Toro y Moi: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

April 29, 2019 | Bobby Carter -- Chaz Bear, who performs as Toro y Moi, is going to do what he feels. In preparation for his Tiny Desk concert, we were given two possible sound scenarios: aim to recreate the heavily electronic and lustrous aura that birthed his latest LP, Outer Peace or strip away the bells and whistles for an acoustic performance. The game-time decision was the latter and fans were treated to brand new iterations of these songs.

Toro y Moi's discography conveys that same unpredictability and showcases his affinity for a wide span of genres. While largely known as an early pioneer of chillwave, Outer Peace is anything but. It's hard-hitting, funky and directly to the point, as is this Tiny Desk concert. Stripping down such heavily produced songs could risk revealing weaknesses. In this case, the rhythms move just the same. Removing the Auto-Tune, synths and effects make way for some insightful songwriting that's often hard to hear in the recorded version.

"Life is only wishing we could load it
Level up, you've got to make a bonus
Mystic staring at his phone for oneness
Silver or black mirror, what's the difference?"

With shaker in tow, Bear sat front and center at a stool to deliver four of my favorites from Outer Peace, including "Ordinary Pleasure," with bongo assistance from Foots of Foot and Coles.

SET LIST
"Laws of the Universe"
"New House"
"Freelance"
"Ordinary Pleasure"

MUSICIANS
Chaz Bear: lead vocal; Andy Woodward: drums; Tony Ferraro: piano; Patrick Jeffords: bass; Foots: bongos, shaker

CREDITS
Producers: Bobby Carter, Morgan Noelle Smith; Creative Director: Bob Boilen; Audio Engineers: Josh Rogosin, James Willetts; Videographers: Morgan Noelle Smith, CJ Riculan, Beck Harlan, Bronson Arcuri; Photo: Claire Harbage/NPR

[seanc]

Such a Vibe💙..I needed this, this early

[DeeDeeHollander-bj]

Simply stated; AMAZING! I could listen all day

[quetzal]

Love the vibe. His voice on the recorded versions sounds way better. Some people sound good either way, naturally good singers.

[CueTheStage]

I came across a short clip on NPR’s IG page today and I must say this artist has great music ❤

[Dee-hzj]

LOVIN” THIS! WHY ARENT MORE PEOPLE AWARE? 🥰

[moecillas]

i didn’t know he had a tiny desk 😭😭 i’m complete now.. ☮️

[DeeDeeHollander-bj]

You still together in 2025? The world needs MORE!

[nlsantiesteban]

Never listened to Toro y Moi though it was part of the scenes I was in. But something like this, stripped down with live instruments is something I could get into.

[DJWax]

Beautiful stuff! Thanks for the upload

[MD-onfi]

someone should do a Toro y Moi listening party.. it is 420 after all

[upinnaclouds]

I wish he also did some of his older songs

[madita]

I’d love if he did an acoustic album or something more along the lines of omaha

[carlososoriocortes]

When Tiny Desk used to do good sessions

[SheaBierman]

1.25 speed adds a lot of energy to this.

[dial_up_romance]

awesome how they kept the vocal mic dry and authentic