Artie Tobia
Artie Tobia is a singer/songwriter and working musician who performs 200 nights a year. A well-crafted storyteller his strong soulful voice can quickly capture the audience bolstered by his ease and banter interacting with the audience. Tobia has released five full-length albums that have found their way onto national radio charts. He has shared the stage with; Poco, Richie Kotzen, Blue Öyster Cult, Dr. John, Jefferson Starship, Kansas, Tanya Tucker, The Subdudes, David Cook, Chip Taylor and Kenny Wayne Shepherd as well as others.
For fans who have never heard your music, can you pick three words to describe it?! If three words just aren't enough then tell us more!!
Specific to It's Christmas Time - Happy, Feel-good, Enthusiastic, Optimistic, Joyful, Festive, Expressive, Cheerful, Carefree, Light, Bright, Bouncy My other work: earthy heartland empowering storytelling, thoughtful intelligent
What is your favorite part about being an artist? Is it songwriting, performing, recording, something else?) Tell us why.
My task as a songwriter. Whether I write from a personal experience or from an idea I come up with.... it has to be specific yet simultaneously universal enough that the individual listener can identify and attach themselves to the song... ideally through the lyric. I perform enough to receive validation, as someone sings along or identifies so much with a song that they show some emotion in response to my performance. That never gets old!
Can you tell us what being in the recording studio is like for you?
I have have gotten far more comfortable in the studio after recording five albums. It can be daunting at times but yeah I have gotten more comfortable. It actually has become fun .. and it is always exciting knowing you are making another album. I usually record live with the band so very few overdubs if any.. What you hear on the final product is what we played together to capture the song in that musical moment.
Okay, this a fun question. When you are not doing music, what else do you enjoy doing?
I have a lot of interest beyond my music the keeps me balanced. I am a car guy.. I have a small collection of cars.. photography... movies.. I have always had an aquarium set up in my house for as long as I can remember. .....The beach... but most important is my time with my family... it is a happy place when my wife and I can be with our kids.
Who do you admire most in the music scene today and why?
Well... my answer may surprise you ... i mean it surprises me but it is who came to mind first... so here it is... Taylor Swift! Now to be clear ... its not her music so much.. not that I have anything against it but rather it is her stance she takes against the record companies and corporations... she has fought for some equity for herself but also indie artists like myself. For that I have a lot of respect.
Can you tell us what song you've written that is the most emotional and describe the meaning behind it?
That is like asking who your favorite child is.... And I think that is really determined by the listener... off the top of my head... The Parade... Aberdeen... it varies depending on my emotional space.... but by feedback from fans.... probably a tie between First He was My Father ... which was written about Dad who passed away many years ago... and ...Heart Beats Still ... which was inspired by the idea of never-ending love for someone that you 'd be willing to do anything or go just about anywhere for. I am a hopeless romantic!
Are you working on any new material right now or what's in the works for the upcoming year?
Oddly I just completed another Christmas song called Santa on the Couch... stayed tuned! Beyond that I am planning two records for 2023 releases. A solo acoustic album ... you know just me and my voice ...maybe some light accompaniment and then a full-on Blues album... I am thinking that may be with some guest artists. I also have a whole collection of songs I wrote with the band in mind but that will probably end up being in 2024. So yeah I am very fortunate to have quite a bit if content to work with moving forward.
Tell us where fans can access your music.
www.artietobia.com Instagram - Tobiamusic, FB (ATB - Artie Tobia Band) Spotify YouTube Channel - Artie Tobia