From Sailortown to Oklahoma

Interview by Pauline Rea

If you have tuned into any local radio stations within the past 12 months you will no doubt have caught the extremely catchy single Sailortown, bouncing across the airwaves.

The song, written about an evolving Belfast, and growing up in the city, struck a chord with many local music lovers, and of course its incredibly catchy melody helped make Anthony Toner one of Northern Ireland's most talked about 'new' singer/songwriters.

The success of the song, and the follow-up album was something of a surprise to Anthony who was beginning his music career a little later than most: "I had always written songs, and I futtered about a bit with music in my teens. Then I hit my late '30s and I thought if I was going to do anything with it, I would need to do it soon," he explained. "In 2002 I released an album, but I really didn’t know how to promote it and get my music out there."

Anthony performed with various blues and dance bands in local venues, but made his crust as a journalist. "I was a journalist for 16 or 17 years, working in the Coleraine Times and then the Coleraine Chronicle. I became editor and when you do that, you tend to stop writing. When I lost the creative side of it, I lost interest," he explained.

Anthony now spends his hours away from playing live and writing songs at Flowerfield Arts Centre working in the kind of environment that boosts his creativity. He now finds himself preparing to release a new album, only a year after the last: “The success of Sailortown really did sweep me off my feet a bit. I think the record said a lot about what I wanted to say about Belfast and many people can identify with it.

"I was playing a gig last year in the Black Box in Belfast and this guy in his 70s was sitting in the audience. Afterwards he told me that he had come to see the guy who sang Sailortown - that really moved me to tears."

Anthony is set to follow the success of the album A Sky for Every Day and the hit single Sailortown with his new album, The Duke of Oklahoma & Other Stories.

To celebrate the release of the album, Anthony will release the title song as a radio single radio and embarks on dates across Northern Ireland which includes a gig at Ards Arts Centre on Friday February 19.

The album, Anthony's third, was recorded and produced by Clive Culbertson at No Sweat Studios in Coleraine and features performances by some of the finest in session talent in Northern Ireland. The tour dates will feature a trio – Anthony on guitars, Clive Culbertson on bass and vocals and John McCullough on keyboards.

"I decided to release the next album quickly, - I don’t want to be just the 'Sailortown guy'," he commented. "This album is a little more rock than the last and I hope people really enjoy it too.”

Earlier this year, Anthony was one of a delegation of songwriters who took part in a trip to Nashville, where he shared the stage with Nanci Griffith and Guy Clark. He also appeared in a special showcase at the South by South West music festival in Austin, Texas.

"Of course it would be great to crack the States with my music, and have my songs played on movie soundtracks, and if that happens then great – I will be delighted.

"But I think if you are all about the money and the fame, then it shows in your music. I just want to do good work, that I enjoy, other people enjoy and I think it will find its way. And that way you don’t get hurt – people can tell the difference I think."

The single, The Duke of Oklahoma, is being released as a three track promotional EP, along with two other songs from the album, as a giveaway for fans. Anyone visiting the website is asked to e-mail Anthony with their address details and he will send out free copies, while stocks last.

The gig at Ards Arts promises to be a wonderful chilled out night of great music, a homely atmosphere and some great stories from Anthony too. Tickets can be booked at the Arts Centre or by calling 02891 810803. This is a bring your own event. For more information log onto www.anthonytoner.net