Project Description

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Interview with
TOBY MOBBS

(6th September 2022)

Interview by Dave Bruce

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Toby Mobbs is a librarian by day and pop-folk singer-songwriter by night. Mobbs has sought to carve a unique music style both live and in the studio by incorporating thick, dynamic, and rhythmic guitar, warm vocals, and introspective lyrical storytelling. When not in his hometown of Albury NSW, you will find him traveling around Australia finding new towns and audiences to connect with, providing insight into the stories behind the music, and promoting his latest studio releases.

While Toby has been labelled one of the hardest working independent touring musicians in the country, his studio recordings shine a different light to his stripped back performances on stage. These recordings break far away from the solo artist typecast, showcasing a unique interpretation of the many musical genres that inspire his writing.

In 2020 Mobbs announced his ‘Making Lemonade’ Regional Tour consisting of thirty-nine shows across regional New South Wales and Victoria. The tour promoted his debut single by the same name which took out the #1 spot on the Atomic music charts for an unprecedented 15 consecutive weeks, gaining the first ‘Triple Uranium’ award. In 2021 Mobbs’ follow-up track ‘Moments’ shot up the Triple J Unearthed Chart gaining the #1 spot for Rock and #2 overall. Other charting accolades include reaching #3 on AMRAP’s national weekly regional charts with ‘Just One Thing’ in 2021.

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“Toby Mobbs’ new album Placid In The Rough muses on the past as he dreams of the possibilities of the future in an album that chronicles his emotional journey from the last few years due to the pandemic. Featuring collaborations from Asha Bright and Nick Keogh and songs that are a melange of genres including folk-rock, indie-pop and ballads Placid In The Rough climbs to a cathartic emotional release as it refuses to be constrained. This is exploratory and introspective songwriting that leaves you feeling hopeful, from the alluring tenderness of the standout track The River to the uplifting Will I Be Somebody Else, Toby plays with his heart on his guitar strings.” – Melanie Griffiths, Amnplify

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Have you always wanted to be a musician? When did you get the song writing bug?
I’ve always wanted to create things. Music allows me to create something that has never existed before and that will hopefully outlive me. Proof that I was here I guess you could say. I started playing guitar in early high school for much less insightful reasons; to try and look cool. I got a real rush from playing in early school bands. I don’t chase the idea of trying (and failing) to be the best like I once did when I was younger. But I am adamant in chasing the idea of being the best version of myself, failures along the way included. I feel I have something to say with my music, so I want to say it well.

How would you describe your sound? Why do you think people resonate with your music?
I find it difficult to pinpoint my recordings as a specific genre, and for that I’m glad. My studio releases are a way for me to explore and infuse my musical influences into my music. I have friends say that they can still hear my style in whatever the track is. Being too close to it I can’t look at it objectively to tell you what that is, but I’m glad it’s there. As a solo performer I go by the pop-folk label, but the itch to be playing in a band again is getting stronger.

Which artist’s music and/or performance, past or present, inspires you today?
Gang Of Youths. No-one else comes close. They were a complete musical reset for me the first time I heard them back in 2014. I remember thinking “This is how I’ve wanted the music that’s been in my head to make myself and others feel”. I’m still working on getting there.

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Your new Album ‘Placid In The Rough’ has just been released! Describe its origin and evolution.
Back in 2019 I didn’t have enough original material to be playing three-hour gigs. After a few months of writing, I had eight more songs up my sleeve. I started recording one of them (‘Making Lemonade’) as a lockdown project and I decided to keep recording and releasing one of these new tracks every three months. Now that I was able to book standard length solo gigs I booked and played my Making Lemonade Regional Tour in 2020. It was fitting that the name of the album comes from a line in ‘Making Lemonade’ which is also the first track. That song is where it all started.

What tracks are the signature pieces, and do you have a favourite?
My favourite is still ‘Moments’. That track was released to break out of the singer-songwriter box I’d been put in. It also came about from missing the feeling of being in a band, so I decided to replicate that in the studio. That one really surprised people and I think it’s what gave me the confidence to not limit the album to a defined genre.

Any tours or events coming up soon? What are you looking forward to, and what can the fans expect?
You bet! I’ll be jumping in the car in October for a national tour. When I say national, I really mean it. There won’t be any capital city skipped. I’ll be driving 14,000km in 28 days to bring my music to intimate audiences. I’ll be playing acoustic versions of the album and explaining the stories behind each song and supported by music friends that are local each city. I genuinely have no idea how it’s all going to go but that’s all part of it. It’s scary stuff doing something like this as an independent artist without the backing of a promotor, booking agent, or label. But that’s not going to stop me either.

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How has COVID affected you to date? What have you introduced to balance the losses from missed events?
I’m quite fortunate to have a second job. I’m a university Librarian which allows me to take financial risks with my music. I greatly admire all artists who have the arts their sole income. I say this because I feel while I have had many musical setbacks due to the pandemic (90 date regional tour more than halved, tours to Darwin, Perth, and Hobart cancelled) it really doesn’t compare to the trouble it caused people working full-time in the entertainment industry.

If you could perform with any music artist, Alive or Dead, who would you choose? And why?
Gang Of Youths. One day.

Do you have any long-term aspirations as a music artist?
I’m a long-term planner when it comes to music. There’s many years of projects already mapped out, each with something new to say. There’s a lot of symmetry happening in ‘Placid In The Rough’ and that will transfer to future releases too. I think once the next album comes out people will understand the patterns more and how intentional things were. I’m excited for it.

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What is the best thing about performing to a live audience? What’s been the career highlight so far?
There’s nothing better than an attentive crowd when you’re playing your own music. I wrote a song called ‘Surrender’ which has some super quiet parts and ends with nothing more than a whisper. I played it recently when I was supporting Matt Cross at a local Albury gig. There’s something eerie and brilliant when the end of that song approaches, and it gets quieter and quieter, and the audience matches that energy. When it works, it really works. It’s moments like that I want to capture on my upcoming national tour.

Finally, a few questions for some quick answers –
FAVOURITE:
Album – ‘The Positions’ – Gang Of Youths.
Artist – Chance The Rapper.
Movie – It’s a three-way tie between Back To The Future, Jurassic Park, and Hook.
Place to visit – Garage sales. Be rude not to drop quickly drop in and check it out.
Venue to play – The Bended Elbow Laneway, Albury.
Food – Love a good penne carbonara.
Drink – Phoenix Organic Cola.
Book – ‘The Orchid Thief’ – Susan Orlean
Tattoo –  I have a Gang Of Youths tattoo on my left arm. It inspired my song ‘A Mark To Remember’.

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TOUR DATES

Wagga Wagga
The Curious Rabbit
5th October 
w/That Geraldine Chick 

Canberra
The Food Co-op Shop & Café
6th October 
w/Joel William Harrison 

Sydney
Butchers Brew Bar
7th October 
w/Nick Blow 

Brisbane
Can You Keep A Secret?
9th October 
w/Dan Munn

Darwin
Happy Yess
15th October 
w/Emma Rowe

Perth
Vinyl Café
22nd October 
w/Ornella 

Adelaide
Wheatsheaf Hotel
26th October 
w/Lucas Day 

Melbourne
Brunswick Artists’ Bar
28th October 
w/Nick Keogh 

Hobart
Pablos
30th October 
w/Colin Kucera 

Albury-Wodonga
The Goods Shed
6th November 
w/Asha Bright & ‘IVA 

TICKETS

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Follow TOBY MOBBS
Website – Facebook – Instagram

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AMNPLIFY – DB