An Interview with King Size Slim

Hastings based, Toby Barelli aka King Size Slim has been touring across the UK and abroad for many years now.  His unique, acoustic blues roots style and tone stems from a variety of influences.

We were lucky enough to have a chat with the very friendly and pleasant music-maestro about all things musical, how he’s got to where he is today and what the future holds.

Hi Toby, I really appreciate you taking the time to talk to me today.  Let’s start from the beginning.  Where did your interest in music first stem from?

No worries at all!  My parents didn’t force any music down my throat as we weren’t really a musical family.  I pretty much got myself interested.  I used to buy cassettes from Woolworths for the artwork, so I picked up things like Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles and Bob Marley Live.

 

And when did you start playing?

I grew up in Herne Bay and started classical guitar lessons when I was 8 years old.  I was taught by an old lady called Mrs. Stebbens (who’d be long gone by now) and she taught quite a few people in the local area, and although my parents weren’t musical, they did encourage me to practice and made sure I went to my lessons.

You have a very recognisable, distinct and unique sound.  When did you start honing this and how has it evolved over the years?

That’s very kind of you to say, I appreciate that, thank you.  To be honest, I’ve always played in cover bands since I was at school and I used to go to anything I could when I was young; open mics, jam nights and the like.  I joined two-tone and ska revival band The Selecter in 2001, touring all over the world with them until 2004.  It was really busy all the time, so I left the band and went travelling in South-East Asia in 2005.  It was here [in Cambodia], I used to play in little bars and shacks and they’d pay me in beer and food which was great.  It was here I started to really fine-tune my own style.

You switch between gigging solo and in a band, is one preferable to the other?

They are both very different animals, so I don’t have a preference for one or the other (as such) because they are difficult to compare.  When I play on my own, I do all the rhythms, solos and percussion myself, whereas the band is more malleable so I can take a step back a bit and I get to showboat a bit more! 

Does the band line-up ever change or do you have a consistent group?

The line-up has changed every year!  5 years ago I started with a 3-piece (a double-bass player, percussionist and myself) but more recently, it’s changed to a 4-piece which consists of a double-bass player, a percussionist and then another percussionist with lots of pots and pans and things to hit.  I really like this because it keeps it interesting and lends itself to the human error aspect of it.  It makes it more exciting and keeps us all on our toes!

The weekend just gone saw you performing at the now acclaimed, Broadstairs Blues Bash with an exceptional performance.  The festival has increased hugely in popularity over the last few years, why do you think that is?

I couldn’t this year, but normally I go to see other acts during the weekend, often bands that are on the same circuit as me, as I never get to see them perform because they’d coincide with my gigs.  So it’s a great opportunity for similar bands to see what’s out there and it brings out a bit of friendly, healthy competition in everyone.  I think this, in part, has helped its growing popularity.

The Hastings’ Fat Tuesday Music Festival this weekend, can you tell us more about it and your part in this year’s fun?

The festival is now in its tenth year and I’ve been involved since day one and I’ve seen it grow from strength to strength.  I’m really proud to be a part of it.  It used to be a one day festival [Tuesday] and now, it is a five day festival! (Friday until very early Wednesday morning).  The bands involved would gig for fifteen minutes in each pub then move on.  So essentially, the audiences stayed wherever they were and we would come to them!  This tradition still lives on and this year, sees twelve venues host ‘The Fat Tuesday Tour’ where 24 bands play 20 minute sets in 3 venues each. I did a gig on the Monday one year, which was named Slim Monday and that’s still running, it’s a pleasure to perform there.
(more info on Fat Tuesday Music Festival can be found here)

You’ve had an action-packed start to the year, what’s in store for the rest of 2019?

I normally do a few European shows throughout the year, however, with Brexit on the horizon, there’s uncertainty about whether I’ll be granted a work permit so I’ve not booked any across the border this year.  This does mean I’m able to look at other opportunities so I’ve got more UK tours and I’m looking at other options as possibilities such as Moscow and Morocco.

Away from the music industry, what hobbies do you have?

I really enjoy cooking and we’ve just had a new kitchen built.  Living in Hastings we get lovely fresh fish here.  In fact, I’ve become quite friendly with the local fishermen.  Because of the odd high-tides in the old town, the fishermen’s working hours vary hugely because that’s when the fish is at its freshest.  So for example, on Monday, high-tide was 1.30.  So I played a gig for the fishermen, 3-5 because that was basically like their weekend.  It means I play at some very unique times and I love it.

It’s clear from watching you perform, the passion you have for what you do.  Do you feel like you’re living your best life?

Yeah, I think so. I’m really happy doing what I’m doing and everything is good.  I fill venues with people at the moment, but I guess one thing I’d like to do is fill up more theatres.

And finally, if music wasn’t an option, what do you think you’d be doing instead?

I couldn’t, honestly imagine doing anything else.  I do this for a living – it’s what I do!

 

You can see King Size Slim at Hastings Fat Tuesday this weekend.  For a full list of his gigs, go to his website: http://www.kingsizeslim.com/live

You can also find him on Facebook at: facebook.com/kingsizeslimmusic

 

By Nick Foreman

 

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