Toby Corton - Don't Blame Me (EP) + 10 Questions
Charismatic queerative Toby Corton gets personal with the release of his soul-tinged debut EP ‘Don’tBlame Me’, out 28th April 2023 via Think Twice Records, an arm of Lastman Music Group.
Opening with Roll With It; a refreshing mix of retro and neo-soul influences, the listener is immediately welcomed into Toby’s wonderful world of soul-tinged splendour and frank, queer storytelling. Kill YourDarlings showcases Toby’s unique ability to pen highly relatable lyrics that are complimented by jazz-infused melodies and velvet-like vocals. Third single All These Little Things features rising London rapper Life and Nick Walters (Riot Jazz) and Kieran Mcleod on the bodacious brass section, allowing Toby’s honeyed vocal to flourish amongst an energetically infectious arrangement. Closing with the stunning piano ballad Put It Down, Toby is at his most vulnerable. Subtle strings compliment Toby’s distinctively cockney-tinged vocal style, whilst enchanting harmonies create a sound that will instantly sooth the soul.
Talking about the EP, Toby elaborates, “It was a project I was working on over lockdown and much like everyone else, I was quite introspective at that time. I was probably drinking too many midday margaritas and smoking a bit too much weed and I was thinking about why I was doing it and coming to the conclusion of ‘fuck it, who knows what will happen, I might as well enjoy myself’. This project also marks an evolution into the next musical chapter for me. In my previous work, I was finding my way, throwing things at the wall, seeing what stuck and making a fucking mess along the way. Post-lockdown, I was lucky enough to come into contact with my creative partner, business partner and good friend Maverick Quest who helped me to re-approach certain things. As we were recording I had this breakthrough moment and realised; 'this is what I want to be doing, why am I not doing this all the time?!', so the next day I went into work and handed in my notice. So yeah, this is the project that essentially made me quit my job, it better be good!”
Co-produced with Maverick Quest (Sons of theSun), Don’t Blame Me was mixed and mastered by John Hendicott (Jamie Woon) and Grammy-nominated Clinton McCreery (Enny, Jorja Smith) respectively. The EP also includes performances from Grammy-winning David Mrakpor (Blue Lab Beats) and one of London's hottest soul singers Sophie Faith (Stormzy) on the hook. The project was recorded at Chris Webb's (Kate Nash, EltonJohn) Friary Studios, with engineer Ivor Sotirov (Sam Fender, Pete Tong) on the analogue desk previously used in Olympic Studio One by countless legendary artists including Prince and The Rolling Stones, and the result allowing Toby's idiosyncratic style and songwriting shine through with the help of this stellar supporting cast.
“This is very much a time capsule of where I was and how I was feeling at the time,” Toby continues. “Despite everything that was going on in the world, I was having a good time and I’m not going to hate myself for that. Its about me killing the bad habits, the comforts and crutches that were dulling me down. Its about smokey pipe-dreams and reminiscing about those times pre-lockdown when I was going on dates with my boyfriend and not watching Drag Race every night. If the world's on fire and that’s all going down, I’m gonna just enjoy myself, drink margaritas and do the business”.
Toby sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:
1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?
I can't really remember how it all began, but I do know that I've always been a performer! And so whether that was putting on shows in the living room for my parents (to all the gayest of music - think Billie Piper, Abba, Kylie) as a young kid, and then that turned into me writing my own music and performing whilst at school.
2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?
I've got quite an eclectic array of influences. I grew up listening to old Soul, Motown, Classic Crooners and female Jazz classics, but then, as many artists of my generation may say, I fell in love with Amy Winehouse's music when she came about. I really appreciated her frank lyricism, and refusal to be the typical female pop star of the time. I found it really inspiring when it came to writing about my experience of queerness, not to censor myself, for fear of what others may think. For the future though... I'd love to work with more talented queer artists, the likes of Mykki Blanco, or Gabriels.
3. What projects do you have coming up and can you give us any info on them?
Well the EP, 'Don't Blame Me' is now out on Think Twice Records, so check that out! But then I'm well on the way with my next project, which is a longer format queer concept record, and it's gonna be a multi-faceted art project, with visuals and a supporting photo book. I'm excited especially for this because it's going to give me a chance to combine all of my creativity in one project. It's going to take some work, so before that, I'll likely be dropping a few single appetisers.
4. How would you describe your sound?
UK Indie Soul.
5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?
Still being here creating, growing and expanding.
6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?
Find your people, respect and value them as collaborators, be open, be kind, be honest, be humble, support other artists, remove your barriers to creating and keep the fuck going!
7. Are there any artists on your radar right now that we should check out?
You should 10000000% check out the rest of my State Is Flow Music Family, we're a London based creative-music collective, made up of a number of different artist projects and working on material together as a group. Check us here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0p1Hynfp4pixw2187AxK0A?si=0ed0787790474200
8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?
The recent Yves Tumor album, I'm a big fan. And recently a number of talented pals have been releasing so there's Laura Roy's 'Odyssey' EP and Geo Jordan's EP that was out recently. They're both amazing songwriters and one of my fave couples evaaa.
9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?
Cook, create and... ( I was gonna say masturbate because it rhymed BUT, it would both be inappropriate and untrue) sooo ... I'l say watch Arsenal hopefully win the Premier League - she's a football gay okkkkk.
10. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?
1. Maverick Quest - My pal, creative partner and collaborating producer.
2. Vocal Tubes - Shout out to Joshua Alamu and if he see’s this 'can I get some commission for all the tubes I've sold for ya?'
3. My own cooking - I fully cooked a whole gammon joint last time we were on residential.