toni swain
NEW ALBUM>>>>>UPDATE, MAY 2022. 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) this is going to be killer! Nine original tunes which showcase Toni's songwriting skills, and of course, these world class musicians. Blues, soul, r & b. Due for release October 2019. Stay tuned.
STAGE PLOT - FOR TONI SWAIN BAND 5 PIECE:
Interviews and reviews
ABC Radio National - Lucky Oceans Daily Planet Feb 23rd 2016. Deepest Water is Feature Album, listen to the show here...
http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/dailyplanet/toni-swain---%27deepest-water%27/7190926
Wairarapa Times, NZ, story by Nathan Crombie here:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/wairarapa-times-age/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503414&objectid=11399484
http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/dailyplanet/toni-swain---%27deepest-water%27/7190926
Wairarapa Times, NZ, story by Nathan Crombie here:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/wairarapa-times-age/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503414&objectid=11399484
Sydney Morning Herald Review by Bernard Zuel December 2015
http://m.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/music-reviews-new-albums-from-dylan-joel-toni-swain-chewee-adam-simmons-and-more-20151218-glko5o.html
http://m.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/music-reviews-new-albums-from-dylan-joel-toni-swain-chewee-adam-simmons-and-more-20151218-glko5o.html
Sydney Blues Society album Review by Julie Fox - November 2015
"Following on from the very successful debut release of The Red Shed in 2014, Toni Swain has just released her latest recording, Deepest Water, and what a sensational album this one is.
Submerge yourself in the classy vocals and beautiful fusion of soul, jazz and R&B that rocks and sways throughout this 12 track self-penned album to experience the tranquil, yet uplifting outpouring from a very polished performer and her talented band.
Beautifully recorded and mixed by Michael Lynch, with Roy Payne on guitar, George Brugmans (drums), Mike Rix (double bass) and George Bibicos on keyboards. Add backing vocals by Mitchell Anderson and Jeremy Edwards and you have one helluva band!
Apart from the high standard of the song writing, it is Toni’s vocal range that sends shivers down your spine; from those sweet, smooth notes on the first two tracks, Take Me Away and Biggest Fish to the jazzy approach on the title track, Deepest Water, we experience just how talented and professional this lady is. I might add the energetic and dynamic guitar and keyboard playing are exceptional on Deepest Water; rocking and rollicking along with Toni keeping pace, before lifting those vocals, and us, to a much higher place.
While quite a few of the numbers are so smooth you feel like dimming the lights and pouring that glass of red, Toni and her band occasionally change direction; one example being Ten Days, lifting the pace with a jazzy/samba style. Another is Isla Mae; definitely a rock n roll number, with some great guitar licks, solid drumming and steady bass behind the lyrics: “we’ll keep the music playing, or she’ll be hollerin’ for more.” Breathe is straight out of those old underground jazz dens; smooth, swaying musical perfection!
There are just so many musical moods within this first class package, but overall I would say Deepest Water showcases an artist who stands alone for presenting an outpouring of emotion through the beauty of her smooth and classy vocal style."
"Following on from the very successful debut release of The Red Shed in 2014, Toni Swain has just released her latest recording, Deepest Water, and what a sensational album this one is.
Submerge yourself in the classy vocals and beautiful fusion of soul, jazz and R&B that rocks and sways throughout this 12 track self-penned album to experience the tranquil, yet uplifting outpouring from a very polished performer and her talented band.
Beautifully recorded and mixed by Michael Lynch, with Roy Payne on guitar, George Brugmans (drums), Mike Rix (double bass) and George Bibicos on keyboards. Add backing vocals by Mitchell Anderson and Jeremy Edwards and you have one helluva band!
Apart from the high standard of the song writing, it is Toni’s vocal range that sends shivers down your spine; from those sweet, smooth notes on the first two tracks, Take Me Away and Biggest Fish to the jazzy approach on the title track, Deepest Water, we experience just how talented and professional this lady is. I might add the energetic and dynamic guitar and keyboard playing are exceptional on Deepest Water; rocking and rollicking along with Toni keeping pace, before lifting those vocals, and us, to a much higher place.
While quite a few of the numbers are so smooth you feel like dimming the lights and pouring that glass of red, Toni and her band occasionally change direction; one example being Ten Days, lifting the pace with a jazzy/samba style. Another is Isla Mae; definitely a rock n roll number, with some great guitar licks, solid drumming and steady bass behind the lyrics: “we’ll keep the music playing, or she’ll be hollerin’ for more.” Breathe is straight out of those old underground jazz dens; smooth, swaying musical perfection!
There are just so many musical moods within this first class package, but overall I would say Deepest Water showcases an artist who stands alone for presenting an outpouring of emotion through the beauty of her smooth and classy vocal style."
Sydney Blues Society September mag - review of "The Red Shed" by Julie Fox
THE SYDNEY BLUES SOCIETY
www.sydneyblues.org
CD Reviews
Toni Swain
The Red Shed
(8 tracks, 32 minutes)
www.toniswain.com
Well if ever you needed
convincing that networking
is a success on Facebook, just look who I found! Living
the quieter, creative, life in the small town of
Nundle – not far from Tamworth; none other than Toni
Swain!
This lady used to regularly drop into the Sydney Blues
Society’s monthly jam sessions many years ago; blowing
us all away with her beautiful, yet powerful vocals.
She also fronted her own very popular band around the
venues in Sydney and down the south coast.
Then one day Toni just disappeared. A hole was definitely
created in the music scene; her fans all wondering
what had become of her.
Now when I said Toni Swain was living a “creative
life” in Nundle, this is an understatement. As Toni
says in her bio; “I love to cook and especially enjoy
making preserves with a little bit of a kick.” Her project:
Picket Fence Produce is all about “using as much
home grown produce as possible” – growing fruit and
vegetables on her 2 acre property in Nundle. These are
sold at local markets, as well as through her own catering
business to small groups in Nundle and the surrounding
area.
Not content with this, Toni also helped establish
Nundle Rocks – The Home of Alt Country, within her
local pub, The Peel Inn. This festival has gone from
strength to strength, and is also where she met up again
with a very old friend; Jeremy Edwards and his Dust
Radio Band.
Long story short, they put their creative heads together;
Toni wrote 8 new songs and now I am pleased to tell
you Toni is also back on the music scene. Better than
ever, and with her debut album; The Red Shed. And
what a brilliant album this is: Jazz, rock n roll, blues,
soul and country; something for everyone.
Recorded at Jeremy Edward’s own Dust Radio Studios
we have a who’s who of Sydney’s top musos helping
Toni out; Jeremy on guitars, Roy Payne, guitars and
pedal & lap steel, Mike Rix, electric and upright bass,
George Brugmans, drums and percussion, Hal Tupaea,
bass, Rob Woolf, keyboards, Tony’s dad, Murray
Swain on trumpet, and of course, Toni Swain on vocals
and acoustic guitar. No wonder this album is brilliant!
Just to give you an indication of Toni’s vocal style -
think Bonnie Raitt. That slight touch of country with
her blues – a magic combination! Such a sweet, clear,
yet powerful voice, full of conviction and feeling.
None more so than in the opening track; Open Up –
telling the story of life’s struggles in a dry, hot countryside
– waiting for the rains.
Faded to Grey showcases Toni’s easy, jazz style with
some lovely guitar picking and a nice shuffle drum
beat from George.
A New Orleans/jazz/swing style is produced on The
Knot with Murray Swain playing trumpet, Mike Rix on
upright bass and Toni playing around with some very
good scat singing.
Hold onto your Horses is a heartfelt country ballad
with a very definite Bonnie Raitt feel. Beautiful lap
steel playing from Roy Payne.
“50 Bucks don’t get you much these days”. Life’s big
decisions....a new start in life, after leaving the man
causing her so much pain. That’s the blues!
“Do what you do, Naturally...say what you say and
make it real” is the central theme around this punchy,
funky number, with some nice keyboards from Rob
Woolf.
Buddy’s got some Steel is the rock n roll number that
would have anyone up on their feet.
Closing this first class album is Saving Face; a heartfelt
love song with some lovely slide playing, complementing
Toni’s plaintive vocals beautifully.
Welcome Toni Swain back onto the music scene by
checking out her website, buying a copy of The Red
Shed and taking note of a gig being played near you –
there are a lot to choose from!
*Julie Fox
Friday 28th March 2014: ABC New England North West interview with Kelly Fuller. To listen go to
http://www.abc.net.au/local/audio/2014/03/28/3973790.htm
THE SYDNEY BLUES SOCIETY
www.sydneyblues.org
CD Reviews
Toni Swain
The Red Shed
(8 tracks, 32 minutes)
www.toniswain.com
Well if ever you needed
convincing that networking
is a success on Facebook, just look who I found! Living
the quieter, creative, life in the small town of
Nundle – not far from Tamworth; none other than Toni
Swain!
This lady used to regularly drop into the Sydney Blues
Society’s monthly jam sessions many years ago; blowing
us all away with her beautiful, yet powerful vocals.
She also fronted her own very popular band around the
venues in Sydney and down the south coast.
Then one day Toni just disappeared. A hole was definitely
created in the music scene; her fans all wondering
what had become of her.
Now when I said Toni Swain was living a “creative
life” in Nundle, this is an understatement. As Toni
says in her bio; “I love to cook and especially enjoy
making preserves with a little bit of a kick.” Her project:
Picket Fence Produce is all about “using as much
home grown produce as possible” – growing fruit and
vegetables on her 2 acre property in Nundle. These are
sold at local markets, as well as through her own catering
business to small groups in Nundle and the surrounding
area.
Not content with this, Toni also helped establish
Nundle Rocks – The Home of Alt Country, within her
local pub, The Peel Inn. This festival has gone from
strength to strength, and is also where she met up again
with a very old friend; Jeremy Edwards and his Dust
Radio Band.
Long story short, they put their creative heads together;
Toni wrote 8 new songs and now I am pleased to tell
you Toni is also back on the music scene. Better than
ever, and with her debut album; The Red Shed. And
what a brilliant album this is: Jazz, rock n roll, blues,
soul and country; something for everyone.
Recorded at Jeremy Edward’s own Dust Radio Studios
we have a who’s who of Sydney’s top musos helping
Toni out; Jeremy on guitars, Roy Payne, guitars and
pedal & lap steel, Mike Rix, electric and upright bass,
George Brugmans, drums and percussion, Hal Tupaea,
bass, Rob Woolf, keyboards, Tony’s dad, Murray
Swain on trumpet, and of course, Toni Swain on vocals
and acoustic guitar. No wonder this album is brilliant!
Just to give you an indication of Toni’s vocal style -
think Bonnie Raitt. That slight touch of country with
her blues – a magic combination! Such a sweet, clear,
yet powerful voice, full of conviction and feeling.
None more so than in the opening track; Open Up –
telling the story of life’s struggles in a dry, hot countryside
– waiting for the rains.
Faded to Grey showcases Toni’s easy, jazz style with
some lovely guitar picking and a nice shuffle drum
beat from George.
A New Orleans/jazz/swing style is produced on The
Knot with Murray Swain playing trumpet, Mike Rix on
upright bass and Toni playing around with some very
good scat singing.
Hold onto your Horses is a heartfelt country ballad
with a very definite Bonnie Raitt feel. Beautiful lap
steel playing from Roy Payne.
“50 Bucks don’t get you much these days”. Life’s big
decisions....a new start in life, after leaving the man
causing her so much pain. That’s the blues!
“Do what you do, Naturally...say what you say and
make it real” is the central theme around this punchy,
funky number, with some nice keyboards from Rob
Woolf.
Buddy’s got some Steel is the rock n roll number that
would have anyone up on their feet.
Closing this first class album is Saving Face; a heartfelt
love song with some lovely slide playing, complementing
Toni’s plaintive vocals beautifully.
Welcome Toni Swain back onto the music scene by
checking out her website, buying a copy of The Red
Shed and taking note of a gig being played near you –
there are a lot to choose from!
*Julie Fox
Friday 28th March 2014: ABC New England North West interview with Kelly Fuller. To listen go to
http://www.abc.net.au/local/audio/2014/03/28/3973790.htm
Radio interview with Lucy for New Zealand Tour, February 2015.
