In this series I will be exploring albums that had a great influence on my musical development.

Jean Baudin’s Mechanisms is consists entirely of solo performances. The instrument Jean plays has 11 strings and does not easily fit into the category of either bass guitar or guitar. With this unique instrument he makes music that breaks fresh conceptual territory in a genre that is polluted by the constant presence of empty virtuosity. The music on Mechanisms escapes the ghetto of solo guitar/bass music and moves through a impressive range of emotions: at times dark, melancholy and finally transcendent.

One of the ways the album influenced me was the wide variety of sounds Baudin uses. The obvious examples being the effects that are used to colour the sound of the bass either modifying, or entirely transforming it. The sound of Baduin’s instrument is so unusual that even his uncoloured tone sounds futuristic.

Mechanisms showed me that instrumental music can go to a place that words can’t and that one instrument can have the power of many.

You can purchase this album from: http://www.jeanbaudin.com/store.html

The DYLEMA Collective is a musical project I have been a part of since it’s inception in 2016. The group encompasses a wide variety of influences and styles which make playing in this band a unique and challenging experience for me. The fact that the project is still going strong for one year with big plans for the future is a great surprise to me. I can remember when David (drums) pitched the idea of getting together and jamming with some people I only really said yes out of politeness as I was not familiar with any of the musical touchstones he mentioned. Having had a band I had earnestly tried to setup implode I was not in the mood to commit myself to something new. My decision to stay was essentially made after our first rehearsal there was real chemistry in the jams we did and I was hooked.

To give you some idea of what we sound like here is some footage from a show last year for Sofar Sounds London:

Playing in The DYLEMA Collective has been full of surprises both musical and spiritual and has really forced me to push myself as a player to try and bring something unique and fresh to the music. I have high hopes for the future and have no idea where this journey will take me.

DYLEMA: Do You Let Every Man Adapt.

Toby

As you may be aware The DYLEMA Collective are currently on tour in the UK. The shows we have done so far have been exciting and we have had the privileged to play to receptive and open minded audiences. Below is a revised list of tour dates:

Playing in this band is a honour and a joy for me, the people I work with are all exceptional and force me to raise my game every night.

I will see you on the road.

Toby