Here’s the final episode featuring TOY here on Focus on the 615! “A Closer Look @ TOY” features live performance clips from here in Nashville at the Mercy Lounge during Jingle Ball on December 5th, 2011, along with an interview to get to know the band better! Be sure to watch the video below!
Trust me on this, THIS IS THE BAND TO WATCH! They are going places and you can be one of the first to discover their music. Head to their website: www.toymusicbox.com to find out more and hear more great music by TOY!
Here’s the 3rd episode in the continuing interview series about pop/rock band, TOY, entitled “A Closer Look @ TOY”. Featuring live performance clips along with the video interview.
Well, I’m on a roll lately and pumping out these articles. Let’s continue with the video series “A Closer Look @ TOY”! I think you’ll like this pop/rock band. You’ll have to forgive my camerawork during the interview part. I couldn’t seem to keep it steady! lol
Hands down across all genres, my absolute favorite album of the year is this debut release from newly-formed pop/rock band, TOY. It has literally NOT left my car cd player since I got it Monday night until now when I have to look at it to make sure that I’ve got everything right from it for this review.
Rarely does an album come along that grabs you and takes hold of you like this one! How do I begin to describe it and do it the justice that it deserves? If you take the best parts of Evanescence, Lady Gaga, and Florence & The Machine, then created something new and original from those musical influences, you would then have TOY. At least, what I think best describes them! They are high energy, dance, rock, pop, electronic with a dark, edgy sound.
All songs on the album are original and written by TOY.
Full Track List:
1) “Uh Oh”: This one put me most in mind of Lady Gaga, but they aren’t trying to imitate. Uptempo, dancy, edgy.
2) “Ghost”: Dark, uptempo, and my favorite lyrically. One of my favorites overall. I can listen to this one over and over without tiring.
3) “Give It To Me”: Again, uptempo, high energy…another that I don’t tire of hearing. Best listened to in the car where you can crank if WAY up and not disturb the neighbors!
4) “Music Box”: Dark, melodic, and hard rock edginess at it’s best.
5) “Traffic Signs”: This one starts with a lot of electronic adds and build-up to the actual song. Very dark and edgy. Almost a tribal sound. Enthralling–lyrically and musically.
6) “Flying High”: My absolute favorite off this album! Uptempo, electronic, dance, rock…builds up to a frenzy. Even better live! Watch the video of this below and listen to the crowd being built into a frenzy midway through as they scream with excitement.
7) “Night Hunters”: This one makes me want to get up and dance. Seriously, there’s not a weak one on the album. Not one!
The only downside for me was I wanted MORE than 7 songs on this album. It’s just that good! It left me wanting much more and I want to see them live again soon. They are riveting, charismatic, high energy, and a breath of fresh air. If you like pure and powerful vocals mixed with excellent musicianship, deep & thought-provoking writing, then TOY is for you! THIS is a band that is better experienced live. The album is GREAT, the live show will blow you away! It is like a tidal wave of energy flowing over the room when they take the stage. Your attention will be captured and held until they leave the stage, which you don’t want to happen. This band is going places!
Anyway, my point is GET THE ALBUM! Request it from their site and if they come to a town near you, GO! You won’t be disappointed! Enough said.
It was a night of an eclectic mix of music and holiday fun at Mercy Lounge on Monday December 5. As the holiday leg of BMI’s “8 off 8th” series, 10 artists took to the “Jingle Ball” stage to showcase awesome talent and spread live and loud holiday cheer.
The crowd size varied throughout the night, but was wildly excited the entire time. Each artist only played for 15 minutes, which meant frequent breaks… not entirely ideal for a showcase; however, the incredible talent easily overshadowed the intermittent waiting periods.
First on the bill was Devious Angels, an acoustic duo composed of “Steevie” Steeves and Jon Decious. Their self-proclaimed “homegrown sentiment meets dive bar attitude” showed through as their country sound and rock edge drew the crowd towards the stage.
Next on stage was Yellowire, a band that came all the way from England. After a great up-tempo start, front man Ol Beach switched from guitar to piano for a couple mid-tempo electro acoustic anthems with a sound fit for festivals.
Following the British rockers were the “Road to Bonnaroo” winners, Uncle Skeleton. The ensemble had no less than 10 people on stage, including three violins front and center, a horn section, a couple keyboards and guitars. The first couple songs had no words, just a mass collection of groovy sound. The band ended with a jamming cover of Wonderful Christmas Time.
No one could quite prepare for what came next: YouTube sensation Human Snow Globe. Yes, the name speaks for itself, it was a man in an inflatable bubble (accompanied by far too many “inflation” jokes) with fake snow and Christmas lights. Nothing more needs to be said, you can check it out here.
Changing pace again, rapper Chancellor Warhol took the stage. With turntables, a drum kit and a couple backup singers, Warhol brought the house down, frequently jumping down in front of the stage and up on the speakers. His smooth flow, clever punch lines and catchy hooks definitely made this kid something to watch.
Nashville natives Colorfeels provided an instrumentally and vocally riveting performance next. Several members of the band were multi-instrumentalists, and one included such diversity as a clarinet, a flute and a xylophone. Their slower numbers were pleasant and whimsically musical while their upbeat songs had the crowd on its feet with an inventive plethora of sound.
One of the most-talked-about acts of the day was The Kicks. Mixing classic, old school rock style with modern rock sensibilities and three-piece harmonies, these guys were superb. Think Rolling Stones meets Boston with an alternative twist. Three songs didn’t seem to do them justice, though keeping the spirit alive, they finished with a Christmas original.
Maybe it was because The Kicks blew everyone away, or maybe it was because the upcoming front man was slightly bizarre and mildly off-color, but Brandon Jazz and His Armed Forces did not resonate as a stand out act of the evening. However, the talent on stage was obvious, and the performance was high energy with smoke, lights, and a slew of people dancing down front. One song was an electronic/rock/rap hybrid, containing a synthesizer sample of Paul Simon’s Bodyguard.
The second to last band of the evening was Focus on the 615 friends TOY. Their dark, electronic rock sound with lead vocals by Alana Grace was nothing short of kick-ass. Instead of writing more about them here, check back for a more in-depth look at TOY featuring an exclusive interview from the evening!
Closing the evening (at whatever hour it may have been) was merging stars The Co. An incredible piano track mixed with powerful vocals to make memorable tunes that will no doubt land this Nashville band on the airwaves. With upbeat tunes such as Keep It Together and more personal numbers such as How to Say Goodbye, The CO was a great way to end the night.
“8 off 8th,” is BMI’s free weekly showcase held every Monday night at Mercy Lounge. Hosted by a rotating lineup of music community impresarios, each night features several local (and sometimes nationally touring) artists and serves as ground zero for Nashville’s bourgeoning indie rock scene.
TOY–This newly-formed pop/rock band kicks butt and if I described them any other way, I wouldn’t be doing them justice!
I would describe their music as dark, edgy, rock, dance, and electronic all rolled into one. They’ve got a sound all their own led by the pure, soaring, ethereal vocals of Alana Grace (reminiscent of Amy Lee of Evanescence) and backed by 3/4 of the members of After Midnight Project, who are high energy, charismatic and skilled musicians. The blending of the 4 members that form TOY creates a sound that is truly unique, high energy, and one that is best experienced live for the full effect!
Focus on the 615 recently caught up with TOY, who are based out of Los Angeles, for a show at Mercy Lounge for the BMI “Jingle Ball”. See what they have to say and hear some clips from the show in the video below. Come back next week to hear more!
Also, I can’t think of a better time to introduce Matt Williams to our Focus on the 615 readers/viewers! Matt has just joined Focus on the 615 as marketing director, but will also be an on-air interviewer, as well as, a contributing writer here. I’m excited to have Matt on-board with us! He brings enthusiasm, professionalism, and a fresh perspective to the site. I only see great things coming as a result of the addition of Matt to Focus on the 615! You’ll see him interviewing TOY in the video below!
Find out all about them right here in this exclusive interview with Focus on the 615!
You are probably wondering why exactly I’m writing about Los Angeles-based rock band, TOY, on here since this is a blog about Nashville, but this band definitely has a Nashville connection and, most importantly, they ROCK! They definitely belong right here on Focus on the 615 where we feature only the best!
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Here’s the final episode featuring TOY here on Focus on the 615! “A Closer Look @ TOY” features live performance clips from here in Nashville at the Mercy Lounge during Jingle Ball on December 5th, 2011, along with an interview to get to know the band better! Be sure to watch the video below!
