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a single cut of original song "Lucy" from "Better Than I Thought" album

Artist Profile

  • Shohei Toyoda

    Born in Japan, raised in Dublin, Ohio. Shohei always knew he had a special connection with music through out his life. having piano lessons from his mother, joining concert band in middle school, or always holding on to his Sony Walkman. He finally found the sound he was looking for when he strummed a simple E minor chord on his father's guitar. Ever since, he would try to play whatever song that caught his attention. Hits from the charts, movies, or from his parents favorite artists, but he was especially attracted to the authentic "guitar music" with folk and roots influences. He got his first steel stringed guitar, a Martin D-15, from his father on his 13th birthday. He was mesmerized by the notes coming from that guitar because it sounded just like his favorite recordings he would listen to everyday. After practicing a song or two, he would perform those any time he had the chance, whether it was just hanging out with friends, school talent shows, or little house concerts. He moved to Boston in 2004 to further pursue his musical education at Berklee College of Music. He studied with many prestigious musicians, such as John McGann, Walter Beasley, Bob Pilkington, Guy Van Duser, etc. Afterwards, he officially started his career as a solo performer in 2009, playing at local open mics, major venues, festivals, company events, universities etc and getting positive attention. He also performed and worked with many prominent guitar players such as Adam Rafferty, Muriel Anderson, Richard Smith, Tommy Emmanuel and more. Shohei currently resides in Kyoto, Japan, working as an performing guitarist all over the country. After releasing his first solo album "The Hills Have Ears" in 2010, he has released 2 more records, "Slowly but Surely" in 2016 and "Better Than I Thought" in 2024. He has also won numerous awards like 3rd place at the 2013 International Finger-style Championship at Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas, first place and Best Arrangement Award at Japan's National Fingerpicking Guitar Contest, and won The Grand Champion at the Home of the Legends International Thumbpicking Contest in Mulenburg, Kentucky.

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Slice of Life Records