Toro y Moi

Toro y Moi
Toro y Moi in 2010
Background information
Birth name Chazwick Bradley Bundick
Also known as
  • Chaz Bundick
  • Chaz Bear
  • Sides of Chaz
  • Les Sins
  • PLUM
Born (1986-11-07) November 7, 1986
Columbia, South Carolina, US
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • record producer
  • graphic designer
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • keyboards
  • bass guitar
  • drums
  • percussion
Years active 2008–present
Labels
Associated acts
Website www.toroymoi.com

Toro y Moi (born Chazwick Bradley Bundick; November 7, 1986), also known as Chaz Bear,[5] is an American singer, songwriter, record producer and graphic designer. His music has taken on many forms since he began recording, but he is often identified with the rise of the chillwave movement in 2010 and 2011.[1] His stage name is a multilingual expression consisting of the Spanish words toro and y (meaning "bull" and "and", respectively) and the French word moi (meaning "me").[6]

Early life

Chazwick Bradley Bundick[7] was born on November 7, 1986 in Columbia, South Carolina,[8] to a Filipino mother and an African American father.[9] He attended Ridge View High School, where he formed the indie rock band The Heist and The Accomplice with three schoolmates.[10]

Bundick graduated from the University of South Carolina in spring of 2009 with a bachelor's degree in graphic design. Late in his school career, Toro y Moi formed a close musical relationship with fellow chillwave artist Ernest Greene, who performs under the name Washed Out.[11]

Career

Causers of This (2010)

In mid-2009, Toro y Moi was signed to Carpark Records,[12] on which he released his debut full-length album Causers of This in January 2010. On Causers of This, Bundick experimented with sampling and production techniques using the digital audio workstation Reason.[13] The album garnered comparisons to the "chillwave" subgenre; however, Bundick stated that he never classified his music as such. Bundick refers to the album's subject matter as "personal," calling it a "break-up album."[14] Tours supporting Ruby Suns, Caribou, and Phoenix followed the album's release.[15]

Underneath the Pine and Freaking Out EP (2011)

Toro y Moi's second album, Underneath the Pine, was released on February 22, 2011.[16] The album was recorded at Bundick's home in-between tours while supporting Causers of This. Underneath the Pine marked a stylistic departure from the previous album in that it was made up of all live instrumentation and contained no samples. Bundick cites horror movie soundtracks, space disco, and film composers Piero Umiliani and François de Roubaix as inspiration for the album's sound.[14] Further, Budick states "...what influenced Underneath the Pine was finding stuff that I wanted to sample for Causers. A lot of the things I sampled for Causers ended up being the main musical inspiration for Underneath the Pine."[17]

In an interview with website At the Sinema, he suggested that he had moved beyond the chillwave genre: "All that stuff is really good music, like Ernest Green (Washed Out) and Neon Indian. I'm a big fan of all of that, but I think [chillwave] was just a small little period where we all were, coincidentally."[18]

On September 13, 2011 Toro y Moi released an EP titled Freaking Out, featuring a cover of "Saturday Love" by Cherrelle and Alexander O'Neal.[19] The EP's sound was heavily influenced by 80's Boogie and R&B.

The band was chosen by Caribou to perform at the ATP Nightmare Before Christmas festival that they co-curated in December 2011 in Minehead, England.[20]

Toro y Moi performing at Koko in Camden Town in 2013

Anything in Return (2013)

In January 2013, Toro y Moi released his third studio album, Anything in Return, which he described as having a 90's dance and R&B sound. According to him, the album was "influenced by lots of different types of house, from deep house to two-step [...] The chords ['Harm in Change' and 'Say That'] use—that's just something I've been a fan of for a while. I really wanted to mess around with those kinds of elements and revisit what I did on Causers of This, but make those elements a little bit better and more apparent."[21] The album was called "highly indebted to the late sacrosanct hip-hop producer J Dilla" by the San Francisco Bay Guardian.[22] Bundick stated that he wanted to combine electronic production of his first record with the elements of traditional instrumentation of his second album.[23] The album lyrically focuses on Bundick's move across country to California with his girlfriend and the strain touring puts on a relationship.[24] In promotion of Anything in Return, Toro y Moi embarked on an international tour and made an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.[25][26]

What For? and Samantha (2015)

In January 2015, Toro y Moi announced a new album What For? to be released April 7 by Carpark Records and shared a new track "Empty Nesters."[27] The album marked a further departure in sound from previous releases with a guitar-based rock sound, drawing inspiration from artist such as Big Star, Talking Heads, Todd Rundgren, Tim Maia, and Cortex.[28]

On August 28, 2015, Toro y Moi released Samantha, a surprise free mixtape featuring 20 electronic/hip hop influenced songs recorded in Berkeley, California between February 2012 and August 2015. The mixtape contained collaborations with Washed Out, Kool A.D, Nosaj Thing, and Rome Fortune.[29] Shortly after this release, Toro y Moi played the Fuck Yeah Fest in Los Angeles, being photographed by the popular music blog Gorilla vs. Bear amongst many others including Neon Indian, Lower Dens, HEALTH, and DJ Dodger Stadium.[30]

In his home studio, Bundick utilizes a Roland JX-3P, Moog Voyager, Fender Rhodes, and various soft synths.[31]

Boo Boo (2017)

In June 2017, Toro y Moi announced a single, "Girl Like You" and a new album Boo Boo which was released on July 7, 2017 by Carpark Records.[32] In creating Boo Boo, Bundick was influenced by an eclectic mix of Daft Punk, Frank Ocean, Travis Scott, and Oneohtrix Point Never.[33] Two weeks before releasing Boo Boo, Bundick tweeted that he would not be touring to promote the next album.[34]

Side projects

Bundick put out a collection of experimental "stream of consciousness" recordings under the moniker Sides of Chaz.[35] Releases have included a tour CD-R and a single, "Sweet Tea," put out on Fork and Spoon Records.[36]

Les Sins

Bundick makes electronic dance music and DJs under the moniker Les Sins. As Les Sins, Bundick has put out a series of 12" records on Carpark Records and Jiaolong Records.[37][38] Bundick stated that Les Sins "was just another way to make weirder music without having to feel I'm alienating Toro y Moi [fans]. So it's kind of nice to do whatever kind of song I want to do without having to worry about it being accessible."[39] Les Sins' debut full-length album, Michael, was released on November 4, 2014 on Bundick's own Company Records.[40]

Chaz Bundick Meets The Mattson 2

Bundick released a collaborative album, Star Stuff,[41] with The Mattson 2, a jazz duo from California. The album was put out on Company Record Label, a record company of Bundick's own creation. Bundick and the Mattson brothers toured and performed this album alongside existing songs from Toro y Moi.

Band members

Live

  • Chaz Bear – vocals, guitar, and keyboards (2008–present)
  • Jordan Blackmon – guitar (2011–present)
  • Anthony Ferraro – keyboards and backing vocals (2013–present)
  • Patrick Jeffords – bass (2010–present)
  • Andy Woodward – drums (2010–present)

Personal life

Bundick also works as a graphic designer and prefers to treat his musical career as a hobby to maintain the enjoyment of creating it.[42] He designs his own coverwork for his albums and has admitted that he is a workaholic.[42] In his free time he enjoys going on overnight hiking trips.

Bundick announced on June 9, 2017 that he had officially changed his name from Chazwick Bundick to Chaz Bear.[43]

On June 27, 2017 Berkeley, California made June 27 'Chaz Bundick Day'. Bundick was honored with the Day by the Mayor of Berkeley for his contribution to music and arts.[44] Bundick had only lived in Berkeley for a few years, moving there in 2013 to be closer to his girlfriend of 11 years who was attending graduate school in the city.

Bundick became a vegetarian in 2012, two days after his 26th birthday.[45]

Discography

Studio albums

Compilation albums

  • June 2009 (2012)
  • Samantha (2015)
  • Star Stuff – Chaz Bundick Meets the Mattson 2 (2017)

Live albums

  • Live From Trona (2016)

EPs

  • Body Angles (2009)
  • Freaking Out (2011)

Singles

  • "Blessa" (2009)
  • "Left Alone at Night" (2009)
  • "Leave Everywhere" (2010)
  • "I Will Talk to You"/"For No Reason" (split 7" with Cloud Nothings) (2010)
  • "Sides of Chaz" (2010)
  • "So Many Details" (2012)
  • "Say That" (2013)
  • "Campo" (2013)
  • "Slough" (2013)
  • "Empty Nesters" (2015)
  • "Buffalo" (2015)
  • "Girl Like You" (2017)
  • "You and I" (2017)

Music videos

  • "Blessa" (2009)
  • "Talamak" (2010)
  • "Low Shoulders" (2010)
  • "Still Sound" (2011)
  • "New Beat" (2011)
  • "How I Know" (2011)
  • "So Many Details" (2012)
  • "Never Matter" (2013)
  • "Empty Nesters" (2015)
  • "Half Dome" (2015)
  • "Lilly" (2015)
  • "Girl Like You" (2017)
  • "Omaha" (2017)

Demo albums

  • Woodlands (2007)
  • My Touch (2009)
TitleYearAlbum
"Try"
(Nosaj Thing featuring Toro y Moi)		2013Home
"Chaz Interlude"
(Travi$ Scott featuring Toro y Moi)		2013Owl Pharaoh
"The Front"
(Kool A.D. featuring Toro y Moi & Amaze 88)		 2014 Word O.K.
"Come Alive"
(Chromeo featuring Toro y Moi)		2014White Women
"Flying High"
(Travi$ Scott featuring Toro y Moi)		2015Rodeo
"If I Was a Folkstar"
(The Avalanches featuring Toro y Moi)		2016Wildflower

Remixes

Title Year Artist(s)
"Feel It All Around"[46] 2009 Washed Out
"Repeated"[47] The Longcut
"At a Glance"[48] 2010 Body Language
"Alligator"[49] Tegan and Sara
"Fire Escape"[50] Fanfarlo
"Deadbeat Summer"[51] Neon Indian
"French!"[52] 2011 Tyler, The Creator featuring Hodgy Beats
"Blink and You'll Miss a Revolution"[53] Cut Copy
"You & Me"[54] 2013 Disclosure featuring Eliza Doolittle
"My Man"[55] Billie Holiday

Mixtapes

  • Guest Mix for Andrew Meza's BTS Radio (2012)
  • Boiler Room Los Angeles Mix (2012)

Other appearances

  • "Still Sound" appeared on the season premiere of the 8th season of Entourage, "Home Sweet Home."[56]
  • "New Beat" appeared in the film Magic Mike.[56]
  • "Harm in Change," "New Beat," and "So Many Details" featured on the soundtrack of the video game, Grand Theft Auto V.[57]
  • Bundick sountracked a video, "ABC of Fashion" for British magazine i-D.[58]
  • "Rose Quartz" featured on the About Last Night soundtrack.[59]

References

  1. 1 2 Kivel, Adam (April 20, 2012). "Album Review: Toro Y Moi – June 2009". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  2. ↑ Goodman, William (September 2, 2011). "EXCLUSIVE: Funky New Toro Y Moi Track". Spin. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
  3. ↑ "The Decade in Music Genre Hype - Page 3 - Music - New York - Village Voice". villagevoice.com. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  4. ↑ "Homepage - Prefixmag.com". Prefixmag.com. Archived from the original on September 14, 2016. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  5. ↑ "Toro Y Moi Announces New Album Boo Boo, Shares Video for New Song". Pitchfork. Retrieved 23 July 2017.
  6. ↑ Langham, Matt. "Toro Y Moi – June 2009". musicOMH. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  7. ↑ "ACE Title Search". ASCAP. Retrieved February 3, 2013. Note: Select the "Writers" tab, type "Bundick Chazwick Bradley" and click "Search".
  8. ↑ Reges, Margaret. "Toro y Moi". AllMusic. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  9. ↑ Lester, Paul (August 13, 2009). "New band of the day – No 606: Toro Y Moi". The Guardian. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  10. ↑ Young, Logan K. (June 9–15, 2010). "Toro Y Moi". Free Times. Archived from the original on January 24, 2013. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  11. ↑ Gourlay, Dom (July 7, 2010). "DiS meets Toro Y Moi". Drowned in Sound. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  12. ↑ Breihan, Tom (July 13, 2009). "News in Brief: Atmosphere, Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band, Toro y Moi, Jersey Live". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  13. ↑ Shawn Reynaldo. "In the Studio: Toro Y Moi". XLR8R.com. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
  14. 1 2 "Toro Y Moi Talks New Album, Underneath the Pine | News". Pitchfork.com. November 23, 2010. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
  15. ↑ "Toro Y Moi: What For? : Album Review". Pitchfork.com. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  16. ↑ Dombal, Ryan (November 19, 2010). "Toro Y Moi Announces Sophomore Album". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  17. ↑ Eric Sundermann (September 21, 2011). "Toro Y Moi: 'I just constantly like to make stuff' : Interview | Prefix". Prefixmag.com. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
  18. ↑ Katoch, Karan (December 5, 2010). "An interview with Toro Y Moi". At the Sinema. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  19. ↑ Fitzmaurice, Larry (July 13, 2011). "Toro Y Moi Is Freaking Out on New EP". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  20. ↑ "On Sale Now! Free Battles, Caribou & Les Savy Fav Mixtapes Released!". All Tomorrow's Parties.
  21. ↑ Hudson, Alex (February 2013). "Toro y Moi". Exclaim!. Retrieved March 8, 2013.
  22. ↑ McIntire, George (February 26, 2013). "Just chill". San Francisco Bay Guardian. Retrieved April 6, 2013.
  23. ↑ Hudson, Alex (February 8, 2013). "Toro y Moi". Exclaim.ca. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
  24. ↑ "Music: Toro Y Moi's new album, Noise Pop slots | SF Bay Guardian". Sfbg.com. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
  25. ↑ Pelly, Jenn (May 6, 2013). "Toro Y Moi Announces Tour". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  26. ↑ Weiss, Dan (December 4, 2013). "Watch Toro y Moi's 'Rose Quartz'-Tinted 'Kimmel' Double-Header". Spin. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
  27. 1 2 "Toro Y Moi Announces New Album What For?, Shares "Empty Nesters" | News". Pitchfork.com. January 19, 2015. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
  28. ↑ Silvers, Emma. "Listen: Toro Y Moi's New Disco-Groovy "Empty Nesters"". sfweekly.com. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  29. ↑ "Toro Y Moi Releases Surprise Collection Samantha". Pitchfork.com. August 28, 2015. Retrieved October 4, 2015.
  30. ↑ "polaroids: FYF Fest 2015". GORILLA VS. BEAR. Retrieved June 14, 2016.
  31. ↑ "30 In the Studio - Toro Y Moi". Retrieved January 17, 2014.
  32. ↑ "Toro Y Moi Announces New Album *Boo Boo*, Shares Video for New Song: Watch - Pitchfork". pitchfork.com. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  33. ↑ "Toro Y Moi Shares His New Boo Boo". Crave Online. Retrieved 23 July 2017.
  34. ↑ ""Im Not Touring on the Next Record. Bye Bye"". Twitter. Retrieved 23 July 2017.
  35. ↑ Gonick, Jeff (January 22, 2013). "Toro Y Moi: Anything in Return". Paste. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  36. ↑ "Listen: Toro Y Moi's Chaz Bundick as Sides of Chaz: "Sweet Tea" | News". Pitchfork.com. December 3, 2013. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
  37. ↑ "Toro Y Moi Announces Tour, New Dance Project | News". Pitchfork.com. September 15, 2010. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
  38. ↑ "Toro Y Moi to Release New Dance Single as Les Sins on Caribou's Jiaolong Label | News". Pitchfork.com. July 26, 2012. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
  39. ↑ Trammell, Matthew (October 29, 2014). "Toro Y Moi's Chaz Bundick Goes Full-On Dance With Les Sins". Thefader.com. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
  40. ↑ "Toro Y Moi Announces Michael, Debut Album as Les Sins, Shares "Bother" | News". Pitchfork.com. August 19, 2014. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
  41. ↑ "Chaz Bundick Meets the Mattson 2: Star Stuff Album Review | Pitchfork". pitchfork.com. Retrieved April 16, 2017.
  42. 1 2 "The Weekly Feed: Toro Y Moi". YouTube. Retrieved 23 July 2017.
  43. ↑ "Toro Y Moi Announces New Album Boo Boo, Shares Video for New Song". Pitchfork. Retrieved 23 July 2017.
  44. ↑ "Toro y Moi Honoured in Berkeley with 'Chaz Bundick Day'". Pitchfork. Retrieved 23 July 2017.
  45. ↑ "Toro Y Moi". Pitchfork. Retrieved 23 July 2017.
  46. ↑ Grisham, Tyler (September 14, 2009). "Premiere: Washed Out: "Feel It All Around (Toro Y Moi Remix)"". Pitchfork. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
  47. ↑ "The Longcut: "Repeated (Toro Y Moi Remix)"". Pitchfork. September 23, 2009. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
  48. ↑ Kharas, Kev (February 17, 2010). "DOWNLOAD: Body Language – At A Glance (Toro Y Moi Remix)". RCRD LBL. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
  49. ↑ "Alligator by Tegan and Sara". iTunes Store (US). Retrieved July 16, 2013.
  50. ↑ "Fire Escape (Remix EP) [+Video]: Fanfarlo". Amazon MP3. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
  51. ↑ Breihan, Tom (July 23, 2010). "YACHT, Antlers, Toro Y Moi, Javelin Remixes on Neon Indian UK Release". Pitchfork. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
  52. ↑ Fitzmaurice, Larry (March 1, 2011). "Listen: Toro Y Moi Remixes Tyler, the Creator". Pitchfork. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
  53. ↑ Breihan, Tom (July 5, 2011). "Listen: Toro Y Moi Remixes Cut Copy". Pitchfork. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
  54. ↑ "You & Me (The Remixes) [feat. Eliza Doolittle] – Single by Disclosure". iTunes Store (GB). Retrieved July 16, 2013.
  55. ↑ Battan, Carrie (June 13, 2013). "Listen: Toro Y Moi Remixes Billie Holiday's "My Man"". Pitchfork. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
  56. 1 2 "Chazwick Bundick". IMDb.com. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
  57. ↑ Hughes, Josiah (August 24, 2013). "'Grand Theft Auto V' Soundtrack to Feature A$AP Rocky, Descendents, Toro Y Moi, Robyn and Many More". Exclaim.ca. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
  58. ↑ Roche, Brie (December 9, 2013). "Watch i-D's ABC Of Fashion, Soundtracked By New Toro Y Moi". Stereogum.com. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
  59. ↑ "About Last Night (2014) : Soundtracks". IMDb.com. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
  • Official website
  • Toro y Moi's blog
  • Self-Titled Mag interview
  • Toro y Moi mixtape on Andrew Meza's BTS Radio
  • "Toro y Moi Showcase". Local Music Scene South Carolina.
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