Tempo Talks: A Conversation with Maureen Toth

THE RELEASE

Maureen Toths journey began in Huntington Station, New York. She pursued studies, at Boston University. Attended a theater school in Manhattan. Later she ventured to Los Angeles, where she became deeply involved in the city’s singer songwriter scene after moving in 2000. It was during this time that she had an encounter with Bernie Larsen, a guitarist known for working with artists such as Lucinda Williams and Melissa Etheridge. This meeting sparked a collaboration leading to the creation of the nuanced Americana album "Shine" in 2010. Following that Maureen released the EP "Cut Flowers" in 2016 and the rock infused album "BLUR”, in 2019.

During the pandemic Toth found comfort in writing songs reuniting with her collaborators Carlos Calvo, Paul Smith and drummer Marc Slutsky to create her EP titled "Chiaroscuro." This heartfelt collection delves into the contrast, between light and shadow that we have experienced during these times. At the core of the EP lies the captivating track "Con Té" ("With You") where Toth sings in Italian drawing inspiration from the turbulence felt in Italy. Toth encapsulates the essence of the EP with her full quote: "This album was written in the beginning of – and during – the pandemic. Everyone was struggling with what it all meant, and we started to get these images from Italy of people in lockdown and reaching out to neighbors and folks on the streets by playing pots and pans or instruments or singing. I thought it was gorgeous and sad simultaneously, and that is why the album is called Chiaroscuro, which technically means the juxtaposition – often stark – of light against a dark background. It usually applies to paintings of a period but also applies to the use of light in general. I thought it was really apt for this period in time."

THE INTERVIEW

If you had to create a Mount Rushmore of inspiration, what four individuals molded the artist you are today?

Wow that is a tough one. I would say Tom Petty, The Eagles ( if I can say a band ), Ani DiFranco, and Aretha. :) I know an eclectic mix!

Throughout the production of Chiaroscuro, were there specific challenges or breakthrough moments that had a profound influence on the overall direction and cohesion of the project?

You know everyone did their part and as we would begin to set the musical tracks, starting with drums then guitar and then any other layers of instrumentals - that would inform how the song was evolving and finally the vocals were the final layer. Things didn’t always go in the direction you would expect. I kind of love that though. I do believe songs take on a life of their own and it's our job as artists to lean in to the direction the song wants to take itself in a way. Carlos is a master on guitar and Marc is the same on drums and Paul is super passionate about what he does as an engineer. We all now have such solid working history - any challenges are much easier to navigate when you trust your compadres. Our first album all together was Blur and I do think that laid the ground work for solid and positive work on this current release. These guys are all such fantastic humans as well and I think we all genuinely enjoy getting to work together.

Can you offer insights into the collaborative dynamics that shaped your latest album, shedding light on the contributions from producers, co-writers, engineers, or featured artists and how their involvement impacted the final body of work?

There are two songs that stand out in particular that were shaped significantly by the dynamics of collaboration. Carlos family is from Spain and he has a love of Spanish guitar - I believe both classic and modern. That really colored how Con Te took shape when discussing with him the sound and tempo and feel of it. I think his solo is certainly the apex of the song - stunning, emotional and not a word spoken. In a way Con Te came from that region of the world with my background and experience in Italy and Carlos' background and experience in Spain. I love the way those two regions - so close to each other - melded and we feel really proud of the final piece. On Owl - Marc and I were running the choruses which were written first and he helped find the rhythm and footing of that song. His daughter Molly who was about 5 at the time - was with us as we were going over the parts and she was even playing triangle so she could feel part of the band. The chorus stayed with her and she was singing it a few days later in the car with Marc and he recorded it. That’s how we grabbed that last little section where she sings a chorus of Owl. It's magical and also totally organic. I also love that her very first album credit is singing on a song that her Dad helped create.

Considering the entirety of Chiaroscuro, what lasting impact or impression do you hope the collection of songs will leave on listeners, both individually and as a cohesive musical journey?

This collection of songs is from this very specific period in time of the pandemic - an event that was so rare and defining that I hope it captures some of what we were all feeling in its scariness and uniqueness and ultimately in its resolve. I would hope that if anyone who did not live through this period hears the music in the future - it might additionally shed light and some understanding and color of what we all went through. I also think when we all look back on it - we will realize how momentous of a time it was.‏

As you look forward, how does the release of Chiaroscuro set the stage for your future projects, and are there any subtle hints or clues you can share about the evolving musical direction you plan to explore in the coming months?

I really enjoyed the strength of emotion in this collection of songs and I hope that was translated. I would certainly like to continue to explore an edgier more rock focused sound. The band is so strong and I am really inspired by the energy of it all when we play live. We’ll be celebrating the EP at the Hotel Cafe on December 13 (tix). I did just get a shell pink Stratocaster - my first electric guitar - and so that might the hint of things to come. :)

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