Tim Smolens


Main image

U.S. upright and electric bass player and composer from Santa Cruz, California who was born in Los Angeles in 1977.

Before settling into playing Standup and Electric Bass, Tim began his musical journey as a guitarist and songwriter. Tim is also an accomplished Producer and Audio Engineer, and is the central production force behind Estradasphere's elaborate recordings. Largely self taught, Tim learned production by meticulously scrutinizing the works of his recording heroes Brian Wilson and Trey Spruance. His recording catalogue includes more than 10 records that have sold in the tens of thousands worldwide. Tim is also an accomplished composer, playing a key role in Estradasphere's multifaceted compositions.

Playing bass in various acts such as Estradasphere, Secret Chiefs 3, and Fishtank Ensemble, Tim has toured the United States and Canada extensively. In Santa Cruz he has performed with such diverse groups as Shakespeare Santa Cruz, The UCSC theatre arts, The Robin Anderson Big Band, The Mel Wong Dance Company, The Cabrillo College Orchestra, and many others.

Being well versed in the technical side of music production and keyboard programming, Tim got a chance to work with his favorite band from his teenage years, Mr. Bungle, when they enlisted him as Principal Keyboard Programmer to adapt their densely orchestrated record, California, for live performance with 3 keyboards. Furthermore, Tim is a budding gospel vocalist, and has scored movie and game soundtracks. Tim studied jazz composition, big band orchestration, and performance with Ray Brown at Cabrillo College.

ALBUMS


APPEARANCES +


Tim Smolens
The Second Arrangement
2020, 3xFile, MP3, Single, 320, Not On Label (Tim Smolens Self-released)
High Castle Teleorkestra
Ich Bin's & The Days Of Blue Jeans Were Gone
2020, 2x File,
Kronos Quartet
Outer Spaceways Incorporated: Kronos Quartet & Friends Meet Sun Ra
2024, ,
Contemporary Jazz
Secret Chiefs 3
Musica Practica *Geek Pack 3​*​: Book T: Exodus
2021, 59xFile, MP3, VBR, Web Of Mimicry
Dana Countryman
Cabaret of Love
2018, CD, Album, Sterling Swan Records
Traun
The Lilac Moon
2017, 12xFile, FLAC, Album, Not On Label (Traun Self-released)
Traun
Escape From Spa 9
2017, 11xFile, WAV, Album, Not On Label (Traun Self-released)
Traun
Deleted Scenes
2017, 18xFile, FLAC, Album, Not On Label (Traun Self-released)
Secret Chiefs 3
Book Of Souls: Folio A
2013, CD, Album, Web Of Mimicry
Evelyn Evelyn
Evelyn Evelyn
2010, CD, ,
Alternative Rock/Avantgarde/Parody
Group Bombino
Guitars From Agadez Vol. 2
2009
Sunn O)))
Monoliths & Dimensions
2009, CD, ,
Doom Metal/Experimental/Drone
John Zorn - Secret Chiefs 3
Xaphan (Book Of Angels Volume 9)
2008, ,
Free Jazz/Gypsy Jazz/Avantgarde/Experimental/Surf
Amanda Palmer
Who Killed Amanda Palmer
2008, CD, ,
Alternative Rock/Pop Rock/Punk
Secret Chiefs 3
Path Of Most Resistance
2007, CD, Comp, Enh, RM, Web Of Mimicry, ,
Post Rock/Avantgarde/Andalusian Classical/Experimental/IDM/Psychedelic/Downtempo/Romani/Surf
Evelyn Evelyn
Elephant Elephant
2007, 7", Num, Yel + CD, 11 Records,
Kevin Masaya Kmetz*
California Tsugaru Shamisen
2005, CD, Comp, Not On Label
Impaled
Death After Life
2005, CD, ,
Death Metal/Goregrind
Estradasphere
Passion For Life
2004, DVD-V + CD, Web Of Mimicry
Secret Chiefs 3
Book Of Horizons
2004, ,
Folk Rock/Tribal/Death Metal/Avantgarde
Secret Chiefs 3
Book M
2001, CD, ,
Abstract/Experimental