QUICKFIRE WITH TONTO
We are Tonto, a four piece collective from Alloa, Scotland and we’ve been playing together since 2019.
Our front-man Kieran Fisher was quite successful as a solo artist and supported some big names but seeking a bigger sound, Kieran recruited Lyle Finlay (guitar), Jay Strachan (drums) and Lewis McGrandles (bass) to form Tonto.
First two singles we released were ‘Insider’ and ‘Down The Hatch’. Then ‘Liverpool’, ‘Charlene’ and ‘Alone’ were released in 2024 ahead of the Hope, Faith and Carnage album being launched on 28th February 2025.
How would you describe your music?
We think we deliver a sound that resonates with audiences of all ages, blending honest lyrics with high energy music. Kieran’s lyrics delve into life’s tougher moments while celebrating its brighter possibilities, creating an emotional connection that’s both thought-provoking and uplifting. With our live performances pair heartfelt lyrics with distorted guitars and driving drum rhythms, to get the crowds bouncing and singing along.
Tell us about the inspiration behind your upcoming album ‘Hope Faith and Carnage’?
The inspiration behind our upcoming debut album is overcoming addictions and finding your feet in a new lifestyle. We hope that the album can relate to a lot of people struggling and inspire them to find a change.
What is the most unexpected or surprising thing you have learned about yourself through your music career?
Probably it is just how much music means to us all. It’s been a constant through everything.
How do you feel about the music scene in Scotland right now?
The music scene in Scotland is really promising at the moment. There are so many amazing musicians coming through just now. I also think that its really difficult for people to consume music nowadays, most streaming platforms come at a price and also going to gigs can be expensive. We think its important for our shows, merch and vinyls to be affordable.
What is your current favourite song from another Scottish artist?
A few favourites for the band right now are; Sixteen by Ben walker, Boys Like Me by Retro Video Club, Jailbird by Primal Scream and Best Part of My Day by Rosie Alice.
What are you up to right now? Any upcoming gigs or projects you’re excited about?
Right now for Tonto we have a couple of intimate acoustic shows with Kyle Falconer (The View) coming up and have just supported PG Ciarletta. We are also booked for Silverburn festival, Liverpool Sound City, Alloa Amplified and our own headline show at Alloa town hall in August to celebrate the album release.
Finally, a controversial opinion…
One from our lead guitarist Lyle is that you can get away with a bad guitar as long as you’ve got a good amp behind you.
Tonto’s new album Hope, Faith and Carnage is released Friday 28th February – Limited Vinyl on sale HERE.
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