TOKOLOSH | |
|---|---|
 Christian Madden, Liam Frost and Richard Young performing with the band TOKOLOSH at The Eagle Inn in Salford. Photograph © Emma Farrer | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Manchester, England |
| Genres | Folk[1] |
| Years active | 2011–present |
| Labels | Static Caravan Jack to Phono |
| Members | Liam Frost Christian Madden Nicky Madden Nathan Sudders Richard Young |
| Website | TOKOLOSH |
TOKOLOSH (always written in capitals)[2] are aManchester-based band formed in 2011 and made up of singer and guitaristLiam Frost, keyboard players Christian and Nicky Madden fromThe Earlies, bassist Nathan Sudders fromThe Whip and drummer Richard Young.[1]
The band was dreamt up when all the members were taking part in one of Marc Riley’s annual Christmas shows on BBC 6 Music, which involved a large number of local musicians coming into the studio to sing carols live during the show. Frost had already worked with several members of the band on other projects, including during the recording of his second solo album when he travelled to the Earlies studio in Burnley to record a song[3] In a 2012 newspaper interview with the band, Christian Madden was quoted as saying "We read a review of Liam's second album and it criticised him for being a ballsy vocalist…And I just thought, I've got to work with that guy."[2]
Named after theTokoloshe; a mischievous sprite which appears in African mythology, the band's moniker was suggested by Christian Madden as an emergency measure but as the band developed their songs many had working titles which include the word Tok and the name began to define the music.[2] TOKOLOSH's music was described in national press as "danceable folk with darkly sexual lyrics." and the band explained this by saying "All of these songs focus on a slightly different side of adult relationships…The desperate and slightly obsessive aspect maybe, but also how people can change inside of a relationship - for better or worse.".[1]
On 12 January 2012 TOKOLOSH performed a live session onBBC 6 Music for DJ Marc Riley’s radio show where he described the band as a supergroup. The band played three tracks;The Hollow,Tok De France andShapeshifter;[4] the second song of which underwent a minor name change by the time it appeared on the albumStay Strong.[5]
The band played a second 6 Music session for Riley on 22 October of the same year where again they played tracks which at the time only had working titles.TokoDiddly later becameThe Knife Twists whilstTokvember was released asUnknown Animal.[6] The band also playedTokoHorse which retained this title when released as a single by Static Caravan.[7]
October 2012 also saw the release of the band's debut single consisting of the tracksThe Hollow andTokoHorse. The 7" vinyl release was limited to 300 grey wax pressings[8] and was released via the Static Caravan label with artwork from Marc Atkins.[9] Static Caravan released a further 7" from the band in January 2013 containing the tracksShapeshifter andBloodlines.[10]
In August 2014 the band released their debut albumStay Strong on the Jack To Phono label[11] withLouder Than War describing it as "a landmark album sweetly accessible and full of surprises".[12]
TOKOLOSH have played sporadic dates in eclectic venues mainly in Manchester. Their debut Manchester show was in the reading room of the historicJohn Rylands Library on Deansgate[13] and other shows have included a gig in Whitworth Park to mark the temporary closure of theWhitworth Art Gallery as it shut for refurbishment,[14] a support slot forI Am Kloot at the Manchester Apollo on 13 December 2013,[15] an outdoor show in St Anne’s Square, Manchester as part of theDig The City urban gardening festival[16] and a woodland gig atFestival No 6 in Portmerion where they played the 'In The Woods' stage.[17] In March 2015 it was announced that the band would play micro-festivalCloudspotting; a festival situated at Gisburn Forest in theForest of Bowland which TOKOLOSH previous played in 2013.[18]
Some of the band's gigs have seen slight line up changes when the musicians have had commitments with their other bands. Sudders bass duties have been covered by guitarist Tom Lloyd Goodwin whilst drummer Bo Walsh has stood in for Richard Young when he was available.[19]
Albums
Singles and EPs
