Just 18 months ago, Toby Corton began his musical journey.

With regular slots across London, Toby’s distinctive sultry sound has firmly secured its space in the capital’s music scene, landing him slots at festivals including Dot to Dot and Cirque Du Soul’s El Dorado.

If that wasn’t enough to prove his sound is a winning genre blend, Toby has also just been selected as the main support act for Pride in London and will represent the UK at World Pride in Madrid.

With his distinctive vocals immediately capturing our attention and his achievements quickly racking up, we caught up with Toby to allow him to introduce his music to you.

How did you first discover your musical talent?

I’ve always been into music, and my mum and dad were always playing stuff in the house or the car when I was growing up, but I really got into it at secondary school. I wasn’t really doing much music in the years after leaving school and then I really got back into it at the beginning of last year.

Which artists/bands influenced you the most to launch your music career?

Again, my parents music taste has really influenced me, but it was very eclectic. My mum’s love of soul and r’n’b had a big impact, as well as the golden voices my grandparents loved like your Nina Simones, Nat King Coles and Ella Fitzgeralds. Then you also have the artists that were about when I was teenager, like Amy Winehouse and Jamie T.

You’re used to gigging around the London scene, are there any shows in particular in your career to-date that stand out?

I loved playing at Ronnie Scott’s last month, albeit not in the main room, it was amazing just to be in a venue that has housed so many people I admire. I recently found out that I’ll be playing at London pride too, which should be fun!

For those who have yet to hear any of your tracks, how would you sum up your sound in 5 words?

Hmmmm (that’s not one of them!), Brit, Jazz, Soul, RnB Fusion.

If you could collaborate with any UK artist this summer, who would it be and why?

Christ that’s hard, can I pick few? (I’m gonna have to look at my Spotify to decide) … I’d probably have to go with Loyle Carner, Tom Misch, Cosmo Pyke… there are loads more but that’ll do!

Do you have any plans for shows outside of London this year?

No plans as of yet. I was just up in Nottingham for Dot to Dot Festival and I’ll be at El Dorado Festival in Herefordshire at the end of the month. Other than that, there’s nothing in stone, but will hopefully be getting out and about.

What are your aims for 2017?

Just keep making music, working hard a writing and gigging and keep growing.

Keep up-to-date with Toby:
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You can listen to Toby’s latest single ‘You Know Me So Well’ below: