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Toby Couling

@tobycouling

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DRUMMER // PRODUCER // MIXER // SINGER // ART

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“When you walk in the mist, you get wet”

Below are some recent thoughts and reflections;

Having the opportunity to join the rest of the band downstage (at the front) has been an intense new experience. I love being able to explore, dance, even cartwheel around that stage.. It’s incredibly liberating and lots of fun!

Playing a solo at the front of the stage with just a snare drum has definitely tested my confidence and perceived ability for sure.. But, once I was able to let go of the ego and remember who I am and what I stand for, I managed to give myself the encouragement to try to achieve something joyful, special and unique. It’s not about chops or playing the fastest rudiment.. It’s about self expression, one collective energy and love! This has definitely been a challenge and something I am and will probably forever be developing and changing… I believe as long as I can encourage an atmosphere of togetherness, happiness and freedom, then I think I’ve done my job okay.

I have been thinking and working on trying to create more space and ease in myself to find an extra level to listen even more carefully. Cultivating a capacity of calmness to focus more on others (personally and musically) to try and give more attention and energy to the bigger (audio) picture. All this.. whilst retaining my natural spirit, joy and flow of just being in the moment and the reaction of the here and now.

Easier said than done.

Trying to play with even more conviction and intent, but not from volume or brute force, but from something deeper and maybe even more emotional…

Having a spare thought for the basic and simple notion that the microphones will hear the drums - even when on a large wide open stage. Put another way… don’t whack the drums! Think tone.

Singing is always something I enjoy, so being able to sing with Tom and the lads really keeps pushing my voice and control. Still working on trying to save enough breath and energy for those long notes is always a challenge, but when it comes off.. there’s no better feeling!

Big thanks to Liam = @faders__ for looking after the drums and being so attentive and kind! 🧘

Photo credit: @ciaramcmullanmedia by @tobycouling

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3 months ago

Thank you @tobycouling for 𝗥𝗢𝗖𝗞ing our StoneDrum in front of 20,000 people! 🪨🥁🔥

#stonedrum #letsrock #drumlife #tomodell taken in SUPERBLOOM Festival by @tobycouling

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a month ago

Natty & The Rebelship… 💥💥💥 new music in production… ❤️💛💚 stay tuned!!! 🎶🎼🎵🎹🎤🎸🥁
Engineer & photographer: @olibartonwood by @tobycouling

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2 months ago

A few moments from the East Coast US tour with Tom Odell.

Still trying to find the balance, but have definitely noticed small improvements in very small areas in the musical and non-musical side to touring ⚖️

That practice pad is still my friend and is doing a great job in technique maintenance and the pre show warm up 🔥

Still working on that extra independence and brain capacity to use conscious breaths whilst drumming. It defineitly contributes to controlled singing and better chance of pitching 🌬️

The daily breath-work and meditation practice seems to continue to bring out a general sense of peace, positivity and energy. 🧘= ☮️ & ⚡️

Running less frequently as previous years, but enjoying it more and it seems to work better for me that way. finding tress and trails in big cities is not always easy, but worth the effort if possible. Post flight running is often worth the effort, if time allows!
🌲🌳🏃 & ✈️🏃👍😁

Cooling down mucles with ice (post show) is a lovely moment of stillness and calm that really does seem to help keep my arms and neck in check over the course of a tour. 🧊❄️🧊

Slow and steady mindset and expectations in strength training. Shout out to @maxclilverd for all the tips in the gym. 💪

Photo credit : @ciaramcmullanmedia by @tobycouling

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a year ago

Groove of the day @tobycouling #tomodell #canopusdrums by @tobycouling

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a year ago

Some pictures from the last couple of shows with @tompeterodell supporting @billieeilish on her EU tour.
The strongest thought so far has been playing as a band in the round. This subtle stage shift - essentially playing in a circle facing inwards - has dramatically changed the feel and connection of the band and our performance as a whole.

A few personal musical intentions I am trying to practice throughout the show:

- To soften - without compromising intent, energy and force
- bring it back to now and listen
- higher capacity to create more watchful breathing independence to maximise and enhance my singing and energy levels.
- keep focused on tone
- remember to let the mics do the work in a large space.
- support Tom and the lyric
- have fun

Photography by :
@ciaramcmullanmedia by @tobycouling

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a year ago

The penultimate and final festival of the Summer with Tom Odell & Band

(Zelt Fest & Castle Park Grammont)

These both genuinely felt as fresh and exciting as the first show of the year.
It is a joy to be able to play truly live with such incredible musicians. There is a lightness and freeness that connects our performance.
The show, set list and songs shift and meander from day to day and the collective energy on and off stage moves through so many different states of emotion. It’s so fascinating to see and feel (from the best seat in the house) how so many subtle and nuanced changes can occur in one space over the course of around 60 to 90 minutes.

I am now looking forward to some rest, reflection and family time after so many shows and places travelled.

🥁☯️🧑‍🍳🏕️⛺️🧘

✌️

Credits :

Photographer -
📸 @ciaramcmullanmedia

Lighting Design -
🔦 @phosphortech by @tobycouling

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2 years ago

Tom Odell and Band
Stars in Town
Lights and Sound
Fans in stands
Bold and grand
Bodies crammed
Played unplanned
Drummers banged
Keyboards slammed
Collective Clangs
Freestyle jammed
To waving hands
In Switzerland

02/08/2024

📷 - @ciaramcmullanmedia

🔦 - @phosphortech by @tobycouling

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2 years ago

Tom Odell, Alexander Palace
19/07/24

It was a very memorable one.

P.S Thanks to all involved for the surprise….you know who you are! 🍻🌶️🏏🔉❤️

📷 @ciaramcmullanmedia by @tobycouling

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2 years ago

Ziggo Dome, Amsterdam
02/07/24

🥁❤️✨

Shout outs to :
@tompeterodell 👨‍🍳
@phosphortech 🔦
@ciaramcmullanmedia 📸 by @tobycouling

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2 years ago

Current set up for the Tom Odell - Black Friday tour.
Big ups below
@zildjiangbi
@ludwigdrumseurope
@ultimateearspro @porter_and_davies taken in O2 Apollo Manchester by @tobycouling

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3 years ago

25th Feb 2024
First ever Marathon
Completed in 5:10:40
With around 2,800 ft of elevation gain I knew the Big Mud marathon I signed up for would be a very tough challenge for me, especially my first one. But, that’s the style of course I really enjoy and wanted to know how I would fair and to finally answer the question I’ve had dotting around my mind for so many years.

The Marathon played out pretty much to plan. I managed to pace myself (without a watch or a smart phone in sight) I stayed hydrated and ate enough to maintain my energy levels throughout.

Running a marathon for me and all that comes with it has been awesome, obviously It’s come with it’s fair share of tough testing times. injuries and set backs, but generally I’ve loved the life it has helped to reveal in me.

I recommend that if you are reading this, you try a run that challenges you. What ever the distance.. just as long as it challenges you or it’s just further than perhaps you have ever run before. It may bring up certain characteristics, values, behaviours that surprise you and you may also learn something new about yourself. Not just on the race day, but the many days and months leading up to the ‘the big day’ and in the rest period afterwards too.

Note:
I couldn’t resist recording a voiceover on top of this video. This is a likely version of the voice inside my head on my final few steps to the finish line.
Peace by @tobycouling

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3 years ago