Toro y Moi, aka Chaz Bear, is renowned for his eclectic music style and his latest album 'Hole Erth'. In this lively conversation, he dives into the complexities of suburban life and fatherhood, sharing humorous experiences from his past, including his time working at fast food joints. Toro also discusses navigating artistic identity and collaboration with notable artists like Tyler, The Creator. From guilty pleasures like Doritos on tour to the evolution of fashion in music culture, Chaz reveals insights that blend personal anecdotes and cultural relevance.
Toro Imua discusses the significance of community in collaboration, emphasizing how connections with friends enhance creative expression in music.
He reflects on how his personal style, influenced by fatherhood and unique fashion choices, serves as an extension of his musical identity.
Imua highlights the impact of his suburban upbringing on his songwriting, allowing him to explore themes of authenticity and personal growth.
Deep dives
Guests and Collaborations
The episode features artist Toro Imua, who discusses his latest album 'Whole Earth' and shares insights into the collaborative process with various artists. He highlights how working with friends and fellow musicians, such as Ash and Don, has influenced the sound and direction of his new music. Imua expresses excitement about blending genres, drawing from pop punk and hip-hop to create a unique sound reflective of his experiences. He emphasizes the importance of community in collaboration, demonstrating how connections can lead to innovative musical expressions.
Fashion and Personal Style
The conversation delves into the role of fashion in Imua's life, particularly how it intertwines with his music and personal identity. He discusses his preference for unique graphic tees and comfortable attire, highlighting how his style has evolved to reflect his life as a new father. Imua's affinity for brands that mix high fashion with casual wear illustrates his understanding of cultural significance in fashion choices. He notes that his personal style is a form of self-expression that complements his musical persona.
Balancing Family Life and Career
Imua shares the unique challenges and joys of balancing a burgeoning music career with the responsibilities of fatherhood. He reflects on how fatherhood has added a new dimension to his songwriting, allowing him to explore themes of maturity and personal growth. The realization that sacrifice is a part of parenthood has shifted Imua’s perspective on his priorities, reminding him of the importance of time management and focusing on meaningful projects. Despite the challenges, he finds fulfillment in navigating this new phase of life while continuing to create music.
Influences and Musical Evolution
Throughout the episode, Imua discusses the evolution of his music, emphasizing his desire to embrace a broader range of genres rather than sticking to a single style. He reflects on how experiences from his suburban upbringing contribute to the angst and authenticity in his music, allowing him to connect with listeners on a personal level. Imua reveals that he often revisits his past influences, which inform his current artistic direction, highlighting the importance of staying true to oneself. This journey showcases how artists can grow and adapt, acknowledging their roots while exploring new creative avenues.
Creative Process and Personal Reflection
Imua describes his creative process, focusing on the time and effort dedicated to perfecting his sound and lyrics. He speaks about the importance of iteration and experimentation, admitting that it often requires months or even years to feel satisfied with new material. Recognizing his strength in melodic flow, he discusses how collaboration has helped him push boundaries and explore new territory in his music. This continual self-reflection underscores the dedication Imua has to his craft, balancing art with vulnerability as he navigates his artistic journey.
Cultural Commentary and Community Engagement
The discussion touches on the broader cultural implications of Imua's work, especially within the context of community and identity. He reflects on how being an artist today involves more than just music; it requires engagement with cultural narratives and social issues. Imua expresses a strong desire to connect with his audience, using his platform to address themes relevant to both him and his listeners. This commitment to cultural commentary emphasizes the importance of authenticity and the responsibility artists have to foster community connection through their work.
Our interview with Tory y Moi means it’s time to bear down. Toro aka Chaz Bear—whose new album Hole Erth is out September 6th—got deep on Ben Davis vs. Dickies, buying rare Japanese sandals and eating flexitarian tacos in NYC, channeling both his inner barsman and angsty suburban kid on his latest project, going dad mode, he’s a musicals guy, working with rappers and Tyler, The Creator’s studio sessions, taking the time and care and respect to study a new genre before incorporating it into his music, the Realtree revolution, Swagapinos and karaoke, hitting up Ben Gibbard for a feature, the real reasons why so many artists today switch up their sound, what’s up with Les Sins, we fill Chaz in on his long history with our baby boy Chuck, realizing you unintentionally went stadium status, popularity perks and how even his lovely and humble ass has switched up, being just a scene kid who fell in love with a scene girl, getting teased as a kid and how much it costs to change your last name so you stop getting bullied, working at Chick-fil-A and Wendy’s, Chaz can have Doritos on the road as a little treat, hoodwinking yourself into designing right wing political propaganda and trolling back, the one tee in one tee out rule, macro thoughts on the post-Online Ceramics world of graphic tees and mixing the Gen Z digital dystopian vibes with artisanal grown man swag, Tumblr trend cycles, defend the Bay Area at all costs if you love tech, still rocking Yeezys, hotel snobbery and much more on Toro y Moi’s interview with The Only Podcast That Matters™.
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