Meet the Versatile Vintage Bear – Tim Parish

He is a Perth-born guy who started working as a Japanese teacher after he completed a commerce and Japanese degree at university. Like a lot of guys his age, he got married young, and he had some kids before coming out as an older man. He has a naturally deep voice, so it suits voice-over work, and he has done a few paid voice-over jobs for ads and for professional presentations. He has also done MC work for a few events, hosted the Perth Jazz Festival launch a few years ago, he was MC for the Perth Bears Mr Bear Competition 2021 and a few other things. He would like to do more professional voice work, but he would need to find an agent. Singing is his passion, and having learned songs from childhood, he has a vast repertoire of song lyrics stored in his head. This is now a huge advantage, as he doesn’t need to memorise as many lyrics as most singers when constructing a new show. He also started learning about antiques when he was very little and was a bit of a nerd, reading anything he could get his hands on about them when he was younger, which meant he had a really extensive knowledge about antique and vintage objects, which is essential now in his job managing an auction house.

When he first came out, he went to our local Bears club, looking for some connection, and the Bears were so welcoming. Encouraging that they helped him to really feel like he had found a place in the community and gave him a sense of having worth and acceptance he had never felt before. Many of his best friends he met there. He also was on the WA Pride committee as he wanted to give back something after all the good things that connecting with the Bears gave him. Marching with the bears at the Pride Parade the year he came out was one of the most liberating and affirming things he had ever done, and he is very passionate about helping other guys like him find out how much joy there can be by embracing their inner bear.

I was great to interview Tim Parish, who sings upbeat jazz by night, and he is an Antique Auctioneer with a fabulous flair for style by day.

Luka Musicki (L.M.): So, tell us about the jazz scene, and you are a jazz singer. How did you get into it and when was this? What was the motivation? Why do it? How long do you need to practice jazz singing?

Tim Parish (T.P.): I have sung since I was a kid. Luckily my family never objected to me belting out tunes in the shower and most of them were the songs of the 20’s, 30’s and 40’s that I’d heard playing on records or on the piano at my grandparent’s house.  Strangley I got used to public performance through Japanese. My first career was as a Japanese teacher and, believe me, you have to learn to love karaoke or it is a very difficult time being in Japan if you are not comfortable singing in front of other people. I had a sliding doors moment when I got offered a job at a bar in Japan as a lounge singer after a night at a Karaoke bar in Tokyo, but couldn’t take the offer as I was there as a teacher in charge of students whose families might have objected if I simply left them to fend for themselves, so I returned to Australia. I would have had a very different life if I’d said yes to that offer at 27 haha! Now I’m glad I didn’t.

I started singing for charity events and a few private functions and was a regular audience member at the Ellington Jazz Club in Perth Western Australia. I admired one extremely well-respected singer in particular whose shows were always a blend of beautiful jazz vocals and a flair for making the audience laugh and leave with a great feeling of being immersed in joy, which I found really inspiring. I knew my voice was OK but never imagined I would be thought good enough to sing professionally (typical gay background story of low self-esteem and lack of confidence) but one of my friends, who knew the singer, encouraged me to ask if she would take me on as a student. Eventually I got up the courage and asked her after one of her shows and she said yes. I had one lesson with her and, to my utter shock, she instantly invited me to do shows with her. It was a dream come true and since then I have worked with her to put on a number of shows around Perth as well as doing a lot of my own shows as well. My motivation comes from the feeling that I and the band are giving people an evening of happiness. Seeing people smiling, laughing, sometimes even shedding a tear, makes me feel like I am doing something, even for a small moment, that makes people happy and gives them good memories to take away. It keeps me motivated and putting a lot of time into creating new shows including the repertoire, dialogue, costumes and stage elements.

The Jazz scene in Perth is actually surprisingly diverse and rich given how isolated Perth is. There are so many superb musicians here that stay for the lifestyle but could easily make it anywhere, so there is a huge range of high-quality shows available from our own homegrown talent plus a surprising number of visiting artists. I am very lucky to be a part of it.

L.M.: What were your inspirations with jazz and jazz singing?

T.P.: Naturally, I love old musicals, first it was Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers and I was devoted to Doris Day. My next show is specifically Doris Day songs. I thought I was straight to be honest because of how much I  loved some of the leading ladies! Billy Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Chet Baker, Julie London and Peggy Lee were my favorites and I still have a huge collection of Frank Sinatra LPs. I love the storytelling of Trad Jazz and how the music and words evoke feelings in the listener that cover the whole range of emotions. I love finding less well known songs that surprise the audience rather than just stick to the Great American Song Book type of standards.

L.M: I can see that you do some character modelling, including Film Noir workshops /shoots as well, and you look very distinguished, sophisticated and handsome. How did you get into modelling, how do you know what clothing or costumes to wear, the lighting and the poses in the images to build the characters?

T.P.: In my day job, I manage an antique auction house and I’ve always had a passion for antiques and vintage items. I’ve collected a lot of vintage accessories over the years (I have far too many neckties) and a friend who I originally knew in high school became a professional photographer and asked me if I’d do some character modelling for one of his workshops on lighting and portraits. I’ve done a number of modelling gigs since. Film noir shoots with 30’s feel, outdoor shoots playing a ‘country gentleman’, vintage farmer, Edwardian gent etc. I can usually create an outfit to suit the brief and photographers enjoy the vintage objects I bring along like canes, pocket watches, cigarette holders and other unexpected items. Good modelling, I found, is about listening to the instructions of the photographer and paying attention to micro poses and movements so they can get the shots they want. I still find it hard to believe that a big hairy 55-year-old bear can be a model that people would want to pay to photograph! A good friend of mine Albert Koomen who lives in Melbourne has created a number of short films about bears in different settings which have been shown in festivals all over the world and also creates photographic projects involving bears using unique costumes and setting elements which I have been involved in. They were great experiences as they gave me the opportunity to explore a more bear related side and also to be a part of some more body focussed shoots that celebrate typical bear bodies in an innovative and intriguing way. 

L.M.: Why do you wear vintage clothing, and what do you know what to get? Is there a good store for vintage shopping? Where did you get this passion?

T.P.: I think vintage tailoring is better than current off the rack clothing. If you can find vintage items that fit well then you can really create a great outfit that not only compliments your figure (and mine is quite a substantial one) but also gives you a unique look that isn’t about a latest trend. I look for quality fabrics, interesting cuts, complimentary colours and accessories and build an outfit, or just wear what takes my fancy at the moment. I don’t try to look younger, just be happy with who I am and pick clothes I feel comfortable wearing.

L.M.: Other than vintage clothing, it seems like you like vintage shopping and art deco as well? Pure vintage and classic at heart? Would you say that you are a classic or vintage figure?

T.P: I love the Edwardian period and would happily adopt elements of the lifestyle but my job as an antiques auctioneer gives me the opportunity to see and enjoy things from so many periods. I suppose I am really more into electicism and design. If something is beautifully made and represents excellent design you can mix up elements if so many periods and it will still look great. Parisian apartments are typical examples of how you can blend so many objects ancient and modern and it still looks wonderful.

L.M.: It seems like you are a great auctioneer for Donelly Auctions….I like the reel about vintage bears on January 8th 2025. How did you get involved in that reel?

T.P.: We see so many items in our travels visiting people and selecting items for our auctions. It’s amazing what is out there. There was a collection of Japanese hand-carved bears from Hokkaido which we had in that auction. With my background in Japanese, I really appreciated seeing them and as they were also large carvings of big hairy bears I was naturally interested. They all sold well and a lot of them went to different members of the bear community who often visit our auctions or bid online. I do a few rough and ready reels for each auction on Instagram for Donelly Auctions which give people an idea of some of the treasures coming up in each auction. We end up sending items all over Australia and overseas so who knows where some of the bears ended up!

L.M.: How do you keep your beard in great shape? Bear oil, beard balm, bear shampoo, and/or anything else? Any product recommendations?

T.P.: I have a great barber who knows beards and how to cut them (he and his partner are born themselves) I use a beard balm and a good quality shampoo and conditioner. A friend gave me a great soft natural bristle brush that I use to keep the beard shiny and smooth. A bit of oil now and then to keep the skin underneath from getting dry also helps I think.

L.M.: So what was it like growing up queer in Western Australia? Do you live in Fremantle or Perth, and what is great to do in Perth?

T.P.: I have a late coming-out story. I knew I was queer but Perth in the 1980’s was not a great place to come out in. I have found that a lot of guys my age stayed firmly in denial until later in life because of the very negative and often abusive treatment of queer people at that time. Perth was still a relatively small place then. One of my relatives was also the art director of the ‘Grim Reaper’ AIDS campaign which came out when I was 16. He is certainly not anti-gay but as a teenager seeing the impact that ad had on people and hearing so many opinions about the epidemic, I chose to ignore what I knew to be true. I have such admiration and respect for all my friends we are brave enough to come out from the beginning. What we have now is due to their amazing bravery.
Perth is now a completely different place, it’s safe, vibrant and the options for entertainment, great food and things to do are huge. We have so many superb restaurants here, great natural spots for walks, world class golden sand beaches, great nightlife and more. I am so glad to live here now and there is something for everyone. Our sauna is small but good as well.

L.M.: Do you speak any languages? French, right?

T.P.: I speak English, Japanese and enough French to manage when in France and if I don’t understand I can say ‘I’m terribly sorry about my poor French, I’m Australian’ in French and luckily the French usually forgive you as Aussies seem popular there.

L.M.: Have you done any travelling overseas? An have you done jazz singing while travelling overseas?

T.P.: I haven’t performed overseas but I have travelled quite a bit. I love France, had a great trip to Munich for the October Fest last year and the German bears there were so friendly. I got quite addicted to wearing Lederhosen. I’ve been to Japan many times as well as other parts of Asia and spent time in Oxford which was also beautiful.

L.M.: Would you say being a bear has helped or hindered your career? Is your audience primarily bears?

T.P.: The bears in Perth were absolutely pivotal in my coming out journey. If it wasn’t for them I would not be were I am today. The community made me feel welcome and loved and gave me the confidence to do so many of the things I do now. It definitely can be an advantage being a bear in terms of career. In Perth, there is great acceptance of the queer community and most people like the bear scene and the people in it. Being a larger, hairier person is not a disadvantage in here and in fact I think people enjoy the surprise of seeing a mature big bear suddenly singing Doris Day songs at a gig. Bears certainly come along to my shows but the audience is a big mix of people of all genders who are they just to enjoy the show.

L.M.: Is there any advice that you would give someone (like a bear) who is interested in starting in the music industry, like being a jazz singer, any schools for suggestions, people to chat with to get some help or experience, and what is involved?

T.P.: I think it is really valuable to find a vocal coach if you are interested in developing a career and just starting off. Listen to artists and start memorising lyrics for songs. If you are a bear with a baritone voice you will find that, if you are good, there are not a lot like you around and you can find a nich for yourself. People who enjoy Jazz are far less interested in your look than your voice and if you have some beary goodness to share, get some lessons and start looking for chances to perform. If the feedback is great then listen to it and keep going. I found that many singers are actually far more generous than you would expect if you ask them about what to do or where to start. 

L.M.: What are your career goals for the future? 

T.P.: I have my dream job at the moment and I get to choose when and where I sing so I really am not looking for something more than that. I have a very fortunate life. I have thought of doing more modelling professionally and also a few voiceover gigs but I’d need to sign up to an agency and become more focussed. If you know an agent let me know haha!

L.M.: Are there any upcoming gigs that you would like to advise our audience about, especially where to find you to hear your jazz singing? 

T.P.: My next new show is ‘Dude does Doris!’ at the Ellington Jazz Club on June 12th. It’s a brand new show and a part of a bit of a fun sequence after ‘Fella sings Ella!” which I have done a number of times. I’m also really looking forward to a new collaboration with my super talented and supremely beary friend Michael Heap, who was also Mr Bear Perth and Mr Bear Australasia a little while back. We have created 2 shows and it is great singing with him. He has an opera background and me Jazz so it’s a great contrast. We call ourselves ‘Beautiful Beasts’ and our next show ‘Chansons Inattendues’ will be at Lyric Lane Underground in August. If you are interested in finding future gigs then follow Tim Parish Jazz on Facebook or Instagram. Or if you want to see a different more candid side of me then I have a @vintagebearperth insta you might enjoy.

L.M.: Thank you Tim for answering those in-depth questions.

L.M.: Here are some quickfire questions:

• Location: Perth
• Pronouns: He/him
• Relationship status: Partnered
• Favourite Drink: Perrier Jouet Champagne
• What type of guy are you into? Bears appeal naturally but I’m really much more interested in people with great personalities who are kind and genuine
• Favourite Cities/Vacation Spots: Melbourne, St Malo France, Albany Western Australia
• Favourite Hobby or Pastime: Eating out with friends, painting, thrifting
• Idea of a good date? Meeting somewhere quirky and interesting for a drink, chatting and finding out about someone then back home for other more intimate understandings if the mood is right. Possibly dinner after if not exhausted haha.
• What do you look for in a guy? A winning smile, a sense of humour and a quick but not vicious wit. Attention to looking good without being vain a genuine interest in other people and a positive outlook. Adventurous, uninhibited and open-minded in bed. 

LM.: Where can you find yourself? Website, Facebook, Instagram, etc.

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lancelot.link1
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timparishjazz