We recently had the chance to connect with Tim Balajadia and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Tim, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Aww man, this one is vey personal to me. What always makes me lose track of time is performing at my shows. My shows are typically 3 hours long and I truly feel like its about an hour! When I hit the flow state whilst performing, something magical happens. Time and space almost seem non-existent. There is a thing called sense-memory, and when you’ve been performing original music as long as I have, in various locations around the world, you can almost teleport to different places and memories. I love attaining this in every single performance I do and am very thankful each time it happens. I find that if I continue to be authentic and genuine, not “selling out” and being in love with what I bring to my fans or people in attendance, I not only find myself but find the common ground with everything and everyone under the sun.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Tim Balajadia (Ba-la-ha-jah) and I am an original reggae artist from Guam, USA. I am an artist that strives to bring hope, love and unity with conscious lyrics and laid-back island melodies.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
I was 18, just and just graduated high school on Guam and there was a competition going on. It was the first ever Island Music Awards on Guam and I entered. I remember writing the song, “Rise Up” in about 30 mins a couple of days before the show. The song was done in 30 mins! It’s message is one of hope for our Island People and demands really powerful dynamics vocally. Fast forward to the competition, it was a warm evening and a lot of people showed up. I head up on stage completely nervous and started playing my electric blue Strat with nothing but a bit of reverb. At that moment, I felt powerful. I felt the power of songwriting and performing live. Once the last chord struck, there was a brief silence then an complete uproar. I knew, not only that I wanted to do this for the rest of my life but I also knew with this power possess a voice for my Island people and for the voiceless. 20+ years later, I still hold those same values and intention with a more worldwide view. That same exact performance was recorded live and played and was requested everyday one on of Guam’s most popular radio stations. Year’s later, I heard I would have won but I moved to San Francisco the very next day and couldn’t do the media obligations, so I ended up being the runner up. What a blast from the past!
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
A wise man once said, “Pain in mandatory, suffering is optional” and that holds truth in being an original artist, When I was younger in my journey, I had a ton of courage and determination. I didn’t know it at the time, but if I wanted to influence people in a positive light for a long time doing music, struggles were inevitable. From analysis paralysis, to brand pivots, to being green, and everything in between, there are definitely struggles, but this is the very obvious thing to tackle. The struggles were my guiding light to overcome. Once I overcame one, another would show up and over time, it made me stronger and more confident. Success for me lasts a day, maybe two, then it’s on to the next insecurity to overcome. It’s definitely not for everyone, but if you want it bad enough and it’s important to you enough, it’s kind of fun.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
I used to think talent alone was enough to make a difference. Then, I thought talent and hard work would be enough. Now, I think it’s when talent works hard and prepares for opportunity’s not yet present. This is the current vibe I’m on and what I’ve been on for a while now. This is because, I’ve done all of them, and each step brings new challenges. New Levels bring New Devils as they say.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope they see me as a figure that was for the people, someone for the people of my island, and beyond. I know my music has touched many lives around the globe and just hope they remember me as a real person with a dream and lived his dream.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.timbalajadiamusic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timbalajadiamusic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timbalajadiamusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/timbalajadia
Image Credits
Anonymous
