Although it’s been four years now since the last Horse Stories record (the critically lauded Everyone’s A Photographer), it’s hard to say that Toby Burke hasn’t been busy – with two offerings of experimental instrumental music (one accompanied by a photographic exhibition), two collections of short stories, score work, record producing and a major gallery installation, all to his name in that time.
Ever the nomad, Toby’s been on the move again too. In 2007, after two years back in his birthplace, Melbourne and largely out of the music scene, Toby relocated to his adopted home of Los Angeles (his third international relocation in four years). It was there, holed-up in a windowless garage under his house in the Silver Lake neighborhood, that the material for November, November was arduously crafted.
Doing what he could to make the dark and dingy garage space as hospitable a studio as possible – including painting one wall “monster” green to brighten things up and rolling in an old piano – Toby set out to write 10 undeniably well-crafted songs, demo’ing each numerous times. All-the-while sharpening not only the songs, but his guitar playing, new piano skills and fresh way of approaching singing.
The result is November, November, Horse Stories’ most assured, mature and consistent album to date. Recorded mostly live-to-tape with producer/multi-instrumentalist Luther Russell and engineer/bassist Jason Hiller. With help from old friend Beth Balmer, they conjured up an album that touches upon the Holy Grail of record making; something that is both classic and original.
Horse Stories is the main band project of
singer, songwriter, composer, producer and writer Toby BurkeEver the nomad, Toby’s been on the move again too. In 2007, after two years back in his birthplace, Melbourne and largely out of the music scene, Toby relocated to his adopted home of Los Angeles (his third international relocation in four years). It was there, holed-up in a windowless garage under his house in the Silver Lake neighborhood, that the material for November, November was arduously crafted.
Doing what he could to make the dark and dingy garage space as hospitable a studio as possible – including painting one wall “monster” green to brighten things up and rolling in an old piano – Toby set out to write 10 undeniably well-crafted songs, demo’ing each numerous times. All-the-while sharpening not only the songs, but his guitar playing, new piano skills and fresh way of approaching singing.
The result is November, November, Horse Stories’ most assured, mature and consistent album to date. Recorded mostly live-to-tape with producer/multi-instrumentalist Luther Russell and engineer/bassist Jason Hiller. With help from old friend Beth Balmer, they conjured up an album that touches upon the Holy Grail of record making; something that is both classic and original.
Horse Stories is the main band project of
Horse Stories will self release follow up to beloved UK critical darling Everyone’s A Photographer
November, November out on iTunes on January 19th
After circling the globe for the past 4 years since the release of Everyone’s A Photographer, Australian singer/ songwriter Toby Burke landed in the Silver Lake section of LA, holed himself up in a garage for the next two years. Day by day, verse by verse crafting the heavenly songs that make up November, November
Check out first single Hummingbird (We'll Be Okay) HERE!
Burke has released three Horse Stories albums to date, one solo record, an experimental instrumental record (and accompanying photography project) under the title Perfect Black Swan, as well as working on scores, art instillations and publishing fiction (sometimes as TB Hemingway). All this whilst spending time living in London, Melbourne (his place of birth) and his more permanent base, Los Angeles, where Horse Stories first formed.
