Your Story Starts Here: The Chapter of Toby Lightman

Every artist has a story. One shaped by curiosity, dedication, and the moments that set them on a path they never imagined. Your Story Starts Here is a series dedicated to capturing these journeys. For this chapter, we follow Toby Lightman, a singer, songwriter, and producer whose musical journey began at just six years old.

From classical violin training in her neighborhood Suzuki music school to teaching herself guitar and writing her own songs in high school, Toby’s story is a testament to passion meeting persistence. By the time she graduated from college, she had already landed a major label record deal… a milestone that would launch the rest of her career.

🎸✨ Want to learn more? Discover the rest of her story below…

Your Story Starts Here: The Chapter of Toby Lightman

Toby Lightman’s journey started long before her voice ever hit a stage. At six years old, her mother noticed she had a natural sense of rhythm and enrolled her in a local Suzuki music school, where she began classical violin training. Those early years, hours spent in orchestras, learning structure, tone, and precision, became the quiet foundation for everything that followed.

Singing arrived almost by accident. In high school, she signed up for a vocal workshop class for extra credit, never expecting it to shift the course of her life. That mix of classical discipline and newfound vocal confidence led her to pick up a guitar, teach herself to play, and eventually begin writing her own songs, songs that would help her land a major label record deal just a year after graduating college.

Her debut album Little Things broke onto the Billboard Top 100 and introduced listeners to a voice critics compared to Lauryn Hill, Sheryl Crow, and Norah Jones. From there, her career expanded across stages shared with legends like Rob Thomas, Jewel, Train, and even Prince, who once called her out as a standout artist to watch.

Beyond the stage, Toby’s music has found a second life in TV, film, and advertising, with more than 100 placements spanning major networks, PBS, and even Sesame Street. But her evolution didn’t stop there. As a self-taught producer, she took full creative control of her 2022 album After All, a deeply personal project rooted in themes of pregnancy, loss, and motherhood.

Now, with a new album on the way in 2025, Toby continues to carve out space not just for herself, but for other women in music. Through her involvement with She Is The Music and her commitment to empowering female creatives, her story is still unfolding.

What began as a childhood spark has become a lifelong journey. One that blends authenticity, soul, and a drive to keep learning, creating, and lifting others along the way.

🎙️ We talked with Toby Lightman about her story, what inspires her, and more. Check out what they said below…

How does your community inspire you?

“My community has changed throughout the years. I was never surrounded by many musical people, so I was always shy about my abilities. Even though my friends and family ALWAYS wanted me to play the violin for them or to sing for them!”

“Throughout my life, I have found different types of communities to connect with, and I think that diversity and evolution have always been inspiring to me. I love being around supportive and talented people, no matter the craft. Now I have found myself a part of a strong music community through my work with SONA and the Recording Academy, a parent community through my 2 young kids, and my friends who have always supported me by coming to my shows and always wanting the first listen at what I’m creating. All of that inspires me.” 

Why do you create music in Brooklyn? (Why here, vs another city?)

“I create music in Brooklyn because that is my home, my safe space. I have lived in New York City for 25 years, and for a long time, I would leave the city to produce my albums. I loved working in LA and then listening to mixes while driving through the canyons. I’d head to Nashville to write for days on end. I wanted to detach from regular life. However, now that I have a family, I work hard to teach myself to be self-sufficient and to find and create space that allows my music to flow.  It also allows me to run on my own schedule that works for my family. I can write and produce when the moment strikes, and then go pick up my kids from school.”

What influence does your city have on your music?

“It’s impossible for New York City to NOT influence my music. From the sounds, to the hustle, to all the different people doing all different things on any given day… There’s beauty and power in all of it. I write from the feelings in my life, and the city gives me a different feeling all the time!” 

What are your favorite venues to see live music in your area? 

“Joe’s Pub, Radio City, and Jazz at Lincoln Center.”

Got any favorite record stores in your city?

“There aren’t many now, but a friend opened up a new one in Dumbo called Vinyl + Thread.”

What about favorite local music festivals? 

“Now that I have kids, I don’t go to many festivals… but Summer Stage always has a great lineup. Same with Governor’s Ball.”

This is just a chapter of their story… where does yours begin?

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