Toy Soldiers hails from Philly and is a major reason that I have such a profound faith in the future of Philadelphia’s music scene. The group blends elements of folk, delta blues; soul and honest rock n roll with a quirky sense of mirth and showmanship. The seemingly unassuming band has a loyal following in the city and a new album, The Maybe Boys, coming out in the Spring. I was able to do a quick interview with the band and there’s no maybe about it, they are making great music and about to take off.
-How does your recent win of the Tristate Indie awards feel right before the release of your new album?
It feels good! It's always a nice when you get a little pat on the back like this from time to time. It keeps us going and to know thousands of people voted for us makes us even more anxious to get this record out!
-You release your first full length album The Maybe Boys this spring, how will this album be different from your previous EPs? Where/When will that be available?
"The Maybe Boys" release is still a work in progress. The album is done and we've just begun proper planning on how to release it. It's looking like it may get pushed back until the fall, BUT! there will be some creative ways for people to get the record early, and some other things coming out leading up to the release which we will announce shortly. One of these things is the first ever film made about us called "The Maybe Trails". It's a tour documentary made by Seth Klinger about our tour last march, we did the whole soundtrack (featuring tracks from "The Maybe Boys") and score ourselves. The film premieres at our next show on April 19th at Johnny Brenda's.
In almost every way this does feel like our first record, though it's not ("Whisper Down the Lane" came out in 2011). I think we finally have something definitive for the band, something we can hand someone and say, "this is it" and feel good about it.
-The band has evolved quite a bit over the years, how do you think recording with Bill Moriarty (responsible for the rise of Dr. Dog and Man Man in the Philly Music Scene) has affected the dynamic?
Working with Bill was like the fine lacquer put on a wooden sculpture of a hurricane monster and other pretentious, nonsensical metaphors that I made up. Bill really helped sculpt and guide the band. His biggest philosophy in the studio is "to maximize the talent of the people in the room". He wanted to bring the most out of the 5 of us. Sometimes we we're all singing and playing parts on instruments we weren't familiar with but it worked. We sound like the record now, a lot of it was done live, and hopefully we got the live energy across.
-The band won the Independent Music Awards in the Blues Song category for your song "Throw Me Down" tell me about what blues artists have influenced your sound and what other influences you pull from musically.
All delta blues, Ray Charles, Otis Redding, Jeff Buckley, Dr. John, Link Wray, SUN Records, etc.
-Tell the Teller is an awesome song; tell me a little about the writing process behind that song and the video concept.
Well thank you! I was living in a little apartment by myself at the time so not sure where the idea came from but I may have been thinking about the other guys in the band. It's basically about being a traveling musician and how that differs from I guess a "normal" schedule. Your girl walks in the front door from work as you're on your way out and the songs about some imaginary place where you can meet up along the way.
When I brought it to the band we all really kicked it up a notch into the song it is now.
The video is just us on the road, having a good time, which I guess is what it's all about!
-What is the band’s favorite venue to play in Philly and why?
Our favorite shows are the up close and sweatiest ones, but we like different venues for different things. When we play downstairs at World Cafe we know the sound is going to be top notch, but it's a different kind of show then say Johnny Brenda's or Kung Fu Necktie where things tend to get pretty rowdy.
-Describe the best thing about Philadelphia music fans:
Not afraid to dance.
-Most memorable show for Toy Soldiers in Philadelphia and why?
I always think back to us closing out the 2011 2nd Street Festival. Everyone flocked down to the stage before we went on as the sun was going down and people literally made us play every single song we could think of that we knew. It was awesome.
-Describe the goals and aspirations with this new album and for Toy Soldiers in general:
Take this album on the road and try and build up the country a bit and get it out to people all over. Then eventually go platinum, which I think is anything that sells more than 500 copies these days.
www.ohnotoysoldiers.com
