Locust Toybox/Grape Diggers - Official Thread

Hey WATMM. I've been listening to the works of Locust Toybox (David Firth) for quite a while now, but I haven't seen much discussion about him on here.

Firstly, he's released all his music on his website for free. Many of his tracks are up on Youtube, so feel free to have a listen.

http://www.fat-pie.com/locust/

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=locust+toybox+noon

His latest album, 'Noon', is a showcase of some of his best work yet. His unique sound design is a mix of unusual samples, exquisite melodies and scribbley, upbeat percussion. Those of you who have seen Firth's flash animations will know about his incredible imagination. I can tell you that he applies it just as well in his music as he does in his other creative works.

He is also a member of an amazing band: The Grape Digging Sharon Fruits. Again, the Grape Diggers' music has all been released online for free, despite each song being worth its weight in gold.

http://grapediggers.blogspot.com/

Their music is a mix of many different styles and genres that works towards a whole in spite of all their variation. From their expertly crafted melodies, to the storytelling and characterization of their lyrics, to the bright, vivid atmospheres created as they come together. The Grape Diggers are a band you won't want to miss out on.

As well as releasing four albums, they've done a series of Jam sessions, which are great to get a rough idea of their unique sound. Note that these Jam sessions are live performances, and don't represent the crisp, refined quality of their studio output.

I hope you enjoy this music as much as I do. Once you're hooked, you'll be humming these tunes for weeks...

I really like Mangled Tape Memories and Dead Wasps.

you stole my thread idea, what the heck rhombix.

Scribble Beats is one of my favourite albums ever. So playful and fun!

Scribble Beats is also one of my favorite albums ever. Locust Toybox is ace.

As for the grape diggers, I always liked their stuff, but kind of passed them off as a likable amateur rock band. But after the release of Grappling Head Songs, I started taking them seriously. Go download that album.

And Ha, I've been waiting for Rhombix to start this thread.

  On 10/15/2011 at 5:43 AM, Murveman said:

Scribble Beats is also one of my favorite albums ever. Locust Toybox is ace.

 

As for the grape diggers, I always liked their stuff, but kind of passed them off as a likable amateur rock band. But after the release of Grappling Head Songs, I started taking them seriously. Go download that album.

 

And Ha, I've been waiting for Rhombix to start this thread.

Yeah. I was waiting too but I kept putting it off for some reason.

And, yes, Scribble Beats is indeed a great album. Definitely a turning point for Locust, as his music became more refined, being less dependent on samples.

Grappling Head Songs is quite a surprise compared to the Grape Diggers' previous work. Before GHS, their music had a sillier tone to it. The tracks had a simpler feel of happiness and just generally felt good. But they've really matured with their latest album, while still achieving the same feelings of happiness, creativity and humour as their previous work.

  On 10/12/2011 at 10:10 PM, Rhombix said:

Hey WATMM. I've been listening to the works of Locust Toybox (David Firth) for quite a while now, but I haven't seen much discussion about him on here.

 

Firstly, he's released all his music on his website for free. Many of his tracks are up on Youtube, so feel free to have a listen.

 

http://www.fat-pie.com/locust/

http://www.youtube.c...ust+toybox+noon

 

His latest album, 'Noon', is a showcase of some of his best work yet. His unique sound design is a mix of unusual samples, exquisite melodies and scribbley, upbeat percussion. Those of you who have seen Firth's flash animations will know about his incredible imagination. I can tell you that he applies it just as well in his music as he does in his other creative works.

 

He is also a member of an amazing band: The Grape Digging Sharon Fruits. Again, the Grape Diggers' music has all been released online for free, despite each song being worth its weight in gold.

 

http://grapediggers.blogspot.com/

 

Their music is a mix of many different styles and genres that works towards a whole in spite of all their variation. From their expertly crafted melodies, to the storytelling and characterization of their lyrics, to the bright, vivid atmospheres created as they come together. The Grape Diggers are a band you won't want to miss out on.

 

As well as releasing four albums, they've done a series of Jam sessions, which are great to get a rough idea of their unique sound. Note that these Jam sessions are live performances, and don't represent the crisp, refined quality of their studio output.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eVb7ttkhZw

 

I hope you enjoy this music as much as I do. Once you're hooked, you'll be humming these tunes for weeks...

YOU are David Firth and I claim my five pounds!

i prefer GDSF. great band. locust toybox is annoyingly hit or miss. i like his cover of 'melodies from mars', though. and 'oatman' is amazing.

  On 10/17/2011 at 11:32 PM, Joyrex said:

YOU are David Firth and I claim my five pounds!

Lol.

And yes, agreed Rhombix, in regards to both comments. I am pretty baffled by how good GHS is. There's still sort of a silly vibe to it, or maybe it's a fun vibe. But unlike bands that are fun by taking the piss I feel that they are serious.

Also, Dangerwank and I'm The Manager were good aliases as well. "Our Street", "Emonstipation", and "14000 Wires" are hilarious, hilarious, and fantastic.

Jeez, I've been listening to Firth about as long as Aphex and BOC. It's funny to think of that. I had a list of like 8 Bands I listened to in 9th grade.

  On 10/18/2011 at 4:09 AM, kinski said:

i prefer GDSF. great band. locust toybox is annoyingly hit or miss. i like his cover of 'melodies from mars', though. and 'oatman' is amazing.

Yea. I have that problem with Locust as well. Kettle of Wealth and Scribble Beats were the only albums I played over and over, in addition to a bunch of B-sides. The really new stuff kind of bores me. And the old stuff is amateur, but Firth recognizes that.

Isn't 'Oatman' by Crust? I can't remember. Crust's Gin and Paper Cups was a goody too.

'oatman' is on felt crayons. crust is just doing vocals, i guess.

  On 10/18/2011 at 5:26 AM, kinski said:

'oatman' is on felt crayons. crust is just doing vocals, i guess.

Yeah, it's Crust doing the vocals.

  On 10/18/2011 at 5:20 AM, Murveman said:

Also, Dangerwank and I'm The Manager were good aliases as well. "Our Street", "Emonstipation", and "14000 Wires" are hilarious, hilarious, and fantastic.

Oh God. I love Our Street. I didn't think many people knew about it.

For those who don't know, it's a seemingly innocent song about life in a British neighbourhood. There's a wonderful sense of sarcasm as it sings about darkly comic subjects (chav culture, suburban decay etc.) in a cheery, light-hearted tone. It's just awesome.

It really speaks to me because, as a resident of a shitty Welsh village encrusted with chavs, I've lived through it as well. It's funny to think that I often sing along to "Who's throwing tangerines at us?" when people do, in fact, throw large objects at our windows.

this thread reminded me of my fav firth song, written as a response to some hatemail -

Woah, I hadn't listened to "Noon" yet. The opening track is excellent. Beats are smoother and less IDM than usual.

David's finally gave his I'm The Manager songs a proper release, including Bonus Tracks!

http://www.mediafire.com/?c628vscc3qqp9ui

Was pretty sure he was done with this project and that I wouldn't ever hear any new content again. Just about shat myself.

Hey guys - new Locust Toybox LP "Drownscapes" was released yesterday by Brainfeeder! Happy Halloween. ;)

https://pitchfork.com/news/david-firth-salad-fingers-shares-new-locust-toybox-album-listen/

https://locusttoybox.lnk.to/drownscapes