors and producers living and working in LA) and stars Jessica McNamee of Packed To The Rafters fame.

The album it’s taken from, Cast of Yesterday, was recorded at Sing Sing studios in Melbourne, produced by Paul McKercher (You Am I, Sarah Blasko, Pete Murray) and mixed by Niko Bolas (Neil Young, Johnny Cash) at Capitol Studios in Hollywood. The album was written about a range of people from Wheatley’s past – friends, heroes and villains and is a dynamic collection of songs that is sure to surprise and delight.

With an alt-folk, indie Australiana and at times country feel, Cast Of Yesterday is packed with memorable melodies and a signature smooth vocals, all the while showcasing Wheatley’s impressive songwriting ability.

TIM WHEATLEY AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES:

Thur 13 Aug
The Midnight Special, Newtown Sydney

Fri 14 Aug
The Vanguard, Sydney

Sun 16 Aug
Central Park, Broadway Sydney

Sun 16 Aug
The Lansdowne Hotel, Broadway Sydney

Thur 20 Aug
Café Del Mar, Sydney

Fri 21 Aug
Illawara Brewery, Wollongong

Sat 22 Aug
Howlin’ Wolf, Wollongong

Sun 23 Aug
The Soda Factory, Sydney

Thur 27 & Fri 28 Aug
Gympie Music Muster, Gympie

Sat 29 Aug
The Triffid, Brisbane

Sun 30 Aug
The Grace Darling, Melbourne

Wed 2 Sep
Café Del Mar, Sydney

Fri 4 Sep
The Metro, Sydney

Tickets and info at timwheatley.net.