Evelin Tóth truly defines what is meant by “one-of-a-kind.” She started singing at the age of seven, her musical education is as diverse as her musical style (including Sephardic, Hungarian, folk, electronic and jazz elements) and her acts genuinely merge theater with music.
In the last one and a half years she released four albums, made several stage appearances and she seems as unstoppable as a (musical) steam-roller. So let’s see what the deal is with her, is she planning to take over the world?
What do we have to know about your colorful musical background?
I come from a family with no musicians at all, but I received my high school education at the Zoltán Kodály Hungarian Choir School, where I also learned instrumental music. After the completion of my studies here I took a master course held by opera-singer Júlia Pászthy as well as Lena Conquest and Tom Bogdan (both American) among others.
You came up with your own voice technique. What’s the main idea behind it?
After my classical studies I immersed myself in South-Indian, North-African and Sephardic techniques. These had such a great impact on me that I started to work on my own voice, as a result of which, I have created my own technique that’s based on using my body as an instrument for free improvisation.
You combine theater and music…
Acting plays an important role in my life and I’m both an actor and a singer on stage. I’ve been working with Hólyagcirkusz Társulat, a nationally and internationally recognized group, since 2002 and received the Best Singer award in 2006 by the Alternative Theater Review in Szeged. I’ve also worked together with many Hungarian and international directors, like András Jeles, Oleg Ysukowski, Andrea Ladányi and Ivo Dimcev.
You’re a prolific singer. Could you tell me something about your records?
I founded a band called Ektar together with Szabolcs Szőke, Róbert Benkő and Dániel Kardos. Our third album, Kontrapunkt made a debut in Trafó (House of Contemporary Arts) this year. I regularly collaborate with famous artists like Hamid Drake, Orsolya Karafiáth, Miklós Lukács, András Dés, Szabolcs Szőke, Péter Szalai and Erikk McKenzie, all of whom I worked together on various albums with as well. My record with Hamid Drake was chosen as one of the five best Hungarian albums of 2009 by a weekly magazine in Budapest. I also composed the musical score of Krétakör Theater’s documentary, Szabaduló művész (Escapologist).
What are you looking forward to these days?
I have many appearances lined up, which is really exciting. I’m performing the lead single from the commemorative Tamás Cseh album on the main stage of this year’s Sziget Festival. But I’m also going to hit the stage at the Dívák a Konyhában (Divas in the Kitchen) Fado evening on August 18th and I’m also giving a concert in the framework of Jazz On The Waves II on board of Monarchia cabin cruiser on August 27th, featuring Gergő Borlai on drums and Zoltán Lantos on electronic violin. At the same time, I’m working on a grand Bárka Theater performance together with Gergő Borlai and Andrea Ladányi as well.
Want to get to know Evelin more? Train your vocal chords with her on her courses to which you can apply at her website (www.evelintoth.com)!