Timal Garnier is a singer-songwriter-rapper. Timal Garnier has been playing the boards of the Capital region and Quebec for a while now. Multi-instrumentalist, his main instrument is the guitar but also bass, drums and keys. 

We had an opportunity to interview Timal Garnier, and here is what he had to say.

1. Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?

Timal Garnier- “I didn’t choose this career path”, music has always been part of my life. I was introduced to music at a young age, my father was a music lover and liked to play guitar and bongos. I was always around artistry like poetry and dance. All those experiences made me realise that I was an artist and needed to express myself in an art form. Being from Haitian background I was surrounded by compa music, salsa and bachata. Pop music like Michael Jackson was present on tv and radio and was a huge influence too. I started playing guitar at 8-year-old, and right away I was composing songs. I had many bands in my teens and evolved in the punk rock scene. This is where I craft my instruments. Learning with Grunge and rap music. After high school, I went to Montreal to study sound design assisted by computers. There, I learned many facets of the industry. But me, I just do music for the love of the art. I’m passionate and I’m trying to transmit a message to denounce and claim some problems of the society.

2. Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started this career?

Timal Garnier- I cherish every moment of the journey; I have a lot of good memories and more to come. But there is one thing that was very interesting to me. 2 years ago, I performed on the main stage in a Big summer festival in Québec. Alongside big names in the industry. The view from the stage was breathtaking. I had the crowd in the front, the river by my side and the sunset in the background. I’ll keep this picture in my mind forever. I invited five local artists to share the stage with me. Giving them time on my set so they can be seen as well. The backstage experience was awesome, meeting and networking with all the people. That was a great experience and I’m grateful for it.

3. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

Timal Garnier- A lot of funny things happened when I started. From dropping my guitar, forgetting the lyrics to not knowing what to do on stage. Or just trusting the wrong people, ending up with funny situations. All mistakes make you learn something. I learned to not take yourself too seriously but at the same time to be prepared, on your guard and to have a backup for every situation. 

4. What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?

Timal Garnier- I’m working on my “Turquoise” 6th album with my producer Quest at Dreamland studios. It will be featuring a lot of artists as usual. At the same time, I’m very excited about an EP I’m doing with an artist called Adrixn. This one will have a different flavor.

5. Who are some of the most interesting people you have interacted with? What was that like? Do you have any stories?

Timal Garnier- I once was approached by a Poland artist named “Angela” to do a collaboration. We did two songs together and a video. All that being in our respective countries. What was the most interesting for me is that the project was trilingual, Poland, English and French.

6. Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?

• Timal Garnier- Keep your circle small and don’t fall into drama that people want to drag you in. keep your energy on your craft. Focus on the work and people that love you for who you are and not for what you can bring them. Be humble and grateful to people. Don’t take anything for granted and keep working even when you gain.

7. You have been blessed with success in a career path that can be challenging. Do you have any words of advice for others who may want to embark on this career path, but seem daunted by the prospect of failure? 

Timal Garnier- Protect your peace of mind at any cost. Meditating is a good way to keep you balanced. Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Its never too late. You can start anything any time. But just know that you have to give in order to have something back. You have to give time, money, sweat and tears. Just know that before so you won’t be disappointed or surprised. You have to embrace failures and switch them in lessons that you can use in the future.

8. Can you share with our readers any self care routines, practices or treatments that you do to help your body, mind or heart to thrive? Kindly share a story or an example for each.

Timal Garnier- I have done push-ups every morning since I was a teenager. The number of push-ups is determined by my age that year. Also, I train 5 days a week. I got a bodyweight routine that doesn’t take more than 30 min. I don’t eat a lot of meat and cut off all the dairy in my diet. I try to spend more energy that I take in.

9. What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.

Timal Garnier- People will try to bring you down. Because they only can see their limitations in you. In the mindset of “if I can’t do it, you can’t do it”. You have to prove people wrong.

Don’t expect from people, so you won’t be disappointed.

Don’t wait for people, don’t let them slow you down.

Don’t trust people, don’t try to please everyone.

10. Can you please give us your favorite  “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life? 

Timal Garnier- “If you believe in yourself, anything is possible”

11. None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

Timal Garnier- Since I started my “TURQUOISE” project, things started to be going to another level. I’m so grateful and thankful to work with the super producer Quest from Dreamlandstudios. We are actually working on our 6th project together and multiple side projects. I have another person that I want to thank is John John. videographer/rapper, he’s part of my team/ formula that brought me to where I am today. He was my videographer before my Turquoise project and he is the branding behind my videos.  I always kept the same team.

12. You are a person of enormous influence. If you could start a movement  that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.

Timal Garnier- I would start a movement of love and tolerance. I know it sounds utopic but I’m really a believer in the power of love. I would like to elevate the minds so people can realize the right way it takes to live in harmony with no fear or evil ways.

13. We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might see this.

Timal Garnier- I Would love to meet Michael Jordan the goat. I was a die hard fan when he was playing till today. I don’t even own one pair of Jordan’s. I was a fan of the game and the discipline that brought him success.  He has always been a big inspiration for the consistency and the work ethic. I would like to know more of his tips that no one knows.

14 How can our readers follow you online?

Timal Garnier- You can follow me at Timal Garnier on Instagram, Spotify, Youtube, Facebook and Tiktok. You guys can also reach me on twitter at TimalOfficial. My albums are available on every streaming platform.