Andy Timmons Band is set to release their eighth album, Theme From A Perfect World, via their own custom label, Timstone Records, on September 30th. Co-produced by virtuoso guitarist Timmons and his longtime bassist Mike Daane, Theme From A Perfect World features 10 all-new tracks of melodic guitar instrumentals that Timmons hopes will touch an emotional chord in every listener.

“First and foremost, I’m really proud of these songs,” he says. “Some of them don’t even have a guitar solo per se - which is kind of unusual for an instrumental guitar record, but that underscores the importance of the idea that a good song has to be there right from the start. It has to be something that people identify with and find themselves wanting to listen to over and over.”

Theme From A Perfect World is comprised of 10 toe-tapping and fist-pump-inducing songs that warrant repeat listens, from the driving, rising force of “Ascension” to the crossover pop leanings of “Winterland” and “Sanctuary” to a pair of heartfelt, uplifting elegies, “That Day Came” and “On Your Way, Sweet Soul.”

In addition to Daane on bass, the album also features Rob Avsharian on drums as well as original Andy Timmons Band drummer Mike Marine, who appears on five tracks. “I think we’re just scratching the surface, as far as tapping into the music’s emotional content goes,” the guitarist says of the vibe he and his bandmates strove to achieve collectively on this record. “My playing and musical tastes have changed or matured in some way over the years, and here, we’re trying to be impactful emotionally and certainly melodically.”

Andy Timmons - who’s played with the likes of Danger Danger, Kip Winger, Simon Phillips, and Olivia Newton-John - says he wanted Theme From A Perfect World to be both modern and vintage at the same time. “Overall, Mike and I have always been fans of the classic records of the ’60s and ’70s,” he admits, “and there was an underlying credo of trying to live up to the music we loved and grew up with, both sonically and vibe-wise. That’s been a consistent theme throughout the history of the band. It was always the common thread.”

The more challenges the ace guitarist tackles as he composes new music, the more he learns - and the more he wants to share his findings with his audience, both new and old. “The interesting thing I’m finding about this instrumental music is a lot of the songs are very specifically influenced by life events, be it my life or that of somebody else near me,” Timmons reveals, “but there are some songs that were inspired by just a groove or jamming with the guys in the band.”

Timmons thinks he’s able to better express himself more instrumentally than verbally. “Spoken language is a very finite entity, and there are only so many ways we can express a feeling in that way,” he believes. “Whereas the notes within the music and how they’re presented can sometimes strike people a lot deeper. The cool thing is, it may mean something specific to me, but it can be interpreted in almost any way by each listener as a very personal experience.”

Theme From A Perfect World tracklisting:

“Ascension”
“Winterland”
“Theme From A Perfect World”
“Sanctuary”
“The Next Voice You Hear”
“Lift Us Up (Something Wicked This Way Comes)”
“That Day Came”
“Firenze”
“Welcome Home”
“On Your Way Sweet Soul”

Tour dates (with Travis Larson Band unless indicated otherwise):

October
1 - Dallas, TX - Granada Theater (headlining, with Chris Duarte opening)
5 - Memphis, TN - Rock House Live
6 - Nashville, TN - Douglas Corner Café
7 - Atlanta, GA - AIMM/Atlanta Institute of Music
8 - Charlotte, NC - The Rabbit Hole
9 - Raleigh, NC - The Pour House Music Hall
11 - Charleston, WV - The Empty Glass
12 - Cincinnati, OH - The Mad Frog
13 - Indianapolis, IN - Radio Radio
14 - Detroit, MI - The Token Lounge
15 - Chicago, IL - Reggie’s Live
16 - Columbus, OH - Rhumba Café
18 - Akron, OH - Musica
19 - Buffalo, NY - Nietzche’s
20 - Rochester, NY - The Montage Music Hall
21 - Marlboro, NY - The Falcon
22 - Philadelphia, PA - The Voltage Lounge
23 - New York, NY - Iridium Jazz Club (headlining)
24 - New York, NY - Iridium Jazz Club (headlining)

(Photo - Simone Cecchetti)