Q: With this track blending a few different genres in a unique and refreshing way, I’m curious who your biggest music inspirations are?
Tobi: Great question! So I’d say my biggest influences are Kanye West, Kid Cudi, Linkin park, Incubus, and Michael Jackson. I’d also say newly found influences would be XXXTentacion, Lil Peep, and Juice wrld.
Q: I love this track and the nostalgic yet modern feel to it. What has been one of your most favorite memories along the path to making “No Pressure”?
Tobi of Thehighwaystory: While I was in the studio recording this track, we made a couple jokes about how this new age of modern pop punk is coming back with a vengeance and you know what, that little joke really turned into something extremely real. The warm/nostalgic feeling “No Pressure” gives me is the most cherishable memory that I know I’ll carry with me for quite some time.
Q: Do you remember what the first song you ever learned how to play was?
Tobi: The first song I ever learned to play was “Linkin Park- In the end” and I’ve got to say that song totally paved the way for what would later become my obsession with music.
Q: Can you walk me through your writing process in creating “No Pressure”?
Tobi So while writing “No Pressure” I was going through new life changes. People I thought would be around me for life were leaving and I was feeling immense pressure from different sources in my life. So like any musician would do, I channeled all that energy into a song. So the song dives deeper into my mental psyche the more you really pay attention to the lyrics.
Q: How’s the music scene in New York? Do you have any favorite venues you like to perform at?
Tobi The music scene in New York has always been rich and full of life! But since the pandemic hit everything has slowed down, but now that people are getting vaccinated and things are slowly coming back to normal. I’m hoping that one day I’ll get to play at my favorite venue which is the Brooklyn Steel.
Q: What advice would you give to musicians trying to get their name out there?
Tobi: My best advice to any new artist trying to get out there right now would be “just do it”. Don’t overthink shit and just do whatever it is you want to put your mind to. Don’t be afraid to reach out to people and always always try to extend a hand to network.
Q: Do you have any projects currently in the works?
Tobi “FEAR, RAGE, LOVE & DEATH” is my most recent project that just dropped and now I’m working on two collab eps with different artists and I’ve got to say, I’m so stoked for it all to be done so we can show the fans exactly what they’re in store for.
Interviewed by Melissa Cusano
