Fresh from the South: Toro Y Moi (with Video)
January 28th, 2010 • Electronic, News, Release Calendar, South Carolina, Video
We all know South Carolina as the bastion of the Confederacy, Palmettos, Boiled Peanuts and Sweet Tea… But Chillwave? Apparently. Toro Y Moi, a band that derives its name from a mashup of Romance language word meaning The Bull and Me, is a rising star in the growing genre, and he calls Columbia, South Carolina home.
His most recent album, Causers of This, was released this month as a digital download and will come out in a hard copy February 2 on Carpark Records. The Internet buzz machine is alive with support of what he is doing. Even Kanye West agrees with the hype of this former USC Gamecock, Chazwick Bundick (what a name!).
Indeed, despite his whole aura, he manages to come from what many agree is a mediocre wasteland, that being Columbia, SC. Being from this state, I can attest that our capital is among the most boring places on Earth. Certainly hiking on the Appalachian Trail or even taking a trip to Argentina would be much more exciting than being marooned in Columbia. This is probably one of the reasons why I am so enthralled with the idea of Toro Y Moi’s existence. He gives me reason to believe that good music can come from anywhere.
Its not the most up-tempo music, but as far as chillwave is concerned, it is probably the most dance-able around. So far he has one show coming up in New England. It is on March 27th in the Middle East Upstairs in Cambridge, Ma. opening for the Ruby Suns.
Check out his video here – Blessa from the album Causers of This:
-Doug Ray and Bradley McGraw (From South Carolina)
Doug Ray is the Co-Host of Saltimbocca and Escargot on WRBC (8-10 PM Sunday). Bradley McGraw is the Co-Host of Kaleo Doctor on WRBC (10 PM-12 AM Sunday).