TOBI

What were you doing when you were 17? Having your first driving lesson? Stressing over your A Level coursework? Or getting ready to play the Isle of Wight festival?

It’s all in a day’s work for 17-year-old Barnet singer/songwriter Tobi Earnshaw, who was discovered by Free's legendary bass player Andy Fraser when he was just 15. He’s flown to LA to record his first album, Spirit In Me, earning nine Grammy nominations for it, toured the States and is getting ready to release the album and his double A-side single Brighten Up My Day in the UK.

"I’ve never been to a festival before - my first one is the one I’m playing at!" Tobi laughs. He’s playing the Garden Stage on Saturday, June 23 at 1.10pm.

How does he feel about playing on the same billing as the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam and Noel Gallagher? "I’m just sort of rolling with it. I’m so busy doing radio interviews and rehearsing, but when the band gets over from LA and we start rehearsing together, that’s when it’ll start getting exciting - and nerve-wracking.

"I’m just so happy to be playing there," he continues. "I’m really looking forward to getting down there and playing with the band, playing with all these people.

"Andy did it with Free in 1970 when there were about 750,000 people. He showed me a picture taken from behind him looking out over all these people - they just kept going on and on... Luckily there won’t be that many there this time!"

After the excitement of the festival has died down, Tobi’s thoughts will turn to the release of Spirit In Me, out on September 3. It’s already had a great reception in the US, where it came out at the end of last year. And in September he’s going back over to LA to begin work on the follow-up album, part of his three-album deal with Andy Fraser’s McTrax label.

"I’m really going full-out on my musical career," Tobi says. "The Isle of Wight is such a big deal - you can imagine how I feel!" Well, you can if you’re a superstar 17-year-old.

Tobi plays the Isle of Wight Festival on Saturday, June 23. The single Brighten Up My Life is out on August 20 and the album Spirit In Me is released on September 3. Details: www.tobiofficial.com - Watford Observer

(October 25, 2012) -- McTrax CEO Andy Fraser introduced the first signing to his McTrax label, Tobi, to guests at the Shine On Hollywood Magazine launch party last weekend. Tobi joined a string of famous faces at the event before wowing the audience with a live acoustic performance.

It is only the second time that the youngster, now just 18 years old has spent time in Los Angeles since the recording of his debut album 'Spirit In Me' last year.



Since the release of the album and his single 'Brighten Up My Day' Tobi has spent time in both the UK and Germany promoting his music alongside mentor Andy Fraser who also released his new album 'On Assignment' in October of this year to coincide with the launch of his auto-biography 'All Right Now... Life, Death And Life Again'.

Tobi and Andy are back in LA to write and record Tobi's second studio album to be released early 2013. Keep up to date with the latest McTrax news, pictures and tour dates by subscribing to the McTrax Facebook Page.

You can find out more about Tobi and the McTrax label by watching our introductory video: - Shine On Hollywood Magazine

(Tuesday, November 22, 2011) - Mctrax recording artist TOBI has a conversation with the Greek magazine Hit Channel about his debut album and working with legendary songwriter Andy Fraser. - HIT CHANNEL

I recently had a chance to sit and chit chat a little with up and coming singer/guitarist/songwriter TOBI. While hailing from the other side of the pond, he’s found himself enjoying the chaotic life of promoting his debut album, Spirit In Me, here in the States.

TOBI had started off his entertaining itch by performing as a break dancer at the early age of two. As the years progressed, he began to dabble in his father’s musical shoes and began playing guitar. All it took was learning a couple of basic acoustic chords and he was set to go. That is, of course, until his mother crushed his dreams of becoming a successful solo guitarist and bribed him into performing at a local open mic night, which would result in a brand new guitar that TOBI had wanted. The young artist admitted that he did NOT like singing - dancing and playing the guitar was his forte. After being discovered and picked up by McTrax it was clear that he was not going to be simply playing the guitar.

TOBI took his influences—Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and John Mayer (an extreme emphasis of John Mayer according to TOBI)—and put together a nine track album that can be categorized as pop with a brush of blues. A couple of his favorite and more personal tracks are “Here We Go” and “You and Me.” “Here We Go” was inspired by his journey to leave London and come to the United States to set the path to becoming a successful musician. “You and Me” tells the story of a relationship that he shared with a girl, which had a lasting effect on him.

From what you can see, TOBI has a lot of potential and, quite frankly, is an enjoyable guy. His type of music might not suit everyone’s taste, but don’t disregard what he can bring to the table. If anything, check out this different spin on his song titled “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now,” which really hits upon his blues influences and feel free to learn more about TOBI at his website: www.tobiofficial.com and check out his video with Andy Fraser at http://youtu.be/tFc1YEXK2KM

Interview by Melissa Moreno - BITE ME MUSIC AND FASHION MAGAZINE

(Sunday, August 12, 2012) - Teenage Londoner Tobias Earnshaw has had an extraordinary year or so, after being whisked off to the United States by former Free bassist Andy Fraser, when he was impressed by the talent of the 17 year old guitarist. In June he played alongside Fraser at the Isle of Wight Festival, apparently impressing the slightly soggy crowd into a standing ovation.

After promoting this debut release in the States, where he has gained nine Grammy nominations already, Tobi now has the UK in his sights and in September will be on the bill for a gig that also features Joe Satriani and the likes of Phil Campbell. The question is of course does the hype match the product – these days we are so often disappointed. Likened to John Mayer and Robin Thicke, Tobi is actually right in the middle of the two, with a smooth sound enriched by perfect guitar sweeps.

His first single Brighten Up My Day, is a typical slice of pop soul, sounding like Maxwell and Tony Rich with vocals as silky as the backing. Lyrically there are no surprises, with the songs dominated by romance and relationships, like references to “one smile away from your heart” (Halfway There) and “can’t stop thinking about you…makes it hard for me to sleep” (The Real Thing); but these predictable and generic lyrics are perhaps no surprise from someone so young.

The hardest thing for talented guitarists has always been making their own material strong enough to support their playing. It is something Joe Bonamassa has managed well in recent years, but others have struggled. Even John Mayer’s found he has angered fans by becoming more commercial and in some eyes, bland. Here Tobi’s slices of pop soul are beautifully polished and well produced but there is that one stunning song missing.

The likes of Nothing Gonna Stop Us, Here We Go and Need You Tonight all stick to the same formula and probably work better live, when less polished. But after listening to the nine tracks here you have to remind yourself that Tobi is only just legally able to drive in the UK, and to produce something as accomplished as this album at such an age is extraordinary. A burgeoning talent for sure, and a possible star. So keep an eye on the name Tobi in the coming years. - MUSIC-NEWS UK

(Tuesday, August 02, 2011) - Andy Fraser of Free, writer of one of rocks greatest anthems, “All Right Now,” stopped by with his artist Tobi to do an interview at the NYC Gibson/Baldwin Showroom. Check for the video to run soon at www.gibson.com ”Features.” For more on what Andy is doing now go to www.mctrax.com. - Gibson Guitar

(Wednesday, June 20, 2012) - By Rosy Moorhead

What were you doing when you were 17? Having your first driving lesson? Stressing over your A Level coursework? Or getting ready to play the Isle of Wight festival?

It’s all in a day’s work for 17-year-old Barnet singer/songwriter Tobi Earnshaw, who was discovered by Free's legendary bass player Andy Fraser when he was just 15. He’s flown to LA to record his first album, Spirit In Me, earning nine Grammy nominations for it, toured the States and is getting ready to release the album and his double A-side single Brighten Up My Day in the UK.

"I’ve never been to a festival before - my first one is the one I’m playing at!" Tobi laughs. He’s playing the Garden Stage on Saturday, June 23 at 1.10pm.

How does he feel about playing on the same billing as the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam and Noel Gallagher? "I’m just sort of rolling with it. I’m so busy doing radio interviews and rehearsing, but when the band gets over from LA and we start rehearsing together, that’s when it’ll start getting exciting - and nerve-wracking.

"I’m just so happy to be playing there," he continues. "I’m really looking forward to getting down there and playing with the band, playing with all these people.

"Andy did it with Free in 1970 when there were about 750,000 people. He showed me a picture taken from behind him looking out over all these people - they just kept going on and on... Luckily there won’t be that many there this time!"

After the excitement of the festival has died down, Tobi’s thoughts will turn to the release of Spirit In Me, out on September 3. It’s already had a great reception in the US, where it came out at the end of last year. And in September he’s going back over to LA to begin work on the follow-up album, part of his three-album deal with Andy Fraser’s McTrax label.

"I’m really going full-out on my musical career," Tobi says. "The Isle of Wight is such a big deal - you can imagine how I feel!" Well, you can if you’re a superstar 17-year-old.

Tobi plays the Isle of Wight Festival on Saturday, June 23. The single Brighten Up My Life is out on August 20 and the album Spirit In Me is released on September 3. - TIMES SERIES LONDON

(Sunday, August 07, 2011) - The world has a new guitar wunderkind to watch out for, someone raised on the Blues and R&B, who is ready to burst onto the Rock and Pop scenes with near limitless potential. Meet TOBI, the bright-eyed young musical mastermind and creator of the new album Spirit In Me which is out now.

Read more: Meet Guitar-Phenom TOBI, Debut Album “Spirit In Me” Out Aug. 2 - CBS Interactive Music Group - StreetDate

(Wednesday, November 23, 2011) - Tobi is a 16 year old talented guitar player who is mainly influenced by legendary guitarists like Eric Clapton, BB King and Stevie Ray Vaughn. His debut album "Spirit in me" is produced by the famous Andy Fraser, mostly known as a member of Free but also released a great solo album in 1984 called "Fine fine line". The music on "Spirit in me" is blues based R&B/pop that bring thoughts to Terence Trent D´Arby, Paul Young and Robbie Nevil. The single "Brighten up my day" is one of the best songs here and it´s also available on youtube, I love the hooks in this groovy tune but another thing that makes this album so enjoyable to soak in is the fat bass sound on all songs. Especially the opening track "Here we go" that feels in your entire body if you crank it up. I get the feeling, we will hear more from Tobi in 2012 since he´s eligible for 9 Grammys. - MELODIC MAGAZINE

(Wednesday, May 16, 2012) - Brighten Up My Day

With some fancy footwork and a surprisingly soulful sound, TOBI has hit our radar with his new single Brighten Up My Day, and it's deffo lived up to its name! He's 16, from London and has already made it in the US, plus he's on the bill for this year's Isle Of Wight festival. He's even being compared to Justin Bieber. Hmmm...we're sensing we'll be hearing a lot more from this guy! Does his single brighten your day?

Brighten Up My Day is out 20th August and debut album Spirit In Me is out and Live In London DVD are out 3rd September. - MYBLISS UK

By: Shauna O’Donnell

HI TOBI, HOW ARE THINGS GOING OUT ON THE ROAD?

Hi Shauna, they’re good, we just got back to L.A. actually. We are at Andy’s at the moment, but we are heading off to New York next week.

CURRENTLY YOU ARE OUT ON A NATIONAL RADIO PROMO TOUR AS SPOKESPERSON FOR ‘ARTISTS SUPPORT JAPAN.’ TELL US ABOUT THE CAUSE AND WHAT YOUR INVOLVEMENT IS IN IT.

Andy got a call from his public relations person and he said that this was going on. It was convenient for me because at the time I was actually doing gigs with my school. There was someone at my school named Amy who had moved to England six months before the accident. She used to live in Japan. She had friends and family where the accident happened and she was really upset, so we put this whole thing on for her. After that Andy sent me an email message asking if I’d like to donate a song to ‘Artists support Japan’ and I thought it was wicked. We chose to do “Nothing is Going to Stop Us,” which is the album name but we called it “There’s Always Hope.” Amy is actually on the video for ‘Artists Support Japan’ and she is saying a message in Japanese on there. We thought why not let her say something to everyone and give everyone hope about what is going on.

ONCE THE TOUR ENDS, WILL YOU CONTINUE ON WITH THE PROJECT?

When the tour ends, I will be going back to London for a bit because I haven’t actually got a Visa to be over here yet. Andy will be sorting it out for me. It is vague to me, but I’m sure Andy has a big clue; he must be working on something. For me, as long as it’s around, I will be more than happy to be a part of it.

YOU HAVE AN ALBUM OUT TITLED SPIRIT IN ME. WHEN DID IT RELEASE?

It released a couple of weeks ago. I came over here in January to record it and we did it in three weeks in Andy’s studio at his house. I was actually still in school at the time and luckily I got time off because my dad is the head master of the school. It is my parent’s school, so I got three weeks off to come over here. We did the album and then I went back. There were a couple of months before I was coming back and in this time I was sending Andy different audio tracks and things to put on the album. We were basically doing it over Skype and email. One of the first songs I sent to him was “Brighten Up My Day” which was the first song I actually ever recorded. I did it when I was fifteen. It is the first single releasing. A friend of mine’s wife works with my parents at the school in the agency part and she sent it over to him. I had no idea this was going on at the time. She said I have sent something over to Andy Fraser, he really likes it and he wants you to send over individual audio files. I did that, I had no idea what was going on and he sent it back re-mastered. I was like “Oh! That is cool!” I never actually had an email at the time and as soon as I got an email it made me feel businessy and everything. I then got an email saying “How would you like a recording contract?” I was like “Wow!” That is quite an email to start off. I came out a couple of weeks ago and I had finished school three days before I came out. We were actually finishing the album the week before we went on tour and while we were on tour, he sent it away to get mastered.

IS THIS YOUR FIRST ALBUM? WHERE IS IT AVAILABLE?

Yes, this is my first album. It is available here http://www.mctrax.com/album.php?id=46

YOU ARE SIGNED TO THE LABEL MCTRAX NOW. WHEN DID YOU SIGN?

I have been with the label for about a year and a half now. It’s strange to think that in that time we did the album in three weeks. Everything seems to be going smoothly. It’s a bit of fresh air to go to the big ones like Clear Channel and they like my music. They put me on iHeartRadio as Artist to Watch.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN PLAYING MUSIC?

I have been playing since I was twelve. I started on guitar and before that I was a street dancer. I listened to Justin Timberlake a lot, as well as a lot of R&B.

WHAT ABOUT MICHAEL JACKSON?

Oh definitely Michael Jackson.

WHILE I WAS LISTENING TO YOUR SONGS, YOUR VOICE AND MUSIC REMINDED ME A BIT OF MICHAEL JACKSON. I KNOW EVERYONE INTERPRETS MUSIC DIFFERENTLY; IT JUST REMINDED ME OF HIM.

Really? You are the first person to say that, so I’m surprised. That is a cool interpretation because he is one of the greats! I was doing street dance and when I got to twelve I picked up an acoustic guitar. My dad is a saxophone player and he had a guitar in his room that belonged to someone he played in a band with. I went into his room one day, picked it up and started playing stuff that sounded like horrible notes. He sat me down and taught me an A and an E. I was actually eleven and then on my twelfth birthday he took me to a guitar shop. He said “Do you really want to learn how to play guitar?” I said “Yeah!” He bought me a guitar as well as lessons with one of the student’s parents that came to the school. That is the day that I started and - MUEN MAGAZINE

(Tuesday, August 02, 2011) - Debuting on "NEW Discover" at number 7 on iHeart Radio the 750 plus radio outlet lists TOBI as "Artist to Watch"

New York, NY: - August 2, 2011 -- Having debuted at number 7 on the iHeart Radio Top 20 On Demand charts, the song "Brighten Up My Day" has emerged to the 5th spot on the list and holding steady. The song is on the debut album titled "Spirit In Me" which was officially released today, followed by a series of live radio performances in New York.

"Being in iHeart Radio on Demand Top Ten this quickly is incredible," states UK Pop musician Tobi Earnshaw aka TOBI, "I'm just doing what I love so it's great that the listeners like my music."

Mctrax CEO Andy Fraser saw potential in Tobi as the first artist signing in early 2011. "Tracking was a dream, I gave him complete freedom to do his thing, and he gave me complete freedom to play with it. For him, I suspect it was like holding a mirror up to him, to give first glance at himself and enormous potential," states Fraser about the recording process. "The song 'Brighten up my Day', was written by Tobi at age 14 in London about a blond beauty over a summers holiday. "It has become the first single, but I am convinced we have several very strong follow ups," Fraser states.

With Fraser's background as a legendary co-songwriter and bassist for the classic 70's rock group Free (All Right Now) and later continuing a solo career and mega hit songwriter for such artists as Joe Cocker, Etta James, Rod Stewart, and Robert Palmer, he has the uncanny ability to locate solid talent. "Tobi has the natural ability to be a 'pop' artist with integrity and a rock concert performer. He has the same freedom in his lyric writing as a John Mayer, or even Bob Dylan, in the honesty and openness, being not afraid to show vulnerability. Plus the guitar skills of an Eric Clapton, Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Tobi has learned and taken from the best, very few have that. No one comes away after a listen and doesn't say, This guy's got a big future," Fraser further states.

Tobi, and Fraser will be hosting a Clear Channel Lunch performance on August 3rd followed by a live performance at the CBS Interactive Music Group on August 4th, in New York. - Music Industry News Network

(Saturday, June 09, 2012) - By Brandon Veevers

At just 16 years of age, London born Tobi is a white hot musical talent who's already being compared to the likes of John Mayer and Justin Bieber.

Having already qualified for 9 Grammy nominations his first album already comes with the US seal of approval, as this debut offering was immediately recognised for it's songwriting strength and excellent production by CBS and iHeart Radio in America. As a result, the album enjoyed top-charting positioning on iHeart Radio's "New Discover and Uncover" charts for over 20 weeks, for the critically acclaimed songs Brighten Up My Day, Here We Go and You and Me.

The single Brighten Up My Day, showcases everything that's unique about Tobi in a 3 minute sound-shot. Powerful, yet gentle vocals soulfully skip across a melodic sound-bed of beats and rhythms, as Tobi tells the joyful, care-free story of romance. This track cokes loaded with two delightful surprises as the catchy melody is bridged with an arresting raunchy guitar solo played personally by Tobi, plus the fact that this 16-year sounds so rich and mature.

Exceptionally gifted, oozing charisma, drop-dead gorgeous and just 16 years of age-the next musical heart throb has just been born! - ENTERTAINMENT FOCUS

(Friday, June 29, 2012) - By Dmitry Epstein

British answer to Justin Bieber if you like - but smarter, more soulful and he plays guitar to boot. Ah yes, and has a living legend on his side.

Rocking with FREE at 15, Andy Fraser knows the meaning of term "wunderkind" too well, so to him a 16-years-old fellow Englishmen Tobi might be a lightweight latecomer, but his is a talent that's hard to ignore and not make the first outside artist on the "All Right Now" riff author's label's roster. By the way, Fraser's first post-FREE band was called TOBY, but don't expect any heaviness here, for Tobi and Andy, intertwining their guitar and bass and sometimes voices, bake soft soul cakes, with "Nothing Gonna Stop Us", sweet and slightly gritty, a direct link to Marvin and Smokie.

The class oozes out from beginning to end, from the deep, underwater bubbling of "Here We Go", where the youngster's voice keeps surface tension tight for the better reflection, to the closing tremulous ballad "All Along" that flows across the 7-minute mark to demonstrate his thoughtful playing and leave a delicious aftertaste. Mostly too clever, perhaps, for a chart action, the album holds such groovy cuts as "The Real Thing" or the bluesy "Halfway There", oiled with harmonica, in its midst, while gentle funk of "It's Not Easy" can jolt the MAROON 5 camp. It's that strong if a bit naive which, given the artist's age, is forgivable, and the promise of greatness is indisputable.
****
- DMME Magazine

(Sunday, August 12, 2012) - McTrax signing Tobi was invited to the Female First HQ last week to record an exclusive interview with the UK's favourite online magazine. Performing four songs from his forth-coming album "Spirit In Me" Tobi stunned the team with his talent and charisma...
- FemaleFirst UK