Tim Very, the drummer for Manchester Orchestra, has died. The Atlanta, GA indie rock band announced the news on social media today. No cause of death has been provided. Very was 42.
"The entire Manchester Orchestra family has been devastated by the sudden passing of our brother, Timothy Very," the statement begins. It continues:
The most beloved human being any of us were lucky enough to know in this life. We’ve all been dreading sharing this news as we are all still in absolute disbelief.
Tim was instantly likable and interacted with everyone he met with kindness and warmth. His laugh was infectious and he immediately made people feel invited and encouraged. His humor and energy were the very foundation that held together the entire MO universe. Strangers quickly became friends and friends became family.
He had an undeniable light that was only matched by his dedication and love for the craft that he was clearly put on earth to do. No words can ever do him justice. Please know, if you are someone who loved Tim, he loved you too.
The only thing that Tim loved more than creating music was being with his family. You’d be pressed to find a more joyful dad.
We love you Tim, thank you for loving us. You are a force of positivity that will be a constant presence in the rest of our days.
Timothy Very was born November 22, 1983 and grew up in Pensacola, FL where he performed in church with future Manchester Orchestra bassist Andy Prince and toured with local bands. After a stint with the San Diego, CA rock group Waking Ashland, he replaced Jeremiah Edmond in Manchester Orchestra in 2011 and played on that year's Simple Math, 2014's Cope, 2017's A Black Mile To The Surface, and 2021's The Million Masks Of God. He was the band’s longest serving drummer.
"I guess I would like to describe myself as a songwriter’s drummer," Very told the Drummers On Drumming podcast in 2022. "I’d like to think that after doing this for 20 years or so, whatever it’s been at this point, that I’m bringing something to the table that isn’t just drums and grooves and all that, but it’s understanding what a song should have, or could have in it, to hopefully enhance it... that’s kind of what I’m always sort of circling around and hoping to reach — having an impact on a song that’s just that right thing."
Alongside his bandmates Very contributed to album tracks by Foxing, Chris Staples, and Tom Morello, and outside of playing drums, he launched an interview podcast series in 2019 and helped found the Athens/Atlanta production company Super Canoe the following year. His final performance was at last fall's 15th annual the Stuffing, Manchester Orchestra's Thanksgiving hometown benefit, where they played A Black Mile To The Surface in full.
Manchester Orchestra's Andy Prince has shared this eulogy:
I can’t fit in one instagram paragraph what Tim meant to me. It wouldn’t begin to cover the depth and importance of our time spent together. I am just so grateful for the years I got to be around him. These few pictures don’t even scratch the surface. We were all given such a beautiful gift, and it hurts so much that it’s gone. I will miss him everyday for the rest of my life, and nothing will be the same. It’s really hard to accept that. I have my personal grief, but I also feel the weight of all of us together that have lost him. Tim changed my life. He’s the one that called me and gave me an opportunity to join the band. I didn’t know at that time that I would be spending the core formative years of my life living very closely with him and everyone in the Manchester universe. We traveled the world together and got to do so many unbelievable things. My favorite memories are the in-between times though, just goofing off, or talking until 5am about our lives. We were mostly laughing and making up stupid songs, but we also had so many conversations about the deeper things in life. Tim was a great listener, and gave great advice when I needed it. Over time we have formed an extended family from the years of touring that I love so much. Every one of you mean so much to me. Thanks for all being there, and thank you to everyone out there that has reached out and written things about how Tim has impacted your life. It’s really beautiful. He deserves to be honored. So much energy, talent, heart, and compassion for others. He was an incredible father, friend, musician, a blinding light of positivity in the world, and an absolutely formidable force of joy. I love you so much buddy. I miss you. Thank you for everything ❤️
Last week the band announced a new live LP called Union Chapel (London, England) which will be released Mar. 20 via Loma Vista.
