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Canberra Today 27°/29° | Tuesday, March 19, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

From belief to storytelling: Tim Hulsman

MUSICIAN Tim Hulsman will be in town performing at Smiths Alternative this Wednesday, and his life story is just about as riveting as his music.

Tim Hulsman
Tim Hulsman

Hulsman has spent the last 23 years estranged from the man who taught him how to perform for an audience, his father. One of six children raised in a devout Jehovah’s Witness family, his father was a respected elder in the JW community, responsible for counselling and advising the flock and for excommunicating members who were deemed to be straying, or worse – to be unrepentant sinners. Any music other than hymns and religious music was heavily regulated in the Hulsman home.

Hulsman’s uncle was a well-regarded jazz musician, but was well outside the flock.

At the age of 18, after years of argument, Hulsman was ex-communicated from his family and the community and instead sought a career in music, confirming family suspicion of the art form.

Over the past two decades, Hulsman has moved from rock ‘n’ roll to a more recent passion for acoustic music and story-telling, into the folk/blues tradition.

Last week saw the release of his third solo album, “Dead Man’s Garden” (on Only Blues Music) in which he blurs most of the blues, folk, alt-country borders and the narrative comprises stories and snapshots of pivotal moments that have helped form his life.

Tim Hulsman, “Dead Man’s Garden” album concert, Smiths Alternative, Alinga Street Civic, Wednesday, July 23. Bookings to 6247 4459.

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Thank you,

Ian Meikle, editor

Helen Musa

Helen Musa

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