Toby Pearce may just be one of the freshest, most intriguing rock singer-songwriters you will hear this year; evidenced by his second single ‘Strange Times’. A deceptively simple but straight-to-the-heart track, it is the kind of song that can only come from a life lived. Co-produced by John Reynolds who also performs on the track, ‘Strange Times’ touches upon musical cornerstones of Pearce’s life.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
Kamil) Hey Toby Pearce, super nice to have the chance to chat with you. What drew you to the music industry?
It’s my pleasure Kamil. Well the question for me is maybe why wasn’t I drawn to it sooner? The truth is I have been writing and producing songs one way or the other since I was a teenager. It was just what I did naturally. But I never ventured out with it or took myself seriously as a musical artist. So I kind of got in my own way. Thankfully, I’m over that now and here I am!
How do you balance your time in the studio with other commitments such as a full-time job, family, admin?
Music never sleeps! Luckily I have a home studio where I can write my songs and make a decent demo. I get a lot done late at night when work and family commitments are met (sometimes into the early hours).
Your latest song is 'Strange Times'. Can you tell us more about the making of it and if there were any unusual things happening during the process?
It was written during lockdown and started as a piano ballad. Then I changed it to guitar-led which works much better. I recorded the acoustic guitar with 3 mics to get the right sound. The electric guitar solo in the outro is the original one I did but I later added a Mark Knopfler style one (I learned guitar listening to and watching him on live videos). My daughter preferred the original which is more simple and modern - she was right. I sent all the demo tracks to pro producer John Reynolds and he nailed the sound - in fact it was working with John that made me admit to myself I am a rock artist at heart and shouldn’t be afraid of that (previously I thought I had to have more of a pop sound to succeed). Among other things he played the live drums on the track and I think it sounds amazing.
What are your songs about?
They’re about how I feel about things, often from my subconscious. My soon-to-be-released debut album (from which Strange Times is the second single) is about following your passion but recognising the struggle and jeopardy in doing this later in life when you and people around you have fixed expectations. This can stop you taking the risk and going for it. It’s also about integrating the external view people have of you with your true self that gets formed in your teen years (so I learned in therapy). So most of the songs relate back to this personal integration theme one way or another. Which is uplifting and positive I hope!!
But I didn’t sit down and say hey I’m going to write a bunch of songs on that theme. The theme was formed by the stuff that was coming out of me over a period of time.
What would you be doing right now, if it wasn’t for your music career?
It’s hard to imagine not pursing music now but I would probably find some other creative outlet – writing or making something or other.
How do you know when a work is finished?
I have re-recorded entire demos because my vocal wasn’t in the right key, or the tempo or style was off. With mostly real instruments this is time consuming! But once those basics are out of the way, it’s done when the recorded version does the song justice. If it’s a good song this takes longer, easier if it’s a B side. It’s also when there is nothing that sticks out whether lyrics or sonically that makes it hard to listen to. I want the listener to feel it in their own way with no barriers or distractions to that.
Oh and I have a rule that if the song doesn’t work just on guitar (or piano) and vocal it’s not good enough.
Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of music?
I find gentle exercise - running, indoor rowing, walking - really helpful. It clears my mind, lowers stress and I sometimes get ideas for songs when doing it. I also love hiking and camping and try to do that at least once a year (dragging any family members or friends I can with me!)
When were you generally fulfilled in your position as an artist?
I am loving this journey. I know from life so far that it really is the travelling that’s the best part. Sometimes I get tied up with my targets to reach a bigger audience or whatever but then I remind myself how gratifying it is when just one person comes up to me after I play in a pub or a gig and says it resonates with them. This means the world to me and is why I do it.
What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?
Follow your passion whatever it is and don’t get in your own way. Recognise that it will involve sacrifice and don’t fantasise that it’s enough to just have an innate talent. Face up to the work involved to be a pro and put the hours in, find the time. Experiment and be prepared to fail and learn from that.
What are your plans for the future?
Put my debut album out this year and the second right behind it which is a different theme entirely - the one most songs are about…(clue)