Up Close with Tim O'Keefe

Up Close with Tim O'Keefe

The monicker tfo stands typographically in for Tim O'Keefe, the Providence electronic music guru who is not only a standout on the local music scene, but also one of the founding brains behind IndieArts Fest, which just wrapped up in Providence last month. O'Keefe has just released Grand Strategy I EP, the first in a series of Grand Strategy releases scheduled for release in 2010-2011. Each installment will feature three to four original tracks combined with remixes by other artists.  

The songs of Grand Strategy I combine intricately programmed beats, beautifully sculpted synths, meticulously performed and arranged instrumentation, and evocative vocal melodies, all of which are trademarks of O'Keefe's approach. GoLocal caught up with O'Keefe (an occasional contributor to the Arts coverage) between projects.

What is the overall mission of Grand Strategy?

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I've been working on a large body of material over the past few years, maybe more than a few. During this time I've been influenced by a variety of new music I was exposed to while developing the Grand Strategy Series. These new influences were integrated with a variety of my past musical influences, and have shaped tfo's modern sound. My live performance and studio collaborations with Matt Everett and Ryan Rooney (both who have contributed to the Grand Strategy songs) has also shaped tfo's sound. We all had diverse musical backgrounds, so working with them expanded my musical horizons.

With the release of this work, I've also launched the www.tfomusic.com blog, where listeners can go to get an in-depth breakdown of the compositional and production process for each song. Over the years I would have people visit my studio and give them a preview of how I work. They were often surprised to see what was involved, and how many different layers make up a finished song. This inspired me to create the blog so that people could get a real sense of the craft and evolution of the song writing. 

How did it feel to be putting down music to remain the same (as in being on EPs) as opposed to mixing live music at events?

I love the studio production process. The studio becomes an instrument, a compositional tool. In that environment I am given the opportunity to spend hours on different parts of a song, or the characteristic of a particular sound within a track. In some ways it is a different kind of creative expression than live performance, but the two complement and inform one another.

How would you characterize the PVD music scene currently? What role do you play in it?

I really like how the PVD music scene has developed over the past decade.  I think it has become more diverse, and Providence is being defined by a variety of music styles instead of very specific sounds.  I also like that electronic music or music with electronic components has become more prominent in the PVD music scene. I'm excited to see how it continues to develop.

I play a few different roles in the local scene. They include running a local digital record label, Cozy Music; DJing regularly, including at the Indie-Dance Party, which I started with Gregor Mittersinker; Performing with Umberto Crenca, Cliff Wood, and Bryan Minto as a member of the Cozy Collective; and curating/coordinating the IndieArts Fest. I also plan to put together a live show for tfo this year, as more of the Grand Strategy Series is released.