Tobi & Friends Live

Admission: 7:30 pm / Start: 8:00 pm

Tobi's music connects. Inspired by the music of Nick Drake, Glen Hansard and Damien Rice, sound and words transform into a soulful bridge between Tobi and the audience. Tobi's voice lovingly reminds us of what is important to us, reminds us that music is always there for us, reminds us that the world can be rediscovered, reminds us to come back, be here and connect. His songs move dynamically between loud and soulful, melancholic and hopeful, thoughtful, analytical and reflective. He sings his songs from the perspective of an autistic person, giving us insight into life and the challenges that come with living in a world that unconsciously or even consciously discriminates against autistic people.

Links: Instagram

Personal Words from Tobi:

On November 18th, I will play my first ever headline concert with a lot of original songs and I am really excited. Also a bit frightened, as it is quite new to me and it took 18 years of musicianship to feel comfortable enough with my original songs. It's been a long journey and I am not yet at the destination. Don't know if I'll ever be, BUT I am finally able to share songs I have written and that are quite personal to me.

In the last 1 1/2 years that I focused more and more on songwriting, I learned a lot about creativity, about patience and my own limits. Every songwriter has different methods, some shake songs out of their sleeves, some need years from the spark of a new idea to the finish line.

I like to believe that songs are never really finished. I like the imagination that they stay dynamic and open to interpretation and to the feeling you have in the moment you play it, especially live. For me, playing the same songs in the exact same way feels cumbersome and unfree. That's why I like to have a basic framework, lyrics, chords and melodies. The structure and dynamic of these songs though are open to the moment (at least when I play alone).

Playing with many different musicans over the years also showed me that different instruments or even the same instruments played by different musicians can alter songs quite a lot and I love that.

I know my view on songs differs from the "conservative" way, but it also helps me to keep liking them and not get bored playing them over and over again.

At the same time my different perception and energy capacities as an autistic person I couldn't work with the advice from non-autistic songwriters. Often I heard it's hard work, "you have to sit down and work hard, stay at it, focus on it". That didn't work for me. It has been frustrating and I constantly felt exhausted. I have less energy reserves in comparison to non-autistic people and am still on my way to find the "right" path. To recognize and embrace that fact has been empowering and healing though.

I would be very happy to see you at the concert. To go through that journey together on that evening.

Info about the culture room 405

Since October 2018, Kulturraum 405 is the collective living room in Cologne-Ehrenfeld. With almost 300 members, the association of the same name has set itself the goal of creating a self-managed and uncommercial free space for a communal togetherness, exchange and encounter as well as art and culture from and for Cologne.

The idea behind this is that every member can and should help shape the hall and its offerings according to their interests and possibilities, so that the most colorful and diverse offerings possible are created for everyone.

The regular program now includes concerts, yoga, improv theater, creative workshops, discussion groups, table tennis, co-working as well as cooking, games or simply open living room evenings to get together.

If you feel like helping to create this space, just drop by one of the open living room evenings or write us at kontakt@kulturraum405.de.

You can find more information on our Facebook page or on www.kulturraum405.de.