Guy is playing at Dux de Lux as part of a 15-date tour to promote the first single, Coming Up, from his third album, Big World, anticipated for release in June.
The tour is New Zealand's last chance to see the troubadour for some time as he embarks on a tour of Australia and Europe later this year.
The Melbourne turned Auckland-based artist gave Bic Runga his demo tape backstage after one of her gigs in 2002, which led to the chanteuse producing, playing and singing on Guy's debut album, Blazey.
He supported Runga on her 25-date Acoustic Churches tour that year and went on to tour with Miriam Clancy, Paul McLaney, Age Pryor, Steve Abel and Jimmy Webb then launched his own 33-date solo tour in 2006.
Guy teamed up with pals Anika Moa on vocals/bass, Anna Coddington on drums and Madeleine Sami on backing vocals/percussion to form the Tutaes and toured in late 2007.
While somewhere on the road between Picton and Kaikoura at the start of his tour, Tim told the Queenstown Times why the resort needs more hotels, on-hold phone music and what it means to fly.
QT: What did you have for lunch today?
TG: I had a carrot and sultanas, it's good touring food, easy from the supermarket. Once junk food starts on a tour, it doesn't stop, so I prolong it for as long as possible.
QT: What is your favourite food?
TG: I love bananas with peanut butter. It's my backseat snack.
QT: What is your favourite spot in Queenstown?
TG: My favourite spot in Queenstown is the hotel rooms. I love hotel rooms. It's a permanent holiday feeling inside them. There's excitement plus in there!
QT: Queenstown needs more . . .
TG: Hotels.
QT: Queenstown needs less . . .
TG:Summers.
QT: Who are your role models? TG: My role models are anyone who is doing what they love. It's bloody inspiring and it keeps me moving.
QT: What was the latest CD you bought?
TG: The last CD I bought was Beck's Modern Times. It's fantastic. It was produced by himself and Dangermouse and it really is fantastic music.
QT: And the latest DVD?
TG: I just bought Birdy, a Nicolas Cage film from when he was young, about a weird dude who loves birds and becomes one actually. It's pretty awkward!
QT: What is your favourite way to relax?
TG: I watch movies in my spare time, I see heaps of movies.
QT: What winds you up?
TG: Waiting on the phone, but I always get to hear Dave Dobbyn, Crowded House or Bic Runga while waiting, so it's not too bad.
QT: What cracks you up?
TG: My dad makes me laugh. We have got a special code that we use when no-one else is around, its pretty great. The language is nuts and everything ends with a high pitched "whoah".
QT: What are you reading at the moment?
TG: I am reading a Hank Williams biography. And also a book written in 1958 called Don't Eat The Daisies. It's got good humorous illustrations.
QT: Do you have a favourite quote you live by?
TG: I like the word "dreaming".
QT: If you could do anything, what would it be?
TG: Of course it would be fly. The best thing, the greatest feeling. It's pretty lamo to say, hey? But when I fly, I fly like I am swimming, and it takes a few false starts to get up, but once I am off, I am everywhere.
Tim Guy, Dux de Lux, Sunday, 7pm, free entry.
