Inspired #394 - Toby Corton
Queer creative Toby Corton has just released his soul-fueled single ‘Roll With It’.
Written with Jammaz Jamz (Asian Dub Foundation), co-produced with Maverick Quest (Sons of the Sun), mixed and mastered by John Hendicott (Jamie Woon) and Grammy-nominated Clinton McCreery (Enny, Jorja Smith) respectively, the track includes performances from emerging soul-stress Sophie Faith and Grammy winner David Mrakpor (Blue Lab Beats). ‘Roll With It' is the first single from Toby’s upcoming 'Don't Blame Me' EP, due for release in 2023.
A refreshing mix of retro and modern influences, Toby describes his sound as “a modern British take on neo-soul built on a foundation of frank queer storytelling. His latest cut is no exception; “I wrote ‘Roll With It’ during the pandemic when I was perhaps smoking and drinking a bit too much,” Toby explains. “The endless countdown of days was A LOT and the only peace I could find was sparking up and making music. ‘Roll With It’ is lamenting the situation in which I was seeking to recede from the reality of what we were experiencing, as well as asking myself 'what else can I do, but just Roll With It?’”.
He took a moment to talk to us about the inspirations behind his music.
Who are your top three musical inspirations and why?
I don't really have a top three, because I tend to pull inspiration from all sorts of music. BUT, if I have to highlight some people I would say...
Amy Winehouse, I think her approach to music and the way she fused the sounds of jazz/soul/r&b has a lot to do with inspiring a generation of singers in the UK, of which we are seeing a lot coming through right now, perhaps even introducing and connecting them with music of bygone times. That's before we get to the frankness of her pen. If asked the question I bet a lot in the UK Jazz/Soul/R&B scene right now would place her among their top.
Bowie, genius.
The people around me, my State Is Flow collective. I'm so inspired by the immense talents of the people around me. Of whom we could say the world is yet to truly meet. I can't wait to see what all the artists that make up the collective achieve.
Is there a certain film that inspires you and why?
Again, just one? An impossible task for someone who spends a lot of time in decision paralysis. I would say I'm a big Kubrick, Wes Anderson and Pedro Almodovar fan.
What city do you find the most inspiring and why?
London - the mix and the melting pot of what happens here is very special to me. If it wasn't London it'd be Tokyo.
Who is the most inspiring person to you and why?
This oscillates, but always high up the list is my nan Sheila. She's a living legend, on a different level of Granny iconic. So put together and a comedic genius, even when she's not trying.
What were your inspirations when writing your new track?
What do you think inspired it...
How would you like to inspire people?
Hmmm... I'm not sure if I personally set out to inspire people or if I've ever thought about how I would like to. I'm just out here trying to do my thing, so perhaps if people like what I'm doing that might encourage people to do their thing.
