Biography
Also recognized for fronting and playing guitar in the wide-ranging West Coast outfit Mother Hips, as well as serving briefly as guitarist and keyboardist in his then-spouse’s outfit Nicki Bluhm & the Gramblers, Tim Bluhm issued solo material that took a more personal turn within the alternative country-rock realm. Following four Mother Hips albums throughout the 1990s, he unveiled his initial solo effort, Land & Sea Chanteys, during 1999. Exhibiting rustic appeal alongside a 1970s singer/songwriter vibe, he put out three additional solo records across the 2000s while sustaining tours and recordings with the band, joining forces with Nicki, and contributing to releases by acts ranging from Little Wings through Jackie Greene and on to Hiss Golden Messenger. After incurring grave injuries during a 2015 speed-flying mishap—the same year his marriage ended—he rejoined Mother Hips for their 2018 effort Chorus. Bluhm then delivered his fifth solo full-length, Sorta Surviving, which leaned into classic country textures, in 2019.
Originating from Torrance, California in 1970, Tim Bluhm attended California State University, Chico at the moment he helped establish Mother Hips alongside guitarist and singer Greg Loiacono, bassist Isaac Parsons, and drummer Mike Wofchuck. Having honed their abilities through cover sets at campus gatherings, the ensemble shifted emphasis toward original songs and progressed into the club scene, cultivating a regional following ahead of their independently issued 1993 debut Back to the Grotto. Co-produced by Bay Area musician Paul Hoaglin, Back to the Grotto positioned the Hips as emerging talents generating genuine excitement, which soon translated into a major-label agreement with Rick Rubin’s American Recordings imprint. A revised edition of their debut, incorporating fresh recordings, reached stores via American in March 1995 and paved the way for the August arrival of their sophomore album Part-Timer Goes Full that same year. Broadening their audience via nationwide tours and slots at the H.O.R.D.E. Festival, the Hips swiftly completed a third album, Shootout, which surfaced in 1996. Despite earning critical praise, their American output failed to achieve expected sales figures, prompting the label to drop them. After relocating from Chico to the Bay Area, Mother Hips experienced their initial roster shift when John Hofer took over drums from Mike Wofchuck. This change aligned with a leaner, roots-oriented country-rock direction showcased on the self-released 1998 album Later Days. Over the ensuing period the group largely confined activities to California with occasional coastal runs. In the midst of those years Bluhm put out his self-produced debut solo album, Land & Sea Chanteys, via Hufa Records in 1999.
Mother Hips resurfaced with the power-pop-leaning Green Hills of Earth at the start of 2001. Bassist Parsons exited in March 2002 and was succeeded by Paul Hoaglin, who had co-produced the band’s earliest two albums. By September, however, Loiacono sought a hiatus as well, and after two performances at San Francisco’s Slim’s in February 2003 the Hips entered an open-ended break. Several months afterward Bluhm partnered with California Recordings to issue The Soft Adventure/Colts, an EP/LP combination drawing on mid-1990s sessions.
During the members’ time apart pursuing separate endeavors, two 2004 documentaries—Stories We Could Tell and This Is the Sound—chronicled Mother Hips’ trajectory to date. The pause proved brief, and late in 2004 the band resumed live appearances. In 2005 they released the Red Tandy EP, whose title cut appeared in the video game Rock Band. That year Bluhm also issued the solo album California Way on Fog City Records, which, unlike earlier outings, spotlighted solely his voice and acoustic guitar.
The Hips’ subsequent full-length, 2007’s Kiss the Crystal Flake, likewise placed two tracks in Rock Band and thereby expanded their reach. Meanwhile Bluhm followed with the more elaborately arranged 2008 release House of Bluhm on Big Sur Recordings. His band then delivered Pacific Dust in 2009. Over the next couple of years bassist Hoaglin grew increasingly unreliable and was dismissed in February 2011. That September the Hips unveiled the archival four-disc box set Days of Sun and Grass to mark their twentieth anniversary. Around the same time Tim and his wife, singer/songwriter Nicki Bluhm, issued the joint album Duets.
By then Mother Hips had already started tracking their eighth album, Behind Beyond, and although Hoaglin had left the group he was invited to finish his contributions, with replacement Scott Thunes—formerly of Frank Zappa and Fear—handling live duties. The album appeared under the band’s own imprint in May 2013. Three months later Nicki Bluhm & the Gramblers unveiled their self-titled full-length debut, blending roots country, R&B, and blues. As an official member Tim produced the record and co-wrote material. The next year a compilation of unreleased tracks and rarities from the Hips’ mid-1990s American Recordings tenure surfaced as Chronicle Man, and in April 2015 Nicki Bluhm & the Gramblers issued Loved Wild Lost. Midway through that year Nicki and Tim announced both a personal and professional separation.
In September 2015 Bluhm endured a severe accident while speed flying, a discipline combining skiing and paragliding. Upon recovery Mother Hips returned to the studio for 2018’s Chorus, their first collection of new songs in five years. Carrying a classic country emphasis, the Tim Bluhm solo album Sorta Surviving arrived on Blue Rose Music in 2019. Produced by Widespread Panic’s Dave Schools, it was tracked with a complete band.
Originating from Torrance, California in 1970, Tim Bluhm attended California State University, Chico at the moment he helped establish Mother Hips alongside guitarist and singer Greg Loiacono, bassist Isaac Parsons, and drummer Mike Wofchuck. Having honed their abilities through cover sets at campus gatherings, the ensemble shifted emphasis toward original songs and progressed into the club scene, cultivating a regional following ahead of their independently issued 1993 debut Back to the Grotto. Co-produced by Bay Area musician Paul Hoaglin, Back to the Grotto positioned the Hips as emerging talents generating genuine excitement, which soon translated into a major-label agreement with Rick Rubin’s American Recordings imprint. A revised edition of their debut, incorporating fresh recordings, reached stores via American in March 1995 and paved the way for the August arrival of their sophomore album Part-Timer Goes Full that same year. Broadening their audience via nationwide tours and slots at the H.O.R.D.E. Festival, the Hips swiftly completed a third album, Shootout, which surfaced in 1996. Despite earning critical praise, their American output failed to achieve expected sales figures, prompting the label to drop them. After relocating from Chico to the Bay Area, Mother Hips experienced their initial roster shift when John Hofer took over drums from Mike Wofchuck. This change aligned with a leaner, roots-oriented country-rock direction showcased on the self-released 1998 album Later Days. Over the ensuing period the group largely confined activities to California with occasional coastal runs. In the midst of those years Bluhm put out his self-produced debut solo album, Land & Sea Chanteys, via Hufa Records in 1999.
Mother Hips resurfaced with the power-pop-leaning Green Hills of Earth at the start of 2001. Bassist Parsons exited in March 2002 and was succeeded by Paul Hoaglin, who had co-produced the band’s earliest two albums. By September, however, Loiacono sought a hiatus as well, and after two performances at San Francisco’s Slim’s in February 2003 the Hips entered an open-ended break. Several months afterward Bluhm partnered with California Recordings to issue The Soft Adventure/Colts, an EP/LP combination drawing on mid-1990s sessions.
During the members’ time apart pursuing separate endeavors, two 2004 documentaries—Stories We Could Tell and This Is the Sound—chronicled Mother Hips’ trajectory to date. The pause proved brief, and late in 2004 the band resumed live appearances. In 2005 they released the Red Tandy EP, whose title cut appeared in the video game Rock Band. That year Bluhm also issued the solo album California Way on Fog City Records, which, unlike earlier outings, spotlighted solely his voice and acoustic guitar.
The Hips’ subsequent full-length, 2007’s Kiss the Crystal Flake, likewise placed two tracks in Rock Band and thereby expanded their reach. Meanwhile Bluhm followed with the more elaborately arranged 2008 release House of Bluhm on Big Sur Recordings. His band then delivered Pacific Dust in 2009. Over the next couple of years bassist Hoaglin grew increasingly unreliable and was dismissed in February 2011. That September the Hips unveiled the archival four-disc box set Days of Sun and Grass to mark their twentieth anniversary. Around the same time Tim and his wife, singer/songwriter Nicki Bluhm, issued the joint album Duets.
By then Mother Hips had already started tracking their eighth album, Behind Beyond, and although Hoaglin had left the group he was invited to finish his contributions, with replacement Scott Thunes—formerly of Frank Zappa and Fear—handling live duties. The album appeared under the band’s own imprint in May 2013. Three months later Nicki Bluhm & the Gramblers unveiled their self-titled full-length debut, blending roots country, R&B, and blues. As an official member Tim produced the record and co-wrote material. The next year a compilation of unreleased tracks and rarities from the Hips’ mid-1990s American Recordings tenure surfaced as Chronicle Man, and in April 2015 Nicki Bluhm & the Gramblers issued Loved Wild Lost. Midway through that year Nicki and Tim announced both a personal and professional separation.
In September 2015 Bluhm endured a severe accident while speed flying, a discipline combining skiing and paragliding. Upon recovery Mother Hips returned to the studio for 2018’s Chorus, their first collection of new songs in five years. Carrying a classic country emphasis, the Tim Bluhm solo album Sorta Surviving arrived on Blue Rose Music in 2019. Produced by Widespread Panic’s Dave Schools, it was tracked with a complete band.
Albums
California Current
2024
Hag Heaven
2021
Gone With The Windshield
2020
Sorta Surviving
2019
Duets
2011
California Way
2005
Singles
Live
