Toby Lightman – Interview

There’s a world of difference between pop stars who sing other people’s songs, and female singer/songwriters who truly touch your soul. With a voice that’s powerful, passionate, endlessly expressive, and full of contagious energy, Toby Lightman is just that type of artist—one who will undoubtedly surprise and captivate those who listen to her Lava Records debut, Little Things, slated for release in March 2004. Toby’s deeply soulful rock groove, which can best be described as blending elements of Sheryl Crow and Lauryn Hill, has earned her favorable comparisons from popular breakthrough artists like Alicia Keys and Mary J. Blige to classic singer/songwriters such as Joni Mitchell and Bonnie Raitt. We talk to Toby.

Is this experience of being signed a completely bizarre world?

Yeah, but there are aspects of the industry that I knew I wasn’t going to be aware of. There are a lot of things people don’t know about.

How did you get signed?

I was working with different people because I was trying to find my style. I found some people and I had basically one song that came out of it that was what I was trying to do. I sent it out to friends of mine and a manager heard it and set me up with a producer that set me up with Lava.

Was this a dream?

When I was a kid I never dreamed of doing this. I actually started pretty late, when I was in college. I didn’t really having aspirations, but I was singing and people enjoyed it so I just wanted to see where it could go.

What did you go to college for?

I ended up majoring in communication, arts and film. So I was into movie editing. I wanted to double major in Spanish. I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I figured once I graduated I’d just bartend.

What would you do with Spanish as your major?

I have no idea. I was so fluent from taking Spanish in high school I figured what the hell.

What did your family think when you told them record labels were interested?

Well I was bartending and they were concerned and wanted to see how long I could make it in New York as a bartender so they were worried about my salary and stuff. They have always been supportive, but it was hard for them to grasp. When everyone else’s kids are lawyers and in advertising they didn’t know how to react.

It has to take a lot of balls. Did you doubt it?

Everyone goes into this having their doubts. It’s one thing to talk about it but another to do it. I just had to go with it. When someone comes to see you with a contract in hand you can be overwhelmed. Normally there is more positive than negative.

Do you watch American Idol?

Yeah, I have to admit it.

Is it weird to see that taking such a short road?

A lot my friend’s parents watch that and wonder why I didn’t do that. Kelly Clarkson and the others are lucky who have the staying power. I’m surprised they can last as long as they do because its reality TV. You aren’t known as Clay Aiken as much as the guy who was the runner up on American Idol. I wanted to do it in a way that people would take me more seriously.

You said you were trying to find your sound, did you totally find it?

You learn new things everyday and I’m still not the master in what I’m doing. When I was working with a lot of things with different people—but you have a short attention span and the next day the things you wrote the day before you want to do something new. But eventually I really got it and felt I found it.

The songs are pop, but without being trite.

Pop is what is popular. It’s hard because Eminem is pop, there are so many types of music that are called pop—it’s so broad and vague.

Sometimes you have to explain to people now that it is pop, but it’s good.

Right, because pop has this connotation of being bubble gum pop. It’s not used the way that it should be.
When working on the songs do they come naturally?

I really like to program drum beats and I want acoustic guitars and I knew that is where I was going with every song, but you never know that is why you have to try things. I want to write something appropriate for the song and not try to make it a radio hit single. It had to be and it had to be real. If you try to force it people know. There was no formula.

What I liked about Sheryl Crow when she first came out everyone else was angry and she wasn’t. She sounded happy. That is what I feel listening to your record.

It has some angst in it, but it doesn’t have to be…

Overdramatic.

Not singing about cutting someone’s heart out? (We both laugh).

When did you discover you could sing?

I took a class because I could goof around, but I really liked it and there was this gradual realization that I loved it.

What do you like to sing at the top of your lungs to while driving or in the shower?

A lot. I love singing Stevie Wonder stuff. Anything I’m listening to that is in my player.

What is the most flattering thing someone could say about your songs or voice?

A few years ago someone paid me the best compliment; someone told me that when they were listening to the lyrics they would have never thought to say it like that. I loved that.

+ Charlie Craine