FANZEYEVIEW
Tobi Interview
©Roger Allen - Fanzeyeview 2011
For those readers who know absolutely nothing about you, can you give us a brief resumé of your career and training so far in the music industry
I have been surrounded by music since the day I was born. Whether it be listening to my Dad playing saxophone, or watching my Mum direct her latest musical theatre production. I started street dancing from the age of two, and cracked my collar bone trying to do a cartwheel off the sofa. I was never a musical theatre fan, but I enjoyed dancing to Justin Timberlake, Usher, Michael and Janet Jackson etc. I found a guitar in my parents' room when I was 11 and tried to teach myself, I then went downstairs and said to my Dad " is this a chord" which really wasn't and sounded horrible. He then taught me a couple of chords and went on to buy me a AXL guitar for my 12th Birthday and have never put the guitar down since. I didn't like singing and was in a band at the time, my mum told me being just a guitarist you will never make it. So when I asked for anew guitar my mum and my dad said if you play Gary Moore's 'Still Got the Blues For You" and sing solo at an open mic night, they would get me a new guitar. So to their surprise I did, and got my guitar.
What have been your major influences so far in the position in the business that you find yourself?
When I first started playing guitar, my influences were people like Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughn. Any guitar I heard that I liked, I would learn. When I was 14, my Dad showed me John Mayer playing live with Clapton at the Crossroads Festival. From then on I was on youtube everyday watching John Mayer. He has heavily influenced my guitar playing, songwriting and singing. As has Robin Thicke, George Benson and JustinTimberlake. All the music I hear and listen to is still an important part of my life.
I see that you have a great team working with you, how much has this helped you develop in songwriting and performing?
Writing with Andy has helped me with my song structures, and really understanding how everything comes together in the studio. It was a great experience working with Andy and being able to bounce ideas of each other was great especially when we got the end product.
I have listened to the cd ‘Spirit In Me’, you seem to have found a rather pleasing mix of pop, soul and blues in this collection of songs. Is this a result of your influences coming through or your way of songwriting naturally coming through? Or a mixture of both ?
I have a lot of influences through all different genres, and when I write songs I never specifically choose agenre, I just write what comes out and sounds good to my ears.
How much of a help has Andy Fraser been in your development as a musician?
It’s been amazing working with Andy, and I know he has a lot more to teach me over these next few years. He gives me direction, as well as a lot of freedom so I can grow and develop as a musician.
I see that you are playing live in support of the cd, are you enjoying playing live?
Yes I’m loving it, playing with a band and listening to my music come together live is one of the best things you can ask for as a musician.
Do you have a band with you ?
No but I have very good friends that are also very good musicians that are playing with me for the gig on the 26th of November. Some of which have been playing with me since I was 13.
I see that you first started at Bull Theatre Barnet and also have this concert planned for 26th November there, it looks like you have come full circle, how excited about this event are you ?
I’m always excited for gigs, but it’s always nice to have a gig where you are comfortable and know the venue so you can relax layback and feel the music.
Is this the first step to perhaps touring UK and Europe eventually ?
A tour is planned for 2012, and I'm so looking forward to it.
You are at the Bull Theatre with Steven Rodgers, that will be some event, also working with Andy Fraser this is becoming some kind of FREE family collaboration going on ?
Yep its a small world!
I really hope your career flourishes as you are a great young talent that doesn’t need the reality television backing, that can only be in your favour. I look forward to the Barnet gig
Thank you very much and thank you for taking the time to ask me some questions :)
I have been surrounded by music since the day I was born. Whether it be listening to my Dad playing saxophone, or watching my Mum direct her latest musical theatre production. I started street dancing from the age of two, and cracked my collar bone trying to do a cartwheel off the sofa. I was never a musical theatre fan, but I enjoyed dancing to Justin Timberlake, Usher, Michael and Janet Jackson etc. I found a guitar in my parents' room when I was 11 and tried to teach myself, I then went downstairs and said to my Dad " is this a chord" which really wasn't and sounded horrible. He then taught me a couple of chords and went on to buy me a AXL guitar for my 12th Birthday and have never put the guitar down since. I didn't like singing and was in a band at the time, my mum told me being just a guitarist you will never make it. So when I asked for anew guitar my mum and my dad said if you play Gary Moore's 'Still Got the Blues For You" and sing solo at an open mic night, they would get me a new guitar. So to their surprise I did, and got my guitar.
What have been your major influences so far in the position in the business that you find yourself?
When I first started playing guitar, my influences were people like Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughn. Any guitar I heard that I liked, I would learn. When I was 14, my Dad showed me John Mayer playing live with Clapton at the Crossroads Festival. From then on I was on youtube everyday watching John Mayer. He has heavily influenced my guitar playing, songwriting and singing. As has Robin Thicke, George Benson and JustinTimberlake. All the music I hear and listen to is still an important part of my life.
I see that you have a great team working with you, how much has this helped you develop in songwriting and performing?
Writing with Andy has helped me with my song structures, and really understanding how everything comes together in the studio. It was a great experience working with Andy and being able to bounce ideas of each other was great especially when we got the end product.
I have listened to the cd ‘Spirit In Me’, you seem to have found a rather pleasing mix of pop, soul and blues in this collection of songs. Is this a result of your influences coming through or your way of songwriting naturally coming through? Or a mixture of both ?
I have a lot of influences through all different genres, and when I write songs I never specifically choose agenre, I just write what comes out and sounds good to my ears.
How much of a help has Andy Fraser been in your development as a musician?
It’s been amazing working with Andy, and I know he has a lot more to teach me over these next few years. He gives me direction, as well as a lot of freedom so I can grow and develop as a musician.
I see that you are playing live in support of the cd, are you enjoying playing live?
Yes I’m loving it, playing with a band and listening to my music come together live is one of the best things you can ask for as a musician.
Do you have a band with you ?
No but I have very good friends that are also very good musicians that are playing with me for the gig on the 26th of November. Some of which have been playing with me since I was 13.
I see that you first started at Bull Theatre Barnet and also have this concert planned for 26th November there, it looks like you have come full circle, how excited about this event are you ?
I’m always excited for gigs, but it’s always nice to have a gig where you are comfortable and know the venue so you can relax layback and feel the music.
Is this the first step to perhaps touring UK and Europe eventually ?
A tour is planned for 2012, and I'm so looking forward to it.
You are at the Bull Theatre with Steven Rodgers, that will be some event, also working with Andy Fraser this is becoming some kind of FREE family collaboration going on ?
Yep its a small world!
I really hope your career flourishes as you are a great young talent that doesn’t need the reality television backing, that can only be in your favour. I look forward to the Barnet gig
Thank you very much and thank you for taking the time to ask me some questions :)
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