A Conversation with Toby Lightman – HuffPost 3.10.15
Mike Ragogna: Toby, you’re about to tour in support of your latest album Every Kind Of People. Now that there’s been a little distance between its release and this tour, how have these songs matured or evolved since they’re recording?
Toby Lightman: I have been playing some of the songs off this new record for a while now, but they never get old to me. These songs in particular resonate daily for me. I think as I get older and more comfortable with how I feel, I am able to relate more to them. I have older songs that I feel that way about too and relive that same emotion or feeling every time I play them, but not all of them. I feel that with every new song that’s on this record.
MR: What was the creative and recording process like?
TL: It was really challenging! It took me a while to figure out who to record with. I had a style in mind, which was a fusing together of where I started in more pop/R&B with the more organic blues that I gravitated towards. It was hard to find the right producer who was hearing that sound in his head. Once I found that producer, all of the musicians that he gathered were totally on board with what I was after musically. I’m really pleased with the way it all turned out…although it took a hot minute.
MR: Which musical acts inspired you when you were young and when did you decide you wanted to make music as your career?
TL: I have to say, I grew up listening to a lot of different types of music. Madonna, Michael Jackson, Fugees, Sheryl Crow, Stevie Wonder. I never had one favorite, I like them all for different reasons. The moment I decided to pursue music was when I finally had the courage to sing in front of an audience. I had been singing in choirs, in large group settings, but hadn’t really sung more than a line or a solo, until my music teacher asked me to audition to sing the solo at my high school graduation. I ended up getting the solo and sang a whole verse of the gospel version of “Bridge over Troubled Water.” That was the first time anyone had heard me, my family, my friends, my schoolmates. I was shocked by their reaction to my voice, that I knew it wasn’t something that I wanted to pursue, it was something that I had to pursue. An interesting lesson to learn after singing in front of almost 1,000 people!
MR: You’ve had many song placements over the years in such high profile TV shows and films as Vampire Diaries, Bones, One Tree Hill, and many others. When you as the artist have major success in that arena as opposed to with your project releases, does that affect how you approach creating music or the energy dedicated to one format over the other?
TL: I try not to let it control the creative process. I think when it first started happening, I would try to write songs that were “placeable.” But over the years, I’ve learned how to fuse the two goals together of having songs that appease my own need for emotional release and songs that can get placed. When I’m writing, I’m always looking for inspiration. Sometimes that will be my own experience, but sometimes I am able to take a brief and put myself in that role and feel what they’re feeling. It’s just another way for me to channel a feeling. But it always ends with a genuine feeling from me.
MR: Which are your favorite Toby Lightman recordings from over the years?
TL: I have to say my favorite songs are usually the ones I’ve written strictly alone. I have co-written quite a bit because sometimes you need a little push. A push for a better lyric or a push just to write in general. But when I’ve sat down alone and was able to channel an emotion, those will always be the songs that I connect with the most. “Everyday,” “Better,” “Bumps in the Road,” “You’re Welcome,” “When You Ran.” These are just a few of the songs that sometimes I have a hard time getting through because they cut a bit deeper. I know it sounds cheesy…
MR: How do your stage appearances differ from how you approach recording? What do you bring to the live format that isn’t captured on recordings?
TL: Being on stage is so different. I love both process’ the same really. But there is nothing like being on stage. It’s so primal. You have no time to overthink, no time to redo mistakes. You have no choice but to lay it all out on the line. When I’m on stage, I take more chances vocally because I want to feel something different. Every time I perform, it’s a new experience. I also am a self-deprecating idiot in between songs to counter the heaviness of the lyrics that I’m singing. And most of the time that’s not to appease my audience, it’s almost more to make me feel comfortable with how much I’m opening up emotionally in front of everyone!
MR: Do you have any favorite venues that you like to perform in?
TL: I LOVE Jammin’ Java in Vienna, Dakota Jazz in Minneapolis, World Cafe in Philly, Eddie’s Attic in Atlanta… There’s a bunch. I like anywhere my fans like to be really!
MR: What advice do you have for new artists?
TL: Get out there. Write songs. Play shows, play open mics. Don’t just try and be famous. I see so many people trying so hard to just be famous and spend no time on making their talent as good as it can be. You can push your way to the top, but if there’s nothing behind the curtain, it ain’t happening. Talent and good music will always come first for me when I’m discovering new music.
MR: What’s coming up beyond the tour?
TL: A cookbook? No, just kidding. Well sort of. I already have plans to put out a bunch of other music and am excited to get started on different projects. But I just shot a video for the song “Your Welcome” and am psyched to release that next!