Toni Baldwin

How long have you been creating and sharing your music with the public?
I’ve been making music since 2005. I’m from Murfreesboro and I went to the little music shop in the square and got a mic and I’ve been recording ever since.

Who or what influences your playing and/or writing? Also, what motivates you to keep going?
I get a lot of inspiration from The Maine, Beck, Dave Matthews, bands and musicians like that. I love that alternative sound. And what keeps me going is my love of sharing music. I love it.

Were you trying to accomplish anything specific on this new project? Creatively or otherwise?
I really want to establish myself more as a musician than I did with my EP. I just sent my album off to be mixed and mastered and I pulled a Taylor Swift and wrote all the songs on the record myself. I want to show people that I’m a real musician. So my debut album will be out VERY soon but right now everyone can check out my EP, Contra: RELOADED.

What was the last song you listened to?
The last song I listened to was “Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High” by Arctic Monkeys.

Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?
I prefer CDs. My favorite part about getting a new album is looking through the booklet because it’s an extension of the music. It gives you a visual other than a music video.

How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?
Apple Music all the way! I like being able to use Apple Music to connect with fans through Apple Music Connect, and the fact that you can literally stream almost anything. I never got into Spotify or Bandcamp like that.

Other than the digital era overwhelming us with access to an abundance of music, what are one or two of the biggest challenges you face when trying to attract listeners to your music?
The biggest challenge is that everyone can be their own record label and release music. So anyone can release a song and it could go viral or you can release your best song and get no attention at all.

Do you gig, tour or perform? Do you ever live stream? Where can music lovers see you live?
Now that my album is complete, I’m going to be doing shows around Atlanta and Nashville areas soon. I’m working on finalizing all of the dates for that.

Where is the best place to connect with you online? Discover more of your music?
The best place to connect with me online is any of my social media accounts, my username is @tonibaldwin on everything. To listen to my music, I’m on every available music platform.

Any last thoughts? Shout outs? Words of wisdom?
Shout out to you guys for featuring me! Thank you so much for the hometown support and having me on MiddleTennesseeMusic.com!! - Joshua (J.Smo) Smotherman

Toni Baldwin grew up in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, but then moved to Atlanta in middle school. She kind of grew up around music as her aunt was a trumpet player. Toni began writing songs and studying music in the 3rd grade. She dabbled a bit with trumpet, piano, and drums, but guitar quickly became her first love.

Toni started her own record label, (Fine Mess Records http://www.finemessrecords.com) in 2007 and released her debut single and EP, Contra, in 2013. "I wanted to control how I was marketed and the way I created, I still do. I would still love to work with a big label and have that kind of backing, but not at the cost of my values or my vision," says Toni.

Toni gets a lot of inspiration from The Maine, Lorde, LOLAWOLF, and Halsey. Her favorite musicians are Halsey, The Weeknd, Miley Cyrus, Panic! at the Disco, and G-Eazy. She has been said by her comrades that she has the most random playlist.

On her Record, she only collaborated with friends that she went to school with. Every single person that worked on it, Toni had class with. She hasn't actually collaborated with anyone else, but shes super excited to collab with artists given that she has a lot of friends in the music industry.

When Toni first started making music she wanted to make pop music that you’d hear on Disney. But, she was also 14. Now, she wants to make music with cool vibes. Music like Wafia or Lorde.

Toni has big dreams of performing in the US, at big venues such as Madison Square Garden and then overseas, at the O2 Arena.
We wanted to ask Toni a question that kinda gives us insight on some of her views, so we asked:

BLKTC: "Is America so superficial that the best lyrical artists are surpassed and outsold by generic mainstream artists?"
Toni: "I don’t think people are superficial for liking the music that they like, but I think underground artists and their music deserve so much more recognition."

Toni has been making music her whole life. Her mom knew that music was something that she had wanted to pursue. So Toni's mother actually moved to Atlanta so that Toni could go to North Atlanta High School, which has an amazing performing arts program.

Toni definitely separates herself from other artists like that. She writes all of her own music. Not all artists do that so that’s different nowadays because people don’t usually do that now.

Toni has some musical possessions, but the most important item that she has is a brown guitar that her mom got for her at a flea market. She believes it to be the most beautiful thing in the world.

Dream Collaboration: Justin Timberlake | Last track listened to: “CRZY” by Kehlani - BLKTICKETCONCEPT

1. Introduce yourself and give a fun fact about you.

Hi, I'm Toni Baldwin and I'm a singer. A fun fact about me is that I'm obsessed with playing The Sims.

2. How would you describe your musical style?

My musical style is pretty different. It's definitely rock, but it can have either an indie, alternative, or a pop edge to it.

3. Your new single “Bang, Bang” just came out, how has the reaction been? You mentioned on your blog that it’s about encouraging the younger generation to stand up and make a change, will this be a recurring theme throughout your upcoming debut album?

So far the reaction to "Bang, Bang" has been AWESOME! So many people are liking it and I'm hoping that it starts a little more of a conversation. Even though this is the lead single from the album, it's actually the only song like this on the album. The rest of them are actually about love. A few of my friends have compared the writing and the lyrical content to Adele's 21 album so it's about love but it's also showing a journey.

4. Will you be touring/playing any shows before/after your album comes out?

Right now I'm in the studio finishing up the album but I'm hoping to go on tour after the album comes out and to play some smaller or more intimate shows through out the rest of the year after the release.

5. Besides advocating for positive change in the world, what are some other messages that you hope to convey through your music?

I want to convey that ANYTHING is possible. It sounds super cliche but literally I went from singing my lyrics over Taylor Swift karaoke tracks, to arranging and composing my own songs. I'm a big advocate of being yourself and doing what makes you happy. If I want to get on stage and dance around in a leotard, I should be able to do that because it's what makes me happy. Pleasing everyone is never something I'm going to attempt.

6. Where do you get inspiration to write songs? Is there any major influence from other artists?

I write all of my own music. I've written over 700 songs and I'm inspired by my life, my friends' lives, my family's lives. I get lyrical content just from personal experience. But when it comes to the music itself, I take a lot of inspiration from Lorde, Adele, Fefe Dobson, and Miley Cyrus.

7. If you had the opportunity to collaborate with any artist in the world (past or present), who would you want to collaborate with?

I would absolutely LOVE to collaborate with Lorde. She is so insanely talented!

8. As mentioned earlier your debut album comes out later this year, talk about the recording process; was working with a producer different than recording on your own? How did you choose which songs to put on the album and which to put to the side?

I've always worked with an engineer and that's it. I do have producer to produce the band elements, but I have final say in all of it. I'm very much a part of that process. My process is basically to write the song, record an acoustic demo, start building the track, and then once the track is done, head into the studio and record the vocals and any guitars that need to be completed. I chose the songs because I wrote all of them specifically for this album. I released my debut EP in 2013 and I spent all of 2014 in a life transition. All of these songs show from beginning to end how my 2014 went. I think I scrapped maybe 2 songs and those were actually cover songs of Miley Cyrus and Lindsay Lohan.

9. When did you realize you wanted to pursue a career in music?

I've always been a musical kid. My aunt was in band, my grandparents gave me all types of instruments, and my mom always taught me that I could do anything I wanted to do if I could figure out how to do it successfully. I was maybe in 1st grade. I would put on concerts at recess and I always had dreams of being a popstar. Once Hannah Montana came on Disney Channel I was like "yeah this is it. I want THAT." So I don't want to be a "pop" star per-say, but I want to tour and sell out shows.

10. If it wasn’t for music what would you be doing?

If it wasn't for music, I would be like any other 19 year old kid and I would be in college. More than likely studying either political science or anthropology.

11. Anything you want to say to your fans or just in general?

To my beautiful Contras, I love you all so much! Thank you so much for all your amazing support over the past year and I can't wait for you to hear Veins!! - Jess Palatucci

Atlanta based 19 year old singer/songwriter Toni Baldwin unveils her rather promising new track titled ‘Bang, Bang’, out now via her very own record label Fine Mess Records.

The self thought musician began writing songs and studying music in the 3rd grade. Toni recalls: “It’s really funny, I still remember the first song I ever wrote and recorded. It was called ‘Toys For Mics’. I really don’t remember what it was about, if it even had a real subject. It was just something I came up with on my keyboard and recorded it in one take with a tape recorder”…Her new album, ‘Veins’, is to be released this year.

Can you tell us 5 things we should know about Toni Baldwin?

I write all of my own music, I do graphic design, I’m self-taught on guitar, I always wear a ring on my right hand just to wear (no special meanings), and by 19 I owned 7 companies.toni baldwin4For the readers who haven’t heard you before how would you describe your sound?

I would describe my sound as a mix between Lorde and older Miley Cyrus with a hint of Paramore.

What’s the idea behind your debut single ‘Bang, Bang’?

I wrote “Bang, Bang” in September of 2014. There was (and still is) SO much going on in the world and teenagers and young adults are more worried about social media and a false reality than they are what’s really happening in the world. The problem with this fact is that WE ARE THE FUTURE. There are so many young people who are trying to make a difference in the world, BUT there are also more out there who aren’t. “Bang, Bang” is literally saying it’s time for this generation to start a revolution in the sense that we can be the people to CHANGE the world. The title comes from the word “bang” being used to describe a loud sound because this generation can make a HUGE sound as far as the future goes whether it be voting or just being a friend to someone who needs it. BE the change you want to see in the world.

Can you talk about your debut album?

YES! My debut album is titled Veins and it’ll be out later this year. It’s a breakup record, but it tells more stories than just a break up. It tells the before, the aftermath, the moving on aspects of all of it. I’m really excited about it because I write to get through times in my life and I wrote this entire album in about 3 months with the exception of 2 songs which were written right before recording.toni baldwin5Who are your biggest influences?

Miley Cyrus is my biggest influence, I love how she just does what she wants. But my other influences are mainly Lorde, Kanye, Alexz Johnson, and my favorite band, The Maine.

Which band or artist would you most like to support given the chance?

If I had to open for an artist, probably Taylor Swift, she seems really fun to be around. As for a band, The Maine definitely.

What are your plans this year?

My plans for this year currently are to finish my album, release it, and tour and promote the hell out of it. I want to reach as many people as possible. - Fabrizio Belluschi for FAME Magazine