Today we’d like to introduce you to Tim Chenault.
Hi Tim, I’m so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, how can you bring our readers up to speed on your story? How did you get to where you are today?
Our story began on December 8, 2019, in our friend’s garage. (Michael Browder of ‘All Is Calm’) Michael was the one who formed the original 6-piece band of the old ‘Kept In Ruins.’ Entering 2020, through trials and tribulations, most of us parted ways during COVID-19, and Dallas Boggs and I continued our goals and passions as musicians to keep moving forward and make a name for ourselves as Dallas. I am the co-founder of this band. In early 2021, we released our first single as a 3-piece band titled, ‘Condescend,’ another single was released later in the year titled, ‘Wasteland’; one of our favorite yet complicated songs to play. ‘Kept In Ruins,’ a self-titled album, was released on December 8, 2022. Check out our material on major streaming platforms and our website! 2023 had its ups and downs in the band, but when you turn away from the negatives, focus on the positives, and work hard for what you want to achieve in your life, you’ll be rewarded; in this case, Kept In Ruins was nominated for “Charleston’s Best Metal Band of the Year of 2023,” and We Won! We performed at Music Farm, and it was one of the best news we’d ever received. I want to award Dallas Boggs, JoAnna Ratcliffe, and Jamie Langley for their perseverance, efforts as musicians, creativity, and patience. I enjoy working with them; we are a solid team! As we’re now in 2024, we plan to up the ante with another heavy album to showcase our talent. Last, I wanted to share how our writing process forms per song. In the band, we usually start with drums, strings, vocals, and full practice. I use MuseScore, a music software where musicians can compose their music, like a digital version of writing sheet music. I’ve been writing music since 2011 and in-band programs in Charleston, such as ‘Moultrie’ and Wando.’ (CCSD Alumni). Using this program allows me to export the composition to MP3, and then I can share it with everyone since we don’t practice daily. We’ve found this very convenient, and we’ll make it big someday! Come to local shows to see how much talent there is around Charleston! “Step up or stand aside. We are kept in ruins.”
Thank you for this opportunity to tell the tale.
-Tim Chenault
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Back then, the band’s struggles consisted of ‘time, effort, drama, and people.’ During our time trying to form this band, restrictions made time impossible. Everyone wants their fair share and wants to be treated equally, of course. Sometimes, when it comes to delegations, everyone needs to be on the same page as you. “It’s my way or the highway.” We don’t follow those standards. Drama is self-explanatory. No one wants it. Band members can only keep if they are willing to make time and effort, which results in them departing from any band.
I appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am currently working in Food and Bev. Outside of work, I’m constantly writing music and marketing on social media, on top of rehearsals and shows, and traveling occasionally. I have a major in Music and Arts, and that’s just something I hold near to me: music.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I define success as creating a goal for yourself, whatever it may be, and constantly working out your pros and cons. You then take your baby steps and keep moving forward. As cliche as it sounds, it is always a mind game. Mind over matter. You’ll fail at some point, but it’s how you recover. Each time you fail, you’ll figure out a solution(s) that’ll make that last failure not happen again and become a habit. Success is a process that takes a lot of work. There are times when you’ll get comfortable, but then something will always break that comfortability, like ‘Supply and Demand.’ You want the best for yourself and your crew/teammates/bandmates/family, or whoever. Once everyone is working the same way you want it to be done with minimal errors, and maybe at some point, they’d want to invest in doing something for themselves, based on what you’ve taught or shown them to me, that’s success. You’re learning to grow and maintain while helping someone else out so they can have the same mindset to be successful.
Pricing:
- Kept In Ruins T-Shirts/$12
- KIR CDs/$10
- Koozies/$3
- KIR Stickers/$2
Contact Info:
- Website: www.keptinruins.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/keptinruins1
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/RuinsInc.5
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/keptinruins1
Image Credits
@joel8x @fallon_the_turtleee
