Meet Tim Ketenjian | Singer, Songwriter, and Pianist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tim Ketenjian and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tim, what habits do you feel play an important role in your life?
Balance – Finding balance in life is important for everyone, but especially for performers. In order to sing well on Friday, I must take care of my body on Tuesday. I need to make time to practice, but I also need time to relax. I want to be comfortable enough with my music so it flows out of me easily; however, I don’t want to overthink it to the point where it loses joy and wonder. The balance of life differs for each person. Find the tools you need to perform well, and the tools you need to rest well. You don’t have to say yes to everything; say yes to things that matter to you.

Curiosity – I love dreaming about what the next record could sound like. I’ll listen to a song and say, “How did they achieve that sound? Whoa – they did a key change in the middle of a verse? I need one of those!” I want to make records that feel as good as my favorite albums. That means being willing to face the unknown. Don’t be afraid to say, “I have an idea. I don’t know how to make it work, I don’t even know who can make it work, but I know it’s a possibility. Which steps can help me move toward it?” Be intrigued by things you hear and see; they will inspire your creativity.

Perseverance – It has been said that being a professional does not mean you never mess up; it means you know how to keep going when you do mess up. This is so true in music and in performance art. Sometimes you’re singing a song and your voice cracks, or you hit the wrong chord. Don’t stop the song because of that. Find the next right note, and keep going. Humanity shining through imperfection is sometimes more relatable than ‘the perfect vocal.’ If you put out a project that you ultimately don’t like, that’s okay. Nobody likes everything they create. Just find the inspiration for the next good thing!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My first love is singing – any time, any place, it brings me joy. When I started taking piano lessons and learning how to improvise, that opened up the possibility of songwriting to me. Those 3 passions together created the desire to be an artist, both in the studio and on stage. My greatest excitement is when I’ve just finished writing a song, and I sing it all the way through for the first time!

My music is unique because it is a mixture of piano-pop, gospel, and a little musical theater. My piano training has a classical bent, but my vocal choices fall somewhere between R&B & poppy theater. I enjoy combining different styles and songs so my albums will have something to offer many people. After a performance last year, someone told me, “I have defined your genre. It is – Disney goes to church!” I kind of like that definition (crazily enough, I even got to sing A Whole New World with Princess Jasmine at UCLA in 2013)! There is a hopeful quality in many Disney songs, and there is a joyful quality in a lot of church music. As a whole, my catalog does combine hope & joy with a healthy dose of realism.

The jump from singing with groups (i.e. church bands, my family, and a cappella) to singing on my own was the beginning of this giant experiment called Tim K Music. What can I possibly offer people musically that will be worth hearing and returning to? What are the gifts God has given me that I should share with people outside of my home? The past 10 years, I’ve been learning how to shape my art – to write things that will resonate with me & others, using melodies that I enjoy singing (and hopefully others enjoy hearing!)

Making solo albums, performing shows, promoting the music – I wouldn’t say it’s easy at all. It’s taken alot of effort on my part, but it feels so worthwhile when people say they’ve connected with a particular lyric or song. Listening back to early recordings or earlier performances, I try to be both gracious and honest with myself. Some things worked really well, and some needed a lot of honing. There are certainly times I’ve said, “Why did I ever sing that phrase like that?” Making music requires both self-critique and self-acceptance. Your older self will not always like your younger self’s choices, but you give that younger self grace. You did the best you could at that age, and you sought to learn from your weaknesses. And who knows? Perhaps the unbridled energy of your first album is exactly what your thirty-something self needs for the fifth album.

I’m proud of my growth from the first album to the fourth, vocally, lyrically, and as a performer. I’m also grateful that I still enjoy singing the songs from the early albums; they are meaningful to me even today. I’ve been so blessed to have people who have cared about my original music these past 10 years, and I hope they’ll tune in for the next record (I’m writing it right now, and I love it!) I have learned that God can use me even when I feel weak, unworthy, or tired. My current motto is “Show Up and Stir Up”. Some days, you may feel like no one is listening, that your efforts are in vain, that there’s no reason for you to continue – but maybe you are exactly what one person needs that day. So go to the gig and sing the song and share the story, because we all need each other. Stir up people to love, to joy, to truth, or even to cry on the days when life feels overwhelming.

If you’ve never heard my music and you’d like to start somewhere, I would say: go to Tim Ketenjian Spotify/Youtube and find “Join the Redeemed,” “Dance Like There’s No One Around,” “Valuable,” and “Signposts of Grace.” Those records will give you a sense of the style, sound, and energy of Tim K Music.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Here are some of my faves:

1. The Hall of Crucifixion-Resurrection in Glendale – Two incredible paintings, showcased in an enormous theater, and
housed in a gorgeous building (Follow this up with dinner at the Americana – I love those fountains.)

2. The Nethercutt Collection in Sylmar – I’m a collector myself, but Mr. Nethercutt went above and beyond. Not only are the
collections stunning, but the rooms he designed for them are equally exciting.

3. The Getty Museum – Beautiful gardens, exhibits, and a great view of LA

4. Republic of Pie in NoHo – Come for the pie, stay to support indie live music

5. Tea N Tea in Northridge – Get Earl Grey Milk Tea with egg pudding or boba! You can’t go wrong!

6. CD Trader on Ventura – Go treasure hunting for music and movies. Your favorite album just might be waiting there for
you!

7. Downtown LA excursion – The Last Bookstore to Grand Central Market to Angels Flight to the Broad Museum, with a
show at the Music Center in the evening.

8. Rodeo Drive – It’s fun to enjoy the grandeur!

9. Pier Burger on the Santa Monica Pier – Enjoying the ocean and a burger all at once? This is a perfect LA experience.

10. Carousel Restaurant in Hollywood – A family favorite. The kebab and boureg are some of my favorite foods of all.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Yes, please! There have been so many people that have poured into me & mentored me over the years. Here are a few I’d like to shout out:

1. My parents – for their love, for introducing me to music, for paying for many years of piano lessons, and for coming to
my shows (even when the parking was terrible and they were the only ones there!)

2, My piano teachers, Deidre and Claudia – for introducing me not just to sheet music, but to chords, which changed my
whole perspective on the piano and provided the tools for me to begin writing songs.

3. My entire extended family – for encouraging me since childhood! I want to give a special shoutout to my siblings and to
my cousin Marina (who produced my very first album and has been a continual supporter of the music over the years).

4. All of my producers, co-writers, engineers, and fellow musicians (both on record & live). I have never made an album all
by myself; there has always been a team working with me, and I am so grateful for their advice, skills, and shared love of
music.

5. The Jung & Gray families from my church, who have encouraged my artistry for years & have opened up their homes to
host backyard shows for me.

Website: https://www.timketenjianmusic.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timkmusic/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timkmusic

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/thketenjian

Other: You can subscribe to my email newsletter at: https://www.timketenjianmusic.com/newsletter

Image Credits
Tauran Woo
Lawrence Yong
Natalie Varozian
Mary Tretter
Sylvia Yan Zhang