We actually ran into each other at a cafe. We’re always on tour – in a bus, in crappy hotels, nice hotels… You name it, we're there. Comedians and musicians have this bond that's really special, because we're sort of the artists that are on the ground. What can you tell us about how you came to collaborate with surrealist comedian Eric Andre on the “MAHAL” companion film “ Goes by So Fast ?”įirst of all, Eric Andre is brilliant. So it's a nice, refreshing new chapter outside of the lockdown. … Everyone's like, shocked, that we're doing something that public. Also, in case we weren't able to go on the road, I would like to at least be able to bring the music to people around town, take it to a record shop, coffee shop, DJ it out the Jeep, sell some T-shirts, and just have a local, guerilla foot on the ground. That's pretty much the main initiative or motive. And I think we're now in a time and place where we need to start rebuilding our circles and connecting with the community again. What brought about this grassroots approach? So you’ve been rolling out your spin on the “Magical Mystery Tour” all over the Bay Area with different pop-up events to connect with the community. When I bought it, it had 3000 miles on it. And in the ‘60s… I forgot the name of this mogul guy, but he commissioned two of these Jeeps to come to the States to give tours of his home development subdivision. After the war, it was disassembled, and turned into a bus. It's made from a 1942 Willys Jeep from World War Two. It was coming from Minneapolis, but the Jeep is from the Philippines. So yeah, love, flower power… I really just felt like rebranding.Ĭan you tell us a little more about the origins of this Jeep? Where was it delivered from? I wanted a title that was one word, that would represent the psychedelic rock themes for this record. I think the main factor was finding the Jeep, and then came naming it. I can say “Mahal kita,” which is “I love you.” So that's the origin of my connection to the phrase, my mom would say that.īetween the Tagalog album title, and the Jeepney you’ve been touring, the connection to your Filipino heritage feels very front and center. “Mahal” is Tagalog, or Filipino, for “love.” It also means “expensive,” so to me, it equates to “highly valued and cherished.” Can you tell us a bit about the meaning behind the title?Ĭhaz Bear: Thank you. KCRW: Your new record “MAHAL” is beautiful. The following interview has been edited for length and clarity. Toro Y Moi make for consummate houseguests. Postman and a trippy-ass cake from Solar Return.Īfter the (delightful) chaos of our last Backyard session, the extremely chill vibes were welcome - complete with impromptu band DJ sets, piano serenades, doodle sessions, and martinis in the hot tub (long after attendees had left). Bear also sat down with Morning Becomes Eclectic hosts Novena Carmel and Anthony Valadez to talk Tagalog, Eric Andre, and an abiding love for Arby’s. Two days out from the record's release, the band stopped by Anne's Backyard for a psychedelic set above the LA skyline, featuring singles "Deja Vu," "Postman," and more. The result is an album and a tour that feels close to the ground - organic, open, and sprawling, but not without moments of pure dance floor bliss, a la lead single “Postman.” With “MAHAL,” Toro Y Moi ventures into lush, dreamy psych-rock territory, emerging from a (semi)post-pandemic haze in a custom Filipino Jeepney to take Bear and his crew to meet their people where they already were - coffee houses, record shops, and East Bay views. The only constant throughline is mastermind Bear’s sublimely-tuned ear for the most interesting sounds in electro, funk, R&B, jazz, and weirdo pop… not to mention his knack for assembling the perfect crew of collaborators to help bring his visions to life. We’ve gleefully tracked Toro’s evolution from its earliest days as a one-man laptop band to its current full combo status. are back in the loop with "MAHAL," the surreal-pop project's first LP since 2019's "Outer Peace." In need of some mind expansion? Toro y Moi is here to help you feel the love.
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