Toro y Moi

Toro y Moi

Toro y Moi in 2010
Background information
Birth name Chazwick Bradley Bundick
Also known as Chaz Bundick, Sides of Chaz, Les Sins, PLUM
Born (1986-11-07) November 7, 1986
Columbia, South Carolina, United States
Genres Indie pop, electronic, synthpop, chillwave
Occupation(s) Singer-songwriter, record producer
Instruments Vocals, guitar, keyboards, bass guitar, drums, percussion
Years active 2008–present
Labels Carpark
Associated acts The Heist and the Accomplice, Gremlins, Rome Fortune, Travis Scott, Tyler, The Creator, Washed Out, Chromeo, Cloud Nothings, Nosaj Thing, Kool A.D.
Website www.toroymoi.com

Chazwick Bradley Bundick (born November 7, 1986), better known by his stage name Toro y Moi, is an American recording artist and producer. 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").[2]

Early life

Chazwick Bradley Bundick[3] was born on November 7, 1986 in Columbia, South Carolina,[4] to a Filipino mother and an African-American father.[5] He attended Ridge View High School, where he formed the indie rock band The Heist and The Accomplice with three schoolmates.[6]

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.[7]

Career

Causers of This (2010)

In mid-2009, Toro y Moi was signed to Carpark Records,[8] 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.[9] 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."[10] Tours supporting Ruby Suns, Caribou, and Phoenix followed the album's release.[11]

Underneath the Pine and Freaking Out EP (2011)

Toro y Moi's second album, Underneath the Pine, was released on February 22, 2011.[12] 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.[10] 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."[13]

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."[14]

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.[15] 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.[16]

Toro y Moi performing in Camden 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."[17] The album was called "highly indebted to the late sacrosanct hip-hop producer J Dilla" by the San Francisco Bay Guardian.[18] Bundick stated that he wanted to combine electronic production of his first record with the elements of traditional instrumentation of his second album.[19] The album lyrically focuses on Bundick's move across country to California with his girlfriend and the strain touring puts on a relationship.[20] In promotion of Anything in Return, Toro y Moi embarked on an international tour and made an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.[21][22]

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."[23] 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.[24]

On August 28, 2015, Toro y Moi released a surprise free mixtape called Samantha 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.[25] Shortly after this release, Toro y Moi played the famed 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. [26]

In his home studio, Bundick utilizes a Roland JX-3P, Moog Voyager, Fender Rhodes, and various soft synths.[27]

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.[28][29] 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."[30] Les Sins' debut full-length album, Michael, was released on November 4, 2014 on Bundick's own Company Records.[31]

Side projects

Bundick put out a collection of experimental "stream of consciousness" recordings under the moniker Sides of Chaz.[32] Releases have included a tour CD-R and a single, "Sweet Tea," put out on Fork and Spoon Records.[33]

Band members

Live

Discography

Studio albums

Compilation albums

Live albums

EPs

Singles

Demo albums

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

Remixes

Title Year Artist(s)
"Feel It All Around"[34] 2009 Washed Out
"Repeated"[35] The Longcut
"At a Glance"[36] 2010 Body Language
"Alligator"[37] Tegan and Sara
"Fire Escape"[38] Fanfarlo
"Deadbeat Summer"[39] Neon Indian
"French!"[40] 2011 Tyler, The Creator featuring Hodgy Beats
"Blink and You'll Miss a Revolution"[41] Cut Copy
"You & Me"[42] 2013 Disclosure featuring Eliza Doolittle
"My Man"[43] Billie Holiday

Mixtapes

Other appearances

References

  1. ↑ Kivel, Adam (April 20, 2012). "Album Review: Toro Y Moi – June 2009". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  2. ↑ Langham, Matt. "Toro Y Moi – June 2009". musicOMH. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  3. ↑ "ACE Title Search". ASCAP. Retrieved February 3, 2013. Note: Select the "Writers" tab, type "Bundick Chazwick Bradley" and click "Search".
  4. ↑ Reges, Margaret. "Toro y Moi". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  5. ↑ Lester, Paul (August 13, 2009). "New band of the day – No 606: Toro Y Moi". The Guardian. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  6. ↑ Young, Logan K. (June 9–15, 2010). "Toro Y Moi". Free Times. Resorts Media. Archived from the original on January 24, 2013. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  7. ↑ Gourlay, Dom (July 7, 2010). "DiS meets Toro Y Moi". Drowned in Sound. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  8. ↑ Breihan, Tom (July 13, 2009). "News in Brief: Atmosphere, Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band, Toro y Moi, Jersey Live". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  9. ↑ Shawn Reynaldo. "In the Studio: Toro Y Moi". XLR8R.com. Retrieved 2015-05-18.
  10. 1 2 "Toro Y Moi Talks New Album, Underneath the Pine | News". Pitchfork.com. 2010-11-23. Retrieved 2015-05-18.
  11. ↑ Pitchfork review
  12. ↑ Dombal, Ryan (November 19, 2010). "Toro Y Moi Announces Sophomore Album". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  13. ↑ Eric Sundermann (2011-09-21). "Toro Y Moi: 'I just constantly like to make stuff' : Interview | Prefix". Prefixmag.com. Retrieved 2015-05-18.
  14. ↑ Katoch, Karan (December 5, 2010). "An interview with Toro Y Moi". At the Sinema. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  15. ↑ Fitzmaurice, Larry (July 13, 2011). "Toro Y Moi Is Freaking Out on New EP". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  16. ↑ "On Sale Now! Free Battles, Caribou & Les Savy Fav Mixtapes Released!". All Tomorrow's Parties.
  17. ↑ Hudson, Alex (February 2013). "Toro y Moi". Exclaim!. Retrieved March 8, 2013.
  18. ↑ McIntire, George (February 26, 2013). "Just chill". San Francisco Bay Guardian. Retrieved April 6, 2013.
  19. ↑ Hudson, Alex (2013-02-08). "Toro y Moi". Exclaim.ca. Retrieved 2015-05-18.
  20. ↑ "Music: Toro Y Moi's new album, Noise Pop slots | SF Bay Guardian". Sfbg.com. Retrieved 2015-05-18.
  21. ↑ Pelly, Jenn (May 6, 2013). "Toro Y Moi Announces Tour". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  22. ↑ Weiss, Dan (2013-12-04). "Watch Toro y Moi's 'Rose Quartz'-Tinted 'Kimmel' Double-Header". Spin.com. Retrieved 2015-05-18.
  23. 1 2 "Toro Y Moi Announces New Album What For?, Shares "Empty Nesters" | News". Pitchfork.com. 2015-01-19. Retrieved 2015-05-18.
  24. ↑ http://www.sfweekly.com/shookdown/2015/01/20/listen-toro-y-mois-new-disco-groovy-empty-nesters
  25. ↑ "Toro Y Moi Releases Surprise Collection Samantha". Pitchfork.com. 2015-08-28. Retrieved 2015-10-04.
  26. ↑ "polaroids: FYF Fest 2015". GORILLA VS. BEAR. Retrieved 2016-06-14.
  27. ↑ "30 In the Studio - Toro Y Moi". Retrieved January 17, 2014.
  28. ↑ "Toro Y Moi Announces Tour, New Dance Project | News". Pitchfork.com. 2010-09-15. Retrieved 2015-05-18.
  29. ↑ "Toro Y Moi to Release New Dance Single as Les Sins on Caribou's Jiaolong Label | News". Pitchfork.com. 2012-07-26. Retrieved 2015-05-18.
  30. ↑ Trammell, Matthew (2014-10-29). "Toro Y Moi's Chaz Bundick Goes Full-On Dance With Les Sins". Thefader.com. Retrieved 2015-05-18.
  31. ↑ "Toro Y Moi Announces Michael, Debut Album as Les Sins, Shares "Bother" | News". Pitchfork.com. 2014-08-19. Retrieved 2015-05-18.
  32. ↑ Gonick, Jeff (January 22, 2013). "Toro Y Moi: Anything in Return". Paste. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  33. ↑ "Listen: Toro Y Moi's Chaz Bundick as Sides of Chaz: "Sweet Tea" | News". Pitchfork.com. 2013-12-03. Retrieved 2015-05-18.
  34. ↑ Grisham, Tyler (September 14, 2009). "Premiere: Washed Out: "Feel It All Around (Toro Y Moi Remix)"". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
  35. ↑ "The Longcut: "Repeated (Toro Y Moi Remix)"". Pitchfork Media. September 23, 2009. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
  36. ↑ Kharas, Kev (February 17, 2010). "DOWNLOAD: Body Language – At A Glance (Toro Y Moi Remix)". RCRD LBL. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
  37. ↑ "Alligator by Tegan and Sara". iTunes Store US. Apple. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
  38. ↑ "Fire Escape (Remix EP) [+Video]: Fanfarlo". Amazon MP3. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
  39. ↑ Breihan, Tom (July 23, 2010). "YACHT, Antlers, Toro Y Moi, Javelin Remixes on Neon Indian UK Release". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
  40. ↑ Fitzmaurice, Larry (March 1, 2011). "Listen: Toro Y Moi Remixes Tyler, the Creator". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
  41. ↑ Breihan, Tom (July 5, 2011). "Listen: Toro Y Moi Remixes Cut Copy". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
  42. ↑ "You & Me (The Remixes) [feat. Eliza Doolittle] – Single by Disclosure". iTunes Store UK. Apple. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
  43. ↑ Battan, Carrie (June 13, 2013). "Listen: Toro Y Moi Remixes Billie Holiday's "My Man"". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
  44. 1 2 "Chazwick Bundick". IMDb.com. Retrieved 2015-05-18.
  45. ↑ Hughes, Josiah (2013-08-24). "'Grand Theft Auto V' Soundtrack to Feature A$AP Rocky, Descendents, Toro Y Moi, Robyn and Many More". Exclaim.ca. Retrieved 2015-05-18.
  46. ↑ Roche, Brie (2013-12-09). "Watch i-D's ABC Of Fashion, Soundtracked By New Toro Y Moi". Stereogum.com. Retrieved 2015-05-18.
  47. ↑ "About Last Night (2014) : Soundtracks". IMDb.com. Retrieved 2015-05-18.
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