Mates of the Bale: Tim Blackwell
Co-host of Nova’s Kate, Tim and Marty drive time show, as well as being a regular on Today Extra and Getaway, Tim Blackwell is a busy man. Here he talks to us about the art of conversation, travelling light, surrounding yourself with good people and the importance of not being a wanker.
MJB: Tim, we were talking earlier about the art of conversation. You’re a man that has made a career out of being a great conversationalist – what’s there to it?
TB: It’s all about chemistry. When it comes to our radio show we’ve been working together for five years and are good mates. We don’t write anything. We don’t have any boom tish moments. I mean, Kate and I aren’t professionally funny like Marty is, so we help each other, we make each other… I don’t want to say look good, but we lift each other up. There are also three of us (on the show). I always find it harder with two people. It’s like you’re on a date… there’s going to be an awkward silence, no matter how close you are with that person. Two people is sometimes a tough ask, but three people definitely makes for a more fun conversation.
MJB: What about when you’re outside of the studio? It could be Saturday night and you’re at the pub. How do you find rapport with someone you don’t know and keep the flow of conversation moving?
TB: Well, if we’re at a pub there’s clearly alcohol involved! Ha… No, I think the pub is very different. It’s a different setting. You haven’t got pressures, you haven’t got time constraints and you’re generally with people you like. So, chemistry is probably not an issue. I mean, dating might be a different thing. I luckily haven’t had a date for a long time because I haven’t needed to, so I dare say that would be much more challenging.
MJB: Is there a conservational fall-back plan?
TB: The comedian Wil Anderson told me this when I started: if you know three things about everything, you’ll appear well-rounded, well-read and an expert. So, even if you’re not into footy, find out three things about footy. Even if you’re not into restaurants, find out three things about restaurants. Or books. Whatever… three things about most things and you’ll appear knowledgeable and well-rounded. I think that is a good tip that has served me well.
MJB: You’ve got the radio show, of course, as well as weekly spots on Today Extra. You also work as a presenter on Getaway, which involves a lot of travel. Any tips on travel you can pass on?
TB: Yes, don’t sit next to the people you’re travelling with on the plane. The plane is your time. Sit separately and watch the movies you like, have as many glasses of wine as you like… don’t feel judged by your travel companion, especially if you’re travelling with someone you have to work with on the other side. They might have made their mind up about you an hour into the flight because of the movie you chose or the fact that you had maybe one too many drinks. I also pack pretty light. I’m pretty good with that. The one travel hack – I hate using the word hack – but the one travel hack that has served me well is take a power board, so that way you need to just take one travel adapter with you.
MJB: We’ve got a bit of a jazz theme running through our Autumn 18 collection – what does the music inside of you sound like?
TB: I feel I walk fast and probably don’t take my time as much as I should, so I’d say it’s a Strokes song being played inside me constantly. But I think that’s a good thing. I’m not trying to fight that.
MJB: Last question, and one important to us given we’re a ‘gentleman’s clothier’. What are the characteristics of a gentleman?
TB: Don’t be a wanker. I think if you make sure you’re not a wanker, then everything else should fall in place pretty nicely. And maybe surround yourself with good people, and surround yourself with people not necessarily in the same industry as you. I mean, work can turn into life pretty quick and you want to have a nice balance. That’s why I’ve been so lucky having children – it just throws you straight down to earth as soon as you walk through that door, no matter who you’ve hung out with that day. So, it’s surrounding yourself with good people and not being a wanker.
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