Toshín: ‘I left Dublin – all the money I was making in music was going on a mouldy €1,100-a-month flat’

Rising star Tosin Oluwatosin Bankole, better known as Toshín, is the lead singer of soul-infused ensemble Toshín. The 26-year-old, who was born in Nigeria but grew up in Dundalk, has opened for Macy Gray, and performed at festivals such as Electric Picnic, Body & Soul, and All Together Now.

In November, Toshín released the first single from her debut studio album I Own Everything.

Earlier this month, she and rapper JyellowL were picked as one of six acts to take part in Eurosong 2024, the competition to chose Ireland’s entry in the Eurovision. Toshín will perform on January 30 at Brigid 1500, a festival in Kildare to celebrate St Brigid.

​What did you learn about money while growing up?

There were six of us kids and my mam and dad, and we had just enough money to live on. We were fed and had decent clothes. Money wasn’t the main focus and it was only when I was 17 that I realised that money is what runs the world.

That’s when my parents moved to the UK. I was meant to join them after a few months – but I didn’t want to leave Ireland. My Mum said: ‘You can stay in Ireland, but you have to be independent.’

It’s hard to move as a 17-year-old when you have friends, and I was doing a PLC music course and was just about to go to college. If I hadn’t been stubborn, I wouldn’t be here making music now. When I was 18 or 19, I became homeless for four months – I was sleeping on a friend’s mattress on a sitting room floor and that was hard.

​When were you most broke?

I actually failed my PLC and had to repeat it and that was the lowest point in my life. When I became homeless, I got a job as a pizza chef at Supermac’s.

Finding a place to rent as a black woman was very hard. Anytime I put my actual name down when I’d be enquiring about a room on Daft.ie or Rental.ie, I never got a response. My friend Nadine Brennan would send a one-line email and get a response straight away. When a friend got a place in Dundalk, I moved in too.

Two years ago, the landlords kicked us out of a nice place in Kilmainham that I was living in. I found a basement flat in Leeson Street. Including bills, it was €1,100. It was damp, mouldy, and the washing machine never worked. I’d have to go to my brother’s place in Ballsbridge to wash my clothes.

I’ve just left that flat – because all the money I was making from music was going on rent. I’m staying with a friend in Drogheda until I find another place.

Did you make any changes to your lifestyle due to the spike in inflation?

Moving to Drogheda was one, because I can’t afford €1,000 in rent a month. I also stopped drinking, not just because I wasn’t getting any benefits from it but also because I was asking myself: ‘Why am I spending €10 on a pint?’

Would you buy property in Ireland?

If I got a really big gig and it paid thousands of euro, I would, because I really love Ireland and I love living in Dublin. I know the riots happened there recently, but apart from those 10pc of people, it’s really friendly.

Do you still carry cash?

Not really – it’s all digital these days.

What was your biggest ever financial mistake?

Buying a manual car a few months ago. I’m getting driving lessons and the driving instructor said I should have bought an automatic. I’m so bad at driving!

Are you a spender or a saver?

I’m definitely a spender. I’d love to be a saver but in this economy and in the world we’re in, it’s hard to be saver. I just love going to gigs – I’d see the same artist three times a year. I spend money on experiences – that’s what gives me happiness.

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