Toby Sebastian roars "Down The Westside"

Americana riffs and soulful vocals meet rock 'n' roll swagger on Toby Sebastian's latest track, "Down The Westside", capturing the feeling of tearing down the Sunset Strip, with car roof down and cheeks poached pink from the sun and breeze. Splitting his time between the silver screen and the sound system, the actor/musician has been in the game for over a decade, starring in landmark titles like Game of Thrones and The Music of Silence. Releasing his debut album Into The Light in 2013, he returned to music making in 2019 and has churned out a steady stream of droplet singles since. Perhaps most notably, his track "Midnight" was a tearaway streaming hit, featuring his sister Florence Pugh.

Whilst previous efforts have utilised his bluesy vocals against tampered down acoustic productions to create dreamy and serene sunset soundscapes, "Down The Westside" stands out for its full throttle pace, breakneck rock 'n' roll flair, and infectiously catchy hook. "I feel the song has an energy that is impossible to resist," Toby explains - and indeed, it's a ride to strap in for.

“‘Down The Westside’ is one of those songs that came out of nowhere," he continues. "When Matty Benbrook (producer and cowriter) and I sat down to have a jam with Donny Little (co-writer of Paolo Nutini’s first album and my current guitarist) we exchanged ideas as the song unfolded. It felt so in tune with the rock artists that I grew up listening to - elements of the likes of Bowie, Marc Bolan, and the Arctic Monkeys. It is unlike anything I’ve ever written before. Exploring this new sound was a refreshing departure from my usual style and a chance to embrace a different tone. ‘Down The Westside’ to me is a testament to the power of spontaneous collaboration."

Perfectly pitched somewhere between Old Hollywood and New Americana, the through-line of Toby's discography is in its thoroughly cinematic nature. Simultaneously painted in dramatic noir and also full HD colour, his music sparks with intrigue and grandeur, and belongs soundtracking cult movies stretched across sweeping projector screens. With an album on the way, and ahead of a 14 stop UK/European tour, "Down The Westside" proves he has more than enough petrol in his engine to continue roaring down the long road.