The Music…

Tim “Timber” Masterson has been in and amongst Toronto, Canada’s music scene for as long as he can remember. His earliest memories come from listening to his mother play his family’s 100-year-old Steinway piano, an instrument he still plays to compose his own songs. “Timber” often recalls other strong memories of working out melodies and accompanying vocalists during his days at the high school for performing arts. These early partnerships and the excitement of crafting songs with others have always stayed with him.

Timber moved to Los Angeles early in his career to pursue a career in acting. During the Club Kid era, he also resided in New York City, where he became immersed in a dark, late-night scene. His addictions would catch up with him in later years, though he managed to survive it all and wrote a book about his experiences living on the edge and ultimately recovering. 

Heavens So Dark was Masterson’s first full album, the result of his artistic and imaginative musical journey, which has spanned a lifetime - from playing piano at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood to performing at The Viper Room in Los Angeles, to organizing after-hours warehouse dance parties in Toronto and New York. As a young adult, Timber (a nickname given to him by a high school sweetheart) found himself at the forefront of Toronto's late-night arts scene. This playground became Tim’s launching pad for orchestrating social gatherings and spectacular events for both the literary and music scenes. This era in his life is what inspired Tim to produce his own music. On this new collection, Tim brought in the talented singers Bridget Foley and Cassie Noble, to do backups, known for their searing and fluid vocal stylings, as well as Andrew Affleck and Marc Novoselec, bassists extraordinaire, to deliver a Jaco Pastorius kind of feel, both from the Peterborough region. Drummers Gary Craig and Adam Woodhouse rounded out the recording sessions and helped solidify the solid but silky, soul groove style Masterson has become known for. This year, Timber was hand-picked to perform at a showcase at the famed Dakota Tavern in downtown Toronto, as well as being chosen to host a music show featuring a selection of his back catalogue for 96.9 Humber Radio. “I love interspersing my talents into one; they often intertwine as my hosting party days blur into when I host a music night somewhere, or when my writing work lends itself to the craft of acting that has called to me for so long. I'm not sure what I would do if I weren’t an artist; I don’t have any other marketable skills!”

Timber’s lyrics are heartfelt and personal, revealing a longing that remains continually present throughout his work. Tim has always been drawn to dark and heavy minor nine and suspended chords on the piano. “These days, I'm writing from a very different place —a place of hope, a huge change for which I'm grateful. It's great when the melodies pour out of you, and connect, and resonate from authenticity, ultimately resonating with others. Also, it's enlightening and magical when a muse inspires you, and even when that muse disappears from your life, the spirit always remains.”

Next Up…

A new 14-song collection is being recorded for a Spring 2026 release, plus there’ll be a CD for fans who still buy such things! As well, I’m piecing together a Southwestern Ontario tour with stops in Toronto, Montreal, Prince Edward County, and the Kawartha Lakes. At press time, the compilation is called THE LUSH STATE. A CD release performance is scheduled for Spring 2026 in Picton at The Acoustic Grill. Tim is also piecing together a weekly radio show for 99.3COUNTY FM, entitled Wonderous Words & Progressive Melodies that will feature diverse artists, interviews, innovative musicians, as well as presenting eclectic, thought-provoking music to the evolved community and sophisticated citizens of Prince Edward County and beyond.