Acclaimed British actor Toby Sebastian is known for Game Of Thrones as Trystane Martell, recently starred as the lead in feature film Perfect Match as Andre Agassi, portrayed Andrea Bocelli in the biopic The Music Of Silence, starred with Kate Nash in Coffee Wars and he worked alongside the likes of The Libertines’ Carl Barat, Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz and Elvis Costello in All You Need Is Me.
But this talented guy has a music CV dating even back further than his acting activity, and it is no hobby either. Toby’s voice is as gifted as his thespian qualities and he is no slouch in the song writing department.
A very decent guitarist too, as proven on all counts – the spine-tingling vocals, the strength of the self-penned songs and the fretboard work – on his new and second album “Eyes Light Up”.
Live he can deliver the goods too, as audiences at his two headline shows with is own band in the last few days could testify: Oxford O2 Academy last Saturday followed by London’s iconic 100 Club on Wednesday [30th April.]
We caught up with Toby in London for an exclusive photo shoot before he hit the stage at 100 Club, and we grabbed some live shots too. It was an uber-impressive set featuring many songs from the new LP.
“Eyes Light Up” – released 4th April – is an emotional journey across 11 tracks which take inspiration from the sounds of the late 60s and early 70s, from songwriters and guitarists such as Marc Bolan, the warm acoustic sounds of John Martyn, to the smooth soul of Marvin Gaye – while also playing with a fresh sound reminiscent to contemporaries such as Hozier or Jake Bugg. It was co-produced with Matty Benbrook (Paolo Nutini, Dido, Jack Savoretti).
His fans made their appreciation heard loudly at both gigs when he and the band struck up the first chords of his latest new single and the album’s opener “Let’s Pretend”. The delicate indie ballad is “a poignant ode to the bittersweet reality of falling in love during challenging times. Inspired by the turbulence of current world events, the track taps into a universal longing for connection.”
Regarding the single Toby says, “It’s essentially a love song about escaping with your lover from the reality and uncertainly of the world to somewhere else. Dreaming of a moment elsewhere… a moment in time without the everyday noise and chaos of the world.”
Continuing about the album, Toby says, “This is the album I’ve been yearning to make since I started writing as a kid. It’s taken a couple of musical chapters to achieve a sound that I feel properly represents what I love listening to. I grew up in a household that celebrated music and it played throughout the house daily. My love for 60s and 70s rock came from my dad and my love for soul from my mum.
“Matty Benbrook and I worked together on my first ever session when I had just left school for a record deal at 17 [with A&M Records]. It feels apt that years later, we’ve ended up making this album. We recorded it over two years in his studio in Bethnal Green [London] and it’s been a joy to make.”
“Let’s Pretend” follows the release of previous single “I Won’t Leave You Behind”, a haunting emotive song rich in textures from deep cavernous verses and bold anthemic choruses celebrating the powerful strength love brings.
Things get kicked into a new gear elsewhere on “Eyes Light Up” with the likes of “Heaven Is The Backseat Of A Rental Car”, providing a jubilant carefree energy with propulsive riffs and infectious harmonies revelling in life’s simple pleasures.
Toby says: “ ‘Heaven is the Backseat of Rental Car’ is a song I wrote several years ago. It’s a road tripping song inspired by the rock artists I grew up listening to like Bolan and Bowie. It’s a song that has evolved and changed over the last couple of years of playing it live. It’s a summer song about living in the moment which thuds along with an anthemic chorus.”
“Oona’” is a silky-smooth rock ‘n’ roller with the lush vocals tones of Toby matched with a deep blues rhythm and dextrous guitars with a powerful solo. Meanwhile the title track draws influence from Paul Simon, John Martyn and Nick Drake in a wistful glistening love song. The free-flowing diversity of the record continues into “Why Did You Leave” which bursts with bold soul and gospel influence.
The funky “Will You Be… My Wife” – which is often answered in the affirmative at his shows by countless female fans – closes the record, which comes 12 years after his debut album “Into The Light.”
Where the first record captures the start of Toby Sebastian’s impressive journey, which has seen him command stages and the big screens, the new album displays maturity and a honed craft, with timeless musicianship and expertly crafted song writing to truly reflect the artist he is today. Live he exudes star quality and the confidence of a superstar in waiting.
Toby has been consistently releasing successful singles in recent years which have achieved multi-million streams and won him high praise from key media and tastemakers. Previous to his latest London concert, Toby has sold out headline shows in the city including Omeara and Islington Academy, while last year (2024) saw him embark on his first headline tour across the UK and Europe.
33-year-old Toby is not the only star in the family; his sister is actor Florence Pugh, who also has a successful film and TV career. The siblings duet together on the song, “Midnight” from a couple of years ago and it is not unusual for Florence to join her brother on stage at his shows. They both have fabulous voices.
He was named Sebastian Toby M. Pugh, born in Oxford and lived in Spain for three years in 1999 to 2002 with his three sisters who are all actresses: Florence, Arabella, and Rafaela.
His father, Clinton Pugh, is a restaurateur and designer. His mother Deborah is a dance teacher.
Toby’s setlist from 100 Club, London
Something Romantic
Real Kicks
Let’s Pretend
I Won’t Leave You Behind
Too Good
Oona
Eyes Light Up
Daddy daddy
Light Years
No One Loves Like You
Rock Rolling
Will You Be…My Wife?
Why Did You Leave
Heaven Is The Backseat Of A Rental Car
ENCORE
Midnight
Train To Mexico
Exclusive Photos by Liam Battersby
Words by Lisa Daniels
