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Tattoo Talk: The Bedside Morale’s Tim Kramer on Fave Styles & Spontaneous Ink Sessions

The Bedside Morale frontman Tim Kramer talks about his favourite styles, tattoo challenges, and spur-of-the-moment tattoo sessions.

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The Bedside Morale
The Bedside Morale

After releasing a string of successful singles throughout 2023, Bristol indie-rock four-piece The Bedside Morale returned earlier this Summer with their debut EP Still Life on July 26th, 2024.

Having been making music together since 2014, the group bonded over their love of all kinds of music. Their journey since those early days has seen the group develop into a very close-knit unit, realizing exactly who they were and how they fit together. Close to a decade of life experiences and musical adventures has resulted in The Bedside Morale, sincere rock music without limits.

Away from creating music with his bandmates, vocalist Tim Kazer loves getting inked, so, for our latest Tattoo Talk episode, we sat down with the frontman to talk about his ink, his favourite styles and how he is prone to a spontaneous tattoo session.

What style of tattoo do you feel closest to? What drew you to it?

Tim Kazer: “I think creatively, people shouldn’t feel like they’re stuck in a box that they have to stick to. Previously it’s been more so neo-traditional from local artists, now it’s a real range but I fall in love with an artist’s individual style and have faith that it will work with my other tattoos.”

What’s the most challenging thing about tattooing/getting tattooed?

“It’s always that last hour. Then that last 10 minutes. I think it becomes less about dealing with the pain and more about dealing with your fight or flight response. It’s like impatience times 10, every fibre of your being wanting to say enough is enough but knowing you’re almost across the finish line.”

The Bedside Morale Tattoo Talk Photo

The Bedside Morale Tattoo Talk Photo

Who are some of your favourite artists?

“There are so many who I’m still hoping to get a tattoo from. My partner and I want to go on a tattoo tour of europe. Some of my favourites are @neothehead, @lozkeystone, @jazz.tatau, @servadio_ and @mikeycooktattoo.”

What advice do you have for anyone looking to tattoo or get tattooed?

“I think like any creative process don’t go in with a perfect idea of what you think the outcome will be. Find someone whose art you love and then work with them. Find the perfect placement and size together and be excited about it. Then it’s just down to basics. Eat before, have something sugary and something filling. No caffeine!!! Also, don’t overthink it, so many times this gets rid of the joy and excitement of it all, if you go to a good artist and have faith in them, it will all work out.”

What’s your greatest passion besides tattoos?

“Writing songs and telling stories with music. I think it’s what makes me happiest and what makes me, me. I get obsessive about the whole process of writing and recording songs, about the minutia of how words feel and tiny sounds that just bring a song to life. It’s my greatest passion, its creation and birth and death and gives me a centre from which to orient myself.”

What would be the most surprising thing people who have never been tattooed might learn about your tattoos?

“I guess how little thought can go into getting one. I’ve had tattoos where I’ve shown up, found a flash I like and got it there and then. The salmon on my arm was because I had time left at an appointment. I think it’s like music, I just crave the creativity. Also it turns out it’s alright if you’re bad with needles. I’m awful with them.”

The Bedside Morale Tattoo Talk Photo

The Bedside Morale Tattoo Talk Photo

Any shops or artists you want to give a shout-out?

“I was fortunate enough to get tattooed at @come_to_chrch recently. They had actual communion wafers there and everyone was lovely. Really cool place with a wonderful atmosphere. Also @sixtyink because they do cool shows and I would very much like to play there.”

What motivates you to create? What inspires you?

“Seeing people go through life. I’m a sucker for romanticising trying. I love artists who write songs to tell stories about people’s lives or create art from things that you wouldn’t necessarily expect. I’m a sucker for a chair tattoo. But, yeah, I think life and the down to the earth reality of it all is what inspires me most.”

Do you have a crazy, weird or super-memorable tattoo experience you’d care to share?

“This was when I was in a previous band but we played Attitude Fest in Bristol. We got there for the beginning to try and really get a feel for the whole thing. There’s a tattoo place just around the corner called Glitch who had a sign saying they accept walk-ins. So, around midday, a couple of us went and got a tattoo. It was my first from nic.n.poke, a little stick and poke vase and I love it.”

The Bedside Morale Tattoo Talk Photo

The Bedside Morale Tattoo Talk Photo

Do you feel more people these days are seeking custom, unique created art compared to using, say, flash art from books and web/social media?

“I think it really depends on how you approach it. But from an outsider’s perspective I think the trend is away from custom designs. I think people are finally seeing tattooing for what it is, artists sharing their art. I think for years flash books were seen as, I don’t know, unimaginative? Or cheap? Don’t get me wrong this could just be the echo chamber I’ve wriggled my way into but I see a lot more artists saying I would love to tattoo this piece I’ve designed and a lot less ‘I’ve drawn this picture can you tattoo it on me exactly as it is.’”

For more information on The Bedside Morale, head over to their socials here.

I have an unhealthy obsession with bad horror movies, the song Wanted Dead Or Alive and crap British game shows. I do this not because of the sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll lifestyle it affords me but more because it gives me an excuse to listen to bands that sound like hippos mating.

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