by Michael Krapovicky | photography by Jennifer Grace –
Toby McAllister’s career path has always been the road less traveled—that of a professional musician. Sparks the Rescue, with McAllister on guitar, achieved success not many bands ever attain. Now, the name Toby McAllister is on the marquee at his many engagements, and his honest, home-spun original songs have garnered him recognition and critical acclaim.
Early Years
Early feelings of alienation led McAllister toward music as solace.
“When I was a kid in 8th grade, I had a hard time fitting in with the other kids,” McAllister recalls. “I knew I wanted to play guitar after I got heavily into punk-rock music around this age, and my parents got me an electric guitar.”
McAllister’s parents helped shape his affinity for a broad range of musical styles, and his constant quest for ‘his new favorite band’.
“Musically, my parents were always super-hip to what was going on,” says McAllister. “They introduced me to bands like Blink 182, The Offspring, Alkaline Trio, The Pogues, The Cranberries, Old 97’s, and so many more.”
He found kinship with fellow musicians and began cultivating and showcasing his talent in any circumstance he was permitted.
“My friends Ben Briggs and Nate Spencer and I started making noise throughout high school together – spending every weekend hanging out, practicing, and being goofy,” says McAllister. “We wrote songs and played shows wherever people would let us.”
The three graduated high school and entered college, but academic pursuits came second to musical ones.
“We pretended to do a couple semesters at USM, but — with the addition of Alex Roy, Patrick O’Connell, and Marty McMorrow— we spent our time writing and rehearsing under our new band name, Sparks The Rescue,” McAllister recounts. “We started booking our tours on social media.”
The band’s hard work and infectious pop-punk oeuvre led to labels taking notice.
“We were soon signed to Fearless Records out of Huntington Beach, California,” says McAllister. “It was really amazing to see our high school dream come to life, getting to tour the United States and Europe for many years.”
A New Day
McAllister never entertained thoughts about playing different types of music while a member of Sparks the Rescue in their salad days.
“At the time, it never occurred to me that I would start a ”solo” project or another band because we thought we were going to make it big – which, in a way, I think we did,” says McAllister. “It’s become clear to me that “making it” in the music business doesn’t necessarily look the way I always thought it did.”
Over the years, McAllister prioritized family concerns, and needed to figure out how to turn his love of music into a proper job with a legitimate income. He started playing solo shows at bars, which eventually led to establishing a wedding band, The Jameson Four. Yet, when the COVID-19 pandemic halted live performances, McAllister had time for introspection.
“When the pandemic hit, I didn’t want to waste the free time I had at home, so for the first time in many years, I started writing songs again, and I thought they sounded good enough to maybe record.” McAllister asserts. “Since then, I’ve put out three CDs and a bunch of singles.”
Thematically, McAllister addresses the human condition and explores the vagaries of life and death through lyrics.
“I have always been a big fan of sad songs that sound happy, so that’s what I try to execute with my writing,” McAllister affirms. “As we all age, our mortality comes into sharp focus, and I think if you spend some time with my songs, you’ll see it’s been weighing heavy on my mind.”
Reforming the Band
To add texture to his new creations, McAllister formed Toby McAllister and the Sierra Sounds, with most of the core Sparks the Rescue members. The Sierra Sounds derives their name from an alleged Bigfoot sighting.
“Thankfully, Ben, Nate, and myself are all still best friends, and it was like no time passed when we started jamming again,” McAllister maintains. “We’re so lucky to be rounded out by our newest family members, Xander Nelson & Jake Van Paepeghem.”
Toby McAllister and the Sierra Sounds have reached numerous milestones since their inception.
“I have gotten to open up for some really huge bands, and I have gotten to tour with my idols, the Old 97’s,” says McAllister. “I have rekindled my love of playing music with my friends and made records with my favorite collaborator, Jonathan Wyman, and videos with Jedidiah & Elijah Allen.”
The band has heard their creations played over the Maine airwaves, and performed on the state’s largest stages.
“We had our song Millinocket Stars get added to full radio rotation on 98.9 WCLZ,” McAllister notes. “We got to play at the State Theatre this past February for the WPOR Winter Jam.”
Audience feedback provides McAllister with his most significant reward.
“The coolest thing of all is just having people listen to songs I wrote and tell me they can relate in some way,” McAllister says. “That’s the real win.”
McAllister wishes to thank the venues, community members, and organizations in Lewiston Auburn that have made it feel like a home base for himself and his projects.
“There are countless bars in the area that have supported me starting up as a bar musician such as Pedro O’Haras, The Pub at Baxter, Gritty McDuff’s, and we had our last CD release party at the 1800 Club, closed since 2022,” McAllister reports. “Lost Valley Brewing Co. named a beer after our song ‘The Outsider,’ released on May 5, 2025.”
The band has also performed at some of LA’s most well-attended and popular festivals, such as The Great Falls Balloon Festival and The Great Falls Brewfest.
Future Endeavors
There are many challenges that a full-time musician faces, yet McAllister faces them all with perseverance and dedication.
“This job takes a toll – I am constantly feeling like I need to do more,” says McAllister. “I love the work though, so at the end of the day, I really enjoy the career path that I’ve chosen – I can’t imagine doing anything else. I am the father of two beautiful children, and I have a partner who is so supportive of my career path… I couldn’t be luckier.”
Michael is a freelance writer and musician from Auburn. He graduated from the University of Maine at Presque Isle in 1999 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts.
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He has submitted stories and articles for various publications, and performs throughout New England as a solo guitarist and bassist. Michael enjoys traveling, hiking, and spending leisure time with family and friends.