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Today, Detroit, Michigan-based indie singer-songwriter Ronny Tibbs shares the raw, emotionally-charged track and Clue-inspired official video "Imagine My Eyes" out now. Tibbs' haunting, intricate EP Shorthand, is due out October 29 and available for pre-order now. Found somewhere between a mystery and a memory, the track reflects on an emotionally agonizing, tumultuous time period for the singer.
"Imagine My Eyes," out today, recalls a difficult moment in Tibbs' life–one where a close relationship imploded before him. Lyrically, the process took time–Tibbs explains, "I wanted the words to encapsulate the raw pain and nostalgia of seeing a connection between two people destined for happiness. There were a few lines that we reworked quite a few times to help meld the tone of the song."
Sonically, the instrumentation masterfully transports the listener inside the broken heart of the artist. The song's melodic and unfolding nature complements the lyrics and resulted from the band's initial approach of layering many instruments, only to strip away later anything that didn't power the track forward. The fiddle and steel guitar, two pivotal instruments heard on the tune, play crucial roles in conveying the song's emotional weight. Their fretless expressiveness enhances the track's melancholic and nostalgic feel, drawing the listener deeper into the emotional journey of the song.
The track's accompanying video was inspired by the classic film, Clue, set in a historic 7,000 square-foot mansion in Detroit–only available for use after Tibbs called several realtors in the area looking for a shoot location and connected with a lone elderly lady. Joined by collaborator and friend Nico Poalillo, the pair crafted a story complete with the familiar cast of characters.
Watch "Imagine My Eyes" (Official Video)
Little needed to be added to set the scene–Tibbs says, "The house's appearance in the video is exactly how it looked in real life—we didn't need to bring in any extra art or props. After the shoot, I asked the owner why she agreed to let 30 strangers overtake her house for three days and film a music video for 12 hours daily. She explained that her son had always wanted to be a screenwriter and had written a few movies, so she was empathetic to our cause."
Last month, Tibbs released "Too Late," a track ten years in the making–one of his oldest songs that is finally seeing the light of day. Throughout the track, Tibbs grapples with the idea that not everything happens quickly, despite what society has become; good things often take time, care, and attention. Tibbs says the track is "deeply rooted in my reflections on how long certain things in life take to develop—always much longer than we'd like, especially in this day and age where everything is instantaneous. In 2024, we get answers immediately and same-day results, but I believe good things take time and work."
Shorthand, the smooth, stirring forthcoming EP by Ronny Tibbs, meets the musician where he is today with its rich, masterful instrumentation, soaring vocals, and sincere lyricism. A labor of love created in life's in-between moments, away from the grind of everyday life, where the band could exist in a sacred, creative space. The project allowed the group to experiment freely, unbound to any expectations. On the EP's purpose and the necessary refuge it became, Tibbs says they aimed to "carve out time from life's obligations to manifest the songs that had been haunting our consciousness, trapped in our minds with no outlet for far too long. It was time to break free and make time for creativity." Another purpose of this EP, Tibbs adds, "was to embark on a project with friends, with the delightful ulterior motive of spending quality time together, defying life's oppressive demands, and making room for memories."
The previously shared "Love is (Just) a Cruel Game" blends a twangy, cinematic feel and the grandiosity one might find in a Bond theme. The tone is dramatic and lush, with rich instrumentation and powerful horn sections that strike a balance between haunting and sarcastic—explaining how the track came about naturally and the process of recording it, Tibbs says, "'Love Is (Just) A Cruel Game'" was one of those lightning-in-a-bottle moments for me. The song came together incredibly quickly, with all the parts pulling together almost effortlessly."
Equipped with a distinctive Midwestern charm and unbound to any particular genre, Ronny Tibbs has carved his authentic path since high school and signed a record deal with Island Records UK at just 19 with his former rock quartet, The Satin Peaches, who toured extensively and electrified stages at festivals like Lollapalooza and Leeds. Tibbs broke away from that when 2016's 33 with The 305's arrived. In 2018, Pop Matters premiered the fan-favorite single "30-Year-Old Boy" and wrote it opens with "chamber pop piano lead and a sweeping string section enveloping Tibbs' high-end crooning. At the cusp of the refrain's second appearance, the instrumental swell escalates with some crashing drums and the strings' growing grandeur."
On the singer's ability to blend genres, Click On Detroit wrote, "Combining the beach-pop, doo-wop sound with meaningful and personal lyrics, Metro Detroit's Ronny Tibbs creates feel good music with tons of heart." In 2019, Tibbs shared his sophomore album Lone Fry, and now five years later, Tibbs looks to expand on his heartfelt, expansive sonic universe, leading with honesty and filled with meaning.
With the raw, fiddle-driven "Imagine My Eyes," out now, Ronny Tibbs surrenders to heartbreak over emotive instrumentation and introspective lyricism. The delicate, unrestrained EP Shorthand is due out October 29 and is available for pre-order now. Connect with the rising singer-songwriter on Instagram and YouTube , and stay tuned for much more.
Watch "Too Late" (Official Music Video) | Listen: "Too Late"
Watch "Love Is (Just) A Cruel Game" (Official Music Video) | Listen
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