Tucker Pillsbury, known to fans as Role Model, is redefining what it means to be a musician in today’s music landscape. Although he acknowledges that he creates pop music, the label “pop star” doesn’t sit well with him. His new album, Chuck Timely & The Hourglass, highlights his discomfort with traditional categorization, blending influences from Fleetwood Mac to Toby Keith while navigating the complexities of musical identity.
In a recent in-depth interview with Rolling Stone, Pillsbury opened up about various topics, including an unexpected influence from Madonna, the nuances of his relationship with actress Dakota Johnson, and his trepidations about acting alongside Natalie Portman.
“The box people try to put you in is ‘pop star,’ and it seems like that’s not necessarily the box you wanna be in,” Pillsbury stated. While he enjoys pop music, he’s wary of its traditional connotations. He elaborated: “As soon as you say that, you’re thrown into this list of names… all of a sudden there’s this debate of who’s the pop star?” For Pillsbury, the race for pop stardom is not an enticing prospect.
He humorously added, “It’s the shiny outfits for me — and the background dancers.” When discussing his influences, he nodded to Heartland rock, mentioning icons like John Mellencamp and Bruce Springsteen as significant figures in shaping his musical direction. “Those are the heroes,” he remarked, hinting at a potential revival of the Heartland rock genre.
Pillsbury’s music has even been dubbed “lake-pop” by his team, a reflection of the Americana vibes he infuses into his sound. He explained, “There are pieces of the early 2000s… and that lake Americana country…sonically, I love that feeling.”
Yet, he makes it clear that he’s not interested in adopting a typical country persona. “I’m not sure I’m feeling that,” he said, distancing himself from the tendency of others to draw on similar influences in the country realm. Although he found acceptance within the country music community, he emphasized the importance of not being boxed into that label.
As he creates new music, Pillsbury embraces experimentation and intentionally avoids being pinned down to a strict genre, stating: “Yes, that scares me, but it’s also a really fun thing to challenge yourself with in the studio.” Collaborating with producers Mason Stoops and Taylor Mackall, he aims to merge beloved influences while keeping his music unique.
In discussing the evolving nature of pop music, Pillsbury acknowledged the impact of TikTok, noting that while he aims for catchy hooks, “I don’t think any of us do” create with the platform in mind. He emphasized a natural flow in the studio, saying that planning for virality takes away from the creative essence. Examples like the spontaneous response to his song “Sally” were unplanned yet effective.
Now, as he embarks on new performances, Pillsbury has left behind certain gimmicks to focus on what matters. Reflecting, he said, “If I didn’t believe in this album, Chuck, then I probably would’ve kept doing the Sally bit.”
The album’s overarching themes showcase a journey of self-discovery, touching on personal struggles and relationships. “Two years is a long time,” he said when discussing the emotional depth underlining many tracks. He touches on vulnerabilities and reflections of his personal life in songs like “Song Is All You Get,” emphasizing the value of fleeting moments.
When asked about surprising influences in his work, Pillsbury brought up Madonna’s influence on the album’s sound, particularly in implementing danceable beats without relying on synths. “How do we get this danceability without the synths?” he pondered, challenging himself creatively in blending acoustic elements with vintage grooves.
He also candidly shared how Dakota Johnson’s involvement on “Love I You” was a blend of artistic and personal choices, admitting, “It made the song really special to me.”
Amidst music, Pillsbury is also venturing into acting, having filmed a role in the upcoming movie Good Sex, where he faced his share of nerves, particularly on his first day acting alongside Natalie Portman. “I hadn’t been nervous like that in a very long time,” he recalled, emphasizing the importance of that experience in building his confidence.
As he continues to craft his narrative in both music and acting, Pillsbury remains focused on authenticity and personal growth. With his growing fame and the release of Chuck Timely & The Hourglass, role model or not, he’s firmly establishing his presence in the music scene without conforming to pre-set labels.
