Hot Press meets Toro Y Moi

Just a little under two years ago, South Carolina native, talented chillwave tunesmith and all-round studio wizard Chaz Bundick packed up his things and relocated to the Bay Area in California to be with the love of his life (awww). As you might imagine, this drastic change has also had an impact on his music and his January-released third album Anything In Return saw the artist, who records as Toro Y Moi, try a polished, poppier, more accessible sound with lyrics that showcase a songwriter becoming more comfortable with his new home.

“The content of the lyrics were definitely influenced by my surroundings and were much more personal this time,” says the softly-spoken musician. “I’ve been here in California for almost two years now. Everything is still awesome. I like it a lot out here.”
Opting to write and record the material for the album at the same time, Bundick tells us that he prefers to work this way in order to ensure a more free-flowing creative approach.
“The most important thing is to know when to stop,” he reflects. “That intuition is what makes a musician a good musician. You need to know when enough is enough. The process isn't perfect but it works for me.”
As well as writing all of the music, handling the production duties, playing all of the instruments and singing on the record, Chaz also designs the artwork too.
“I like to help myself out and give myself all the work I can get,” he laughs. “I’m not a massive control freak. I have all these people working for me like publicists and stuff. I just like to do graphic design. When it comes to the aesthetic of your band you need to execute it right and I’ve a background in graphic design so it makes sense for me to do it.”
With tracks like ‘Cake’ and ‘So Many Details’ among his most hook-laden to date, you’ve be forgiven for thinking Toro Y Moi’s fourth album would see him venture further down the pop alley. Chaz reveals that definitely won’t be the case.
“I’m pretty sure the next album’s not going to be as polished as this one. This record was almost like an experiment.”
But before he gets to that, Chaz is preparing to return to Ireland for a show at Forbidden Fruit as part of a huge world tour which ends in Vancouver this November.
“It’s going to be a great cap on the year and I get to finish things off with a bang.’ he beams. “After that I’m planning on having a pretty chilled 2014. When my first two records came out I was working myself way too hard and freaking out. I told myself to do things in moderation from now on and I’m enjoying it more. Forbidden Fruit should be awesome. I really want to see Daphni. I’d like to check out Chic too. It should be a cool weekend.”

Toro Y Moi plays Forbidden Fruit on the Sunday.