New Studio Album "Destination" is here.
October 2022 - debuted at #10 on the Australian Blues and Roots Airplay Charts.
Download here:
toniswain.bandcamp.com
Toni Swain has been in the studio recording her 4th album. With musicians Hamish Stuart (drums), Hal Tupaea (bass), Roy Payne (guitar) and George Bibicos (keys). Backing vocals Ray Beadle and Chris E Thomas. Horns Matt Keegan James Greening and Paul Panichi.
The album has nine original tunes which showcase Toni's songwriting skills, and of course, these world class musicians. Blues, soul, r & b. Released August 2022.
From Toni:
Its a bittersweet release, as we lost our cherished friend and guitarist, Roy Payne on 16th July, a week before the album was due for release and 2 weeks before our NZ tour. Roy never heard the finished album. He will be terribly missed.
Destination is dedicated to my beloved Roy.
RIP Roydon Titian Payne
19/6/1968 - 16/7/2022
"The best blues singer in Australia" (G. Brugmans, The Beat)
"Sensational performer, an outstanding voice to fall in love with, sophisticated songs. Toni Swain is the full package" (Lou Murphy, Artist Stable)
"Toni Swain finds that spot in my musical love life marked Bonnie Raitt and Shelby Lynne." (Bernard Zuel, Sydney Morning Herald)
"Soul, R&B, jazz singers, all strain for that money shot, the clear, clarion note that graces a song, that gives it that final, killer touch. Toni Swain delivers that all the way through every song when she performs. Her voice and bearing are those of an old fashioned chanteuse of the highest order..." (Mick Daley, The Re-Mains)
“Few performers in Australia can match Toni Swain...her musicianship and stage presence is awesome enough; then, there’s her voice which reaches right in and grabs you by the heart and soul. Her sets are built around solid rhythms that rollick and sway while the songs provide a distinctive spotlight on everyday life. She is that good, she makes it look easy.”
Bones and Greg Mackinnon
‘The Shed’, Maryknoll
The Swamp Dog Show - 3SER, 97.7FM
"Sensational album..."Deepest Water" showcases an artist who stands alone for presenting an outpouring of emotion through the beauty of her smooth and classy vocal style."
Julie Fox
Sydney Blues Society
"GREAT album"
John Klose, Blues by the Bay 100.3FM
"Incredible voice....beautiful album"
Kelly Fuller, ABC New England North West
"Toni Swain owned the room here...a huge captivating voice that lit up the place with charming, catchy originals, and a mix of beautifully played covers, that she made her own.."
Dave Jenkins (The Wine Club, Kyneton)
"Defies categorization" Rhythms Magazine
"Sensational performer, an outstanding voice to fall in love with, sophisticated songs. Toni Swain is the full package" (Lou Murphy, Artist Stable)
"Toni Swain finds that spot in my musical love life marked Bonnie Raitt and Shelby Lynne." (Bernard Zuel, Sydney Morning Herald)
"Soul, R&B, jazz singers, all strain for that money shot, the clear, clarion note that graces a song, that gives it that final, killer touch. Toni Swain delivers that all the way through every song when she performs. Her voice and bearing are those of an old fashioned chanteuse of the highest order..." (Mick Daley, The Re-Mains)
“Few performers in Australia can match Toni Swain...her musicianship and stage presence is awesome enough; then, there’s her voice which reaches right in and grabs you by the heart and soul. Her sets are built around solid rhythms that rollick and sway while the songs provide a distinctive spotlight on everyday life. She is that good, she makes it look easy.”
Bones and Greg Mackinnon
‘The Shed’, Maryknoll
The Swamp Dog Show - 3SER, 97.7FM
"Sensational album..."Deepest Water" showcases an artist who stands alone for presenting an outpouring of emotion through the beauty of her smooth and classy vocal style."
Julie Fox
Sydney Blues Society
"GREAT album"
John Klose, Blues by the Bay 100.3FM
"Incredible voice....beautiful album"
Kelly Fuller, ABC New England North West
"Toni Swain owned the room here...a huge captivating voice that lit up the place with charming, catchy originals, and a mix of beautifully played covers, that she made her own.."
Dave Jenkins (The Wine Club, Kyneton)
"Defies categorization" Rhythms Magazine
Biography
Toni listened to her Dad’s Jazzband in Perth as a young child, danced and sang along to the vinyl collection at home – Joni, Ella, Stevie, Etta, Michael, Donny, rock n roll, country, pop, soul; an eclectic mix that influenced her song writing from the beginning. Her first instrument of choice was the drums, and with an older sister learning piano, Toni copied everything she heard, learning to play by ear. Guitar came next, which provided mobility in performance. Toni wrote her first tune aged 11, then proceeded to record it using 2 cassette decks, laying down drums, piano, vocals and guitar. At 13 she was busking in Hay Street Mall, confident enough in her songs to sing them loudly to the world, Working all through her high school years she saved up enough money for a ticket overseas, and went backpacking through the U.S, U.K , Germany and Eastern Europe with pots and pans and guitar slung from her shoulders, playing little restaurants in Turkey and Greece for room and food, or busking in Cologne square, anywhere! The busking was integral to Toni's development of her strong and beautiful voice. Back in Australia and now 19 Toni went on on the road with a rock opera band, touring the eastern coast. A life time of live shows, touring and recording followed in Australia and overseas.
Toni has produced 3 albums and 3 EP’s to date. “Deepest Water” (2016) skyrocketed to number 2 on the Blues & Roots Charts on release. She also made Spotify’s Top 20 for “Women who Rock Oz”. Her 4th studio album is due for release October 2021.
Rhythms Magazine describes Toni’s music as “a glorious fusion of blues, r & b, soul and jazz….it defies categorization”. There is a sophistication in her original compositions, always delivered with style and panache, and that incredible voice! The true art in Toni’s music lies in her live performance, where humility and subtlety bridle at odds with an unstoppable force of nature – that voice, that clarion-rising. Just when you think you’re on easy street riding a tested hook and a melody, Toni takes it all to a higher place, its rightful place, and suddenly everything is well with the world, for that one perfect and unforgettable moment in song.
To hear Toni Swain live is to fall in love with a voice and a soul swelling with warmth and the urge to rise joyfully above our every-days.
For all booking & publicity enquiries contact Lou Murphy Artist Stable, Melbourne via email: loumurphy@outlook.com.au
Toni has produced 3 albums and 3 EP’s to date. “Deepest Water” (2016) skyrocketed to number 2 on the Blues & Roots Charts on release. She also made Spotify’s Top 20 for “Women who Rock Oz”. Her 4th studio album is due for release October 2021.
Rhythms Magazine describes Toni’s music as “a glorious fusion of blues, r & b, soul and jazz….it defies categorization”. There is a sophistication in her original compositions, always delivered with style and panache, and that incredible voice! The true art in Toni’s music lies in her live performance, where humility and subtlety bridle at odds with an unstoppable force of nature – that voice, that clarion-rising. Just when you think you’re on easy street riding a tested hook and a melody, Toni takes it all to a higher place, its rightful place, and suddenly everything is well with the world, for that one perfect and unforgettable moment in song.
To hear Toni Swain live is to fall in love with a voice and a soul swelling with warmth and the urge to rise joyfully above our every-days.
For all booking & publicity enquiries contact Lou Murphy Artist Stable, Melbourne via email: loumurphy@outlook.com.au
