The Tim Smal Show

Tim sits down with Connor Fitzgerald, the drummer and mix engineer for the Berlin-based instrumental outfit Lords of Lounge. Following the May 2026 release of their highly anticipated third album, Lords of Lounge 3, Connor discusses the band's evolution from an accidental hotel lobby gig to a masterclass in minimalistic, lo-fi recording.

• Episode notes:

https://go.timsmal.com/connor

• Support the show:

https://buymeacoffee.com/timsmal

Tim catches up with old friend and collaborator Anton van Schalkwyk, the man behind the new Afrikaans project Skobbejakus. We dive into his debut EP, Eerste Dinge Eerste, discussing the emotional catalyst behind his shift to Afrikaans, the evolution of his 90s rock sound, and why making music without the pressure of a paycheck is the ultimate creative superpower.

• Episode notes:

https://go.timsmal.com/anton

• Support the show:

https://buymeacoffee.com/timsmal

Tim sits down with Hugo Veldsman to discuss the evolution behind his 2025 album, These Fears Are Not Our Fears. Drawing from his classical training at the Stellenbosch Conservatorium and a deep-seated love for Americana, Hugo explains how he transitioned from the quiet folk of his debut to a bold, stadium rock energy.

• Episode notes:

https://go.timsmal.com/hugo

• Support the show:

https://buymeacoffee.com/timsmal

Tim sits down with Ramone Pickover, the powerhouse drummer for Grand Mirage. Ramone shares the story behind their gritty new single, Ill-Gotten Gains, including a look inside the sawdust-filled Welsh lovespoon workshop where they filmed the music video. He also discusses his book, Life in 8 Beats: A Guide to Using Rhythmic Principles for Personal Growth.

• Episode notes:

https://go.timsmal.com/ramone

• Support the show:

https://buymeacoffee.com/timsmal

Tim sits down with veteran songwriter and artist Simon van Gend to discuss his 2025 album, Dream I’m a Bird. After a decade-long hiatus since his last release, Simon reveals how a high-pressure “song-a-week” challenge in 2017 provided the raw material for an album that took nearly eight years to mature.

• Show notes:

https://go.timsmal.com/simonv

• Support the show:

https://buymeacoffee.com/timsmal

Tim sits down with John Battersby, the frontman of Battersby, to peel back the layers of their debut record, Stone Figures. After a decade in the South African indie scene, John discusses his return to his rock-and-roll roots, the profound influence of the South African landscape on his songwriting, and the “brotherhood” that defines his new lineup.

• Show notes:

https://go.timsmal.com/john

• Support the show:

https://buymeacoffee.com/timsmal

Tim sits down with Will Dorey, the multi-instrumentalist and mastermind behind the acclaimed studio project, Skinshape. Known for blending vintage funk, soul, and psychedelic rock, Will takes a deep dive into his latest release, Skinshape x Horus. A collaboration with lifelong friend Ben Bell, this record serves as a love letter to 1960s and 70s Jamaican reggae and dub.

• Show notes:

https://go.timsmal.com/will

• Support the show:

https://buymeacoffee.com/timsmal

Milton Schorr discusses his book, Addict: A Tale of Drugs and Recovery.

• Show notes: go.timsmal.com/milton

Tim sits down with Jonathan Stephen Simons, the frontman of the South African indie/folk trio, to discuss their sophomore album, Time Flows Like Water. Jonathan opens up about the journey from his debut album to this new release, describing the recording process in his Kommetjie home studio and the philosophy of "channeling" lyrics rather than writing them.

• Show notes:

https://go.timsmal.com/jss

• Support the show:

https://buymeacoffee.com/timsmal

Stephen 'Spling' Aspeling discusses his book, The Essence of Dreams.

• Show notes: go.timsmal.com/spling