Toby: "I like the 20's, 30's and 40's style. The way the men dressed back then wasn't just an image, it was kind of a way of life. Gentlemanly conduct -- men opened doors for ladies. I'm inspired by classic jazz musicians like Django Reinhardt, Duke Ellington and Miles Davis. Also, sharp looking guys from the 40's and 50's like Bogie and Sinatra. They kinda look like their socks don't smell."
TorontoVerve: "What's the best advice you've ever received and from whom?"
Toby: "The Dali Lama said 'never give up.' Just keep on. That's pretty good advice. We got to play for the Dali Lama in Edinburgh when he was there a few years ago."
Toby fronts for the band Black Diamond Express who were in town to play the NXNE Music Festival and the retro-style is clearly a band favourite with both their look and sound.
Toby: "Musically we take from the old-time American and Celtic roots and we put it together with a big 8-piece band. We take influences and inspiration from that era and we play it with the awareness of everything that's passed -- all the crazy music that's been and gone. We try to do it our way and stay true to our roots and look forward."
Visit Black Diamond Express' website to check out their videos, music and photos.
Follow the band on Twitter and Facebook.
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