Tim Metcalfe

Quick Facts

Summary

Tim Metcalfe is an Australian songwriter, producer and performer best known for his long-running collaboration with Robbie Williams. He co-wrote large parts of albums including Take The Crown and The Heavy Entertainment Show, and is a founding member of Lufthaus, blending pop songwriting with electronic and live performance.

Biography

Early life and musical background

Tim Metcalfe grew up in Australia and began playing music from an early age. He developed his musical identity primarily through guitar-based music, growing up on rock, pop punk and alternative bands. His formative influences included guitar-driven artists and live band culture rather than electronic or dance music.

During his school years, Metcalfe met Flynn Francis at a specialist music school. The two formed a close friendship and creative partnership that would continue into adulthood. As teenagers and young adults, Metcalfe played in multiple bands, most notably Undercolours, focusing on songwriting and live performance.

Band work and early songwriting

Before entering the mainstream pop world, Metcalfe’s creative focus was centred on writing and performing original band material. Undercolours operated as a traditional live band, and many early songs developed during this period would later inform his songwriting approach.

Metcalfe and Francis were avid concertgoers in their youth, regularly attending major tours and developing a strong understanding of live performance dynamics. This grounding in audience response would later influence Metcalfe’s writing for large-scale shows.

Move to Los Angeles

In his early twenties, Metcalfe relocated between Australia and Los Angeles to pursue songwriting and production opportunities. Los Angeles represented the centre of the international pop industry and offered greater access to studios, collaborators and publishing networks.

During this period, Metcalfe undertook internships and entry-level studio work, building industry experience while continuing to write original material.

Meeting Robbie Williams

Metcalfe’s introduction to Robbie Williams came through a personal connection rather than a formal industry route. After Williams heard early demos written by Metcalfe and Francis, he began communicating with them by email and recording vocals over their tracks.

Their first in-person meeting took place in Los Angeles, where Metcalfe played Williams a collection of songs. The creative chemistry was immediate, leading to an extended writing period at Williams’ home.

Take The Crown era

Metcalfe was a central contributor to the writing of Take The Crown. A significant portion of the album was written in a short, highly focused period, with Metcalfe working closely with Williams in an informal, collaborative environment.

During this time, Metcalfe co-wrote songs including Be a Boy, Gospel and Not Like the Others. The sessions were characterised by speed, instinct and live musical interaction rather than structured pop writing formulas.

The success of the album established Metcalfe as a trusted creative partner and marked the beginning of a long-term working relationship.

Continued collaboration with Robbie Williams

Following Take The Crown, Metcalfe continued to write extensively with Williams across multiple projects. His credits include material from Heavy Entertainment Show, The Christmas Present and the Under the Radar releases.

Songs associated with Metcalfe often explore more introspective or unconventional themes, and several have become fan favourites despite not being released as singles.

Metcalfe has also appeared live with Williams, performing songs he co-wrote during tours and special performances.

Lufthaus

Lufthaus emerged from Metcalfe’s desire to explore electronic music outside the constraints of traditional pop songwriting. Alongside Flynn Francis, he began developing electronic tracks that prioritised atmosphere, rhythm and mood.

When Robbie Williams expressed interest in participating, the project evolved into a trio. Lufthaus allowed Metcalfe to merge electronic production with live performance, while removing the commercial pressures associated with Williams’ solo releases.

Within Lufthaus, Metcalfe acts as a songwriter, producer and live performer. The project has released multiple tracks and albums, with additional material recorded for future releases.

Live performance

Metcalfe has performed live as part of Lufthaus in venues ranging from clubs to stadiums, supporting Robbie Williams on tour and headlining standalone electronic shows.

He has described live performance as a key motivation, often valuing the reaction of audiences to songs in concert over traditional chart success.

Credits & Contributions (32)