After releasing the full-length “Weekends” in 2020 (released via Wicked Wax in Amsterdam), a string of singles, collaborative projects, and EPs in 2021, Jonny Tobin releases another full-length solo album “Together” to kick off 2022. Facing isolation and loneliness (as many people in the world did throughout 2020), the album is a collection of tracks that Jonny made to channel negative feelings into something hopeful and forward-looking.

While the album was created without any other collaborators, many of the tracks on the album relate back to an experience that personally inspired Jonny, or to a connection with someone else. “Take Your Time” was an evolution of a Masego remix contest submission from the summer of 2020 (while Jonny didn’t win the contest, he received a memorable shoutout from Masego on Instagram). On “What I Didn’t Do”, Jonny features a clip from friend and fellow musician William Chernoff speaking about unrealized potential and some of the negative self-talk that can hold people back. “Vivid Dreams” also features vocals by way of a chopped lead vocal from the Jonny Tobin-produced track “Mars” by Janette King. Closing off the album is the introspective track “Leonidus”, which was born out of a beat Jonny created for Loop Sessions, a monthly beatmakers hang. The track expanded into a tribute to Jonny’s friend Leonidus Edwards who passed away suddenly in 2021.

“Together” represents Jonny’s response to all the tragedy, despair, and grief of the past 2 years - holding space for those emotions but also seeking to provide glimmers of optimism with an almost playful delight, as the compositions encapsulate his bright outlook on the world. 

credits:

all production, mixing - Jonny Tobin
album mastering - Shaquille Headley (The Drum Temple)

"What I Didn't Do" features Will Chernoff (spoken) and a sample of Thad Bailey-Mai playing rhodes from Will Chernoff's song "Reliable Friend".

"Vivid Dreams" features a vocal sample from Janette King's song "Mars".

"Leonidus" features spoken words from Leonidus Edwards in some of our final conversations before his passing. Love you and miss you my brother.

Neon Afterglow

GRAMMY and JUNO nominated keys player/producer

chelsea fc, comic & movie nerd, cyclist/runner, amc stubs a-lister ᨒ↟𖠰 🏳️‍🌈🌎♉️

Shûgo Nozaki (野崎 秀吾) is a contents syncretist, the founder and owner of AOI Future, an independent music label dedicated to discovering and nurturing emerging artists.