We Speak Music

Victoria Justice, Keke Palmer, Louisa Johnson + more feature on new Toby Gad “Piano Diaries” album!

Published

6 months ago

July 19, 2024

Don Reed

Los Angeles, CA – July 19, 2024 – Toby Gad, the GRAMMY-award nominated songwriter and producer behind some of the biggest global hits ever written such as John Legend’s “All Of Me,” Beyoncé’s “If I Were A Boy,” and Fergie’s “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” is embarking on a new artistic journey with his project, PIANO DIARIES – THE HITS. After a remarkable career spanning multiple decades and amassing over 15 billion streams, Toby Gad continues to push the boundaries of modern pop music with this exciting new venture, available now on all DSPs and streaming platforms HERE.

PIANO DIARIES – THE HITS transforms Toby’s biggest hits into emotive piano-vocal masterpieces, featuring today’s stars like Victoria Justice, Keke Palmer & Aloe Blacc, Johnny Orlando, Louisa Johnson, Angelina Jordan, Celina Sharma, and more. This project offers a fresh take on his timeless songs, captivating a new generation.

Kelly Clarkson featured Toby’s premiere Piano Diaries Single, “Big Girls Don’t Cry” with Victoria Justice, on her talk-show alongside appearances on KTLA and Good Day New York. The positive reception laid the groundwork for the following singles:

“Skyscraper”: A powerful rendition of Demi Lovato’s career defining song, featuring Universal Republic touring Artist, Camylio.
“Little Do You Know”: With the original gaining over 1M+ Tiktok User Creates, the new version now features Keke Palmer and Aloe Blacc,
“Untouched”: Australia’s anthem, originally written with The Veronicas, reinterpreted by online sensation Johnny Orlando.
“Who You Are”: Written with Jessie J, now with the youngest winner of ‘X Factor UK’, Louisa Johnson.
“If I Were a Boy”: Beyonce’s hit reinvented with Universal Republic’s 18-year-old rising star, Angelina Jordan.

On July 19th, Toby’s reinvented “All Of Me,” originally composed with John Legend, completes the PIANO DIARIES – THE HITS album, now featuring social media sensation Celina Sharma (7 Billion TikTok likes.)

Toby Gad expresses his enthusiasm for this project: “It has been an incredible journey to watch my songs evolve and reach new audiences. Working with such talented emerging vocalists has brought a fresh and exciting perspective to these tracks. I am proud of the artistry and emotion each artist has brought to PIANO DIARIES – THE HITS, and I can’t wait for the world to hear these reimagined versions.”

Each track in PIANO DIARIES is re-interpreted as a timeless piano-vocal masterpiece, performed by Toby Gad. To further expand the project’s reach and appeal, there will also be partnerships with DJs for high-energy remixes, providing fans with dynamic new versions of their favorite hits.

Toby has begun bringing Piano Diaries to the stage with well-received live performances in Los Angeles and London, featuring various established artists and telling his untold stories behind the songs.

PIANO DIARIES – THE HITS promises to be an exciting musical journey, offering unique insight into the meaning of songs that have become staples on American radio and around the world. The album’s stripped-down nature allows the raw emotion and lyrical beauty of each song to shine through, providing a new and intimate listening experience for fans old and new.

PIANO DIARIES – THE HITS Tracklist:

All of Me feat Celina Sharma
If I Were a Boy feat Angelina Jordan
Untouched feat Johnny Orlando
Big Girls Don’t Cry feat Victoria Justice
Little Do You Know feat Keke Palmer & Aloe Blacc
Who You Are feat Louisa Johnson
Skyscraper feat Camylio
Feel Good feat Paravi

We Speak Music

Joshu’s Soulful Voyage Into Identity and Place In ‘Way Back Home’

Published

54 minutes ago

January 22, 2025

Philomena Marie

Indie-folk artist Joshu’s latest EP, Way Back Home, is a captivating exploration of belonging, identity, and the search for self. Following a painful breakup, Joshu embarked on a life-changing journey across the Atlantic Ocean, retracing the path from his birthplace to the island of Antigua, where he grew up. The EP serves as an emotional reflection on his voyage, filled with personal revelations and introspective moments that resonate with anyone who has ever felt a sense of disconnection or longing for home.

The title track, “Way Back Home,” encapsulates the feeling of isolation and the emotional weight of Joshu’s journey. Its haunting melody and tender vocals draw the listener into his personal reflections on belonging, and what it means to find peace in one’s place. As Joshu sailed across the vast ocean, he questioned his identity as a second-generation white man in the Caribbean, pondering the concept of home and how we form connections to the places that shape us.

Over the course of five deeply reflective tracks, Joshu delves into themes of identity and place, all while challenging the notion of home as a static concept. His vulnerable lyrics invite the listener to ponder the same questions: is home where you’re born, or where you’re raised? How do we cultivate a sense of belonging in a land that may never fully feel like home? The EP, though deeply personal, is a universal meditation on human connection in an increasingly fragmented world.

Written and self-produced in the intimate surroundings of Antigua, Way Back Home, showcases Joshu’s growth as an artist. His delicate vocals are supported by lush, minimalistic arrangements, creating a warm, introspective atmosphere. The production highlights his ability to blend folk sensibilities with subtle Caribbean influences, crafting a sound that is uniquely his own. As both a producer and songwriter, Joshu’s skillful handling of mood and emotion shines through, making this EP a poignant and captivating listen.

Yet, Way Back Home, is more than a personal exploration; it’s a reflection on the broader human experience. Through his delicate storytelling and heartfelt music, Joshu explores the universal longing for connection and the quiet grief that comes with feeling displaced. In a world where so many of us feel disconnected from the places and people that define us, Way Back Home, is a beautiful reminder of the power of music to heal and reconnect.