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

[@toroymoi]

thanks for having us and enjoy !

[@jaroslavkorbel8385]

Good vibes.

[@Amanda-pi7fb]

Come to Chile please:(( te quiero mucho

[@The2012332]

Great set, y'all! When I escape south Arkansas imma come find you live!

[@ashlyrahman1662]

CAN’T WAIT TO SEE U LIVE IN SINGAPORE 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@utleychase7]

Toro y Moi no! Thank you

[@jason1602]

It's cool to see your high school classmate have a blossoming career and seeing the growth over the past decade. Kudos to you Chaz.

[@insan3fighter612]

That's unreal

[@JordanDrewVideos]

its cool that he's local to Columbia!

[@irkenequine]

Then we’re classmates too! I was just watching Tank and the Bangaz Tiny Desk and realized ‘yo, that’s that cool guy’s high school band!” Look at those Cola kids making waves.

[@KLB21611]

Right?! I went RV too and we had PE together...such a nice and funny kid. I had no clue he was a famous artist until my little sister told me. So now I'm researching his work.

[@casseuregi4103]

Same but he bullied me

[@jujutherabbit8061]

My man looking like the secret lovechild of Donald Glover and John Legend and I'm all for it

[@jaseneffendy17]

throw in a bit of Daddy Kane

[@ceej3093]

@@jaseneffendy17 & Miguel

[@utleychase7]

Kuro the Rabbit Chaz is the man!

[@danielliex31793]

Kuro the Rabbit YESS

[@RawkClaws]

Hah! Too good.

[@gothbunny_]

He’s such a sweet soul; ran into him after one of his dj sets, we had a moment alone before people started catching on it was him. Soon another fan inserted themselves in our convo and I quietly backed away so they can have their moment w him and he looked up at me while the fan was mid-sentence and said, ”it was really nice meeting you, have a great night. Thanks for coming” w so much endearing genuineness. Lowkey apologizing for the overzealous fan lol. He has super kind eyes and a child-like sense of humor✨

[@luis_9351]

Blow him already y DNT Cha ?

[@YizzERR]

@@gothbunny_ Ha, GOT EM!

[@JustHere4Kicks]

THATS HOW i'D IMAGINE HIM TO BE.

[@burricanecarter]

And that man was Albert Einstein.

[@Alice-Not-In-Chains]

I adore his energy...and I believe that.

[@wilco2425]

0:05 "Laws of the Universe" 3:39 "New House" 6:08 "Freelance" 10:19 "Ordinary Pleasure"

[@elpollohermano8189]

Thanks mate

[@laurants]

Those who place timestamps are always the winners. Proverbs 32:1

[@cqualif]

GOAT

[@killedbyculture1707]

mvp

[@yehudi1751]

@@laurants lol

[@yukizako0_0]

Bro dude on piano is GETTIN IT

[@OdisKKiddol]

Hayatooo san magical

[@bernlin2000]

Bass player is fantastic as well :-)

[@ryfipassword]

@@bernlin2000 bassist has a band called Kid Trails. Pretty good stuff too

[@Tonjo4]

The piano player has his own band, called Astronauts etc

[@wumblii]

I didn't know that was him! How cool! I love Astronauts etc

[@GorgonDrageil]

Its like every favorite artist I've ever had somehow ends up on NPR

[@jessevandendoren]

Add Vulf and NPR can pack up.

[@tray7787]

Right. Whoever is in charge of setting up shows needs a pay raise

[@Randhawa241]

Wise One if frank ocean comes one day I’d cry

[@fetusfromspace]

@@Randhawa241 I heard he's got one coming up a in a month so just check back in 2 years later

[@bernlin2000]

Hipsters know good music, I'll give them that :-P

[@paula.m.4996]

I love his music, but I also wanted to say that he’s very cute.

[@surgodt]

Absolutely. I don't think I am attracted to guys, but boy is he a handsome one.

[@jkntrds9635]

voice and lyrics so flat tho

[@goopber]

@@surgodt that's what they all say

[@robgoose]

It just confirms how well these songs are written when they sound this good without synth and such.

[@matinee99]

that’s exactly how I feel! What a shame. I actually skipped his songs on Spotify before.

[@PotatoCruncher12]

Yup, behind all those computer generated sounds and such, there’s some beautiful chords and stuff behind it

[@Whiteplumm]

I think it’s way better this way

[@lateshiachilds3640]

I truly agree

[@lateshiachilds3640]

@@Whiteplumm me too

[@AlexBloggFilm]

I love Toro y Moi, he manages to keep it fresh with every release and his work is prolific, man works hard. Respect.

[@JoshLuke864]

Alex Blogg Spot on, long live this man

[@thamamukumela9514]

Toro y Moi is the group. Lead vocalist name is Chaz.

[@AlexBloggFilm]

@@thamamukumela9514 haha, yeah I spotted that after I commented. Chaz basically makes Toro y Moi though right?

[@DRRNNDGL]

@@thamamukumela9514 Toro Y Moi is a solo project, Chaz just performs live as a band.

[@MemphisTNDoosy]

Thama Mukumela thank you for saying this. Toro Y Moi is the whole band. Chaz is the vocalist. All of these guys are dope.

[@prettyawesomejm]

NPR is confirmation that we have good taste in music.

[@l3gendbaap963]

indeed

[@DEY-G]

Facts

[@prettyawesomejm]

Ѯ Aww. Thanks. I’m actually not snobby or hip but your comment makes me feel like I’m on the right track.

[@erosionhead420]

Defund NPR.

[@smalltownpeace]

An acoustic version of all these songs should be released, esp New House! 10/10

[@micahedgehill494]

Cameron Barnes agreed!

[@robertolonardi8797]

New House is absolutely gorgeous in this version!

[@Petit-Jose]

And the Funk shall be within you.

[@nefrettitim]

*🐶🌈 puppies & rainbows 🌈🐶*

[@BordenWill]

POP

[@bbenny91]

Please get hiatus kaiyote and vulfpeck to do tiny desk.

[@shuttlexqw]

vulfpeck would be insane

[@Alec_Sai]

hiatus!!!!!

[@mbatterham]

Haitus would be amazing for tiny desk! Luckily I’m seeing them on Friday

[@desadoc]

and peach pit maybe, or please

[@jamrockkid211]

I second that!

[@PersonalitySituation]

He looks and sounds like he could love me so sweetly.

[@KiloCharlieOne]

Chaz out here making that hipster trap music.

[@TheKsae]

like trying to be ironic, or not?

[@tobyneo10101]

It’s “indie hipster trap vibe art noises”

[@nxo-wp4bs]

Yes

[@desveauxvalentin5417]

I want him to take me to a cofee place where we will discuss about our feelings and about love.

[@klove33]

Desveaux Valentin yea!

[@Dinastro417]

😂 jc

[@sophwatts05]

this is so wholesome

[@luis_9351]

Quit being so gay .....ok?

[@lucianburns5870]

Luis _ fuck off luis

[@antoniovelazquez7133]

Toro a goat but s/o's to the audio engineers for this one

[@dayebeats]

Antonio Velazquez facts it’s coming out of my system really clean and the clarity is amazing

[@iLLsicilian]

Right!

[@DOODYDUM]

the shakers sound so beautiful :o

[@paulihlenfeldt9920]

The mixing is insane!!!

[@ghostphoto1789]

rarely do u see engineers get this much love in KZbin comments lol. "YO THIS MASTERING GOES HARD AF 😤"

[@TurtleBoyKoop]

I dont know what it is about “new house” that does something to my soul, even the original version, so simple, yet so...ahhhhhh

[@keithbrisbane7775]

You know that feeling you get when you see a friend and it just makes you smile. I get that every time.

[@igniskoyote7877]

Man, big same! I couldn't stop smiling all throughout. Chaz just has such a genuine, happy kind face and eyes; every time he smiles I can't help but smile as well :))

[@Medallyon]

Reality's tight when the music is right :)

[@porcelainegg]

if*

[@crystinamarie1]

Ain't no reason to fight ❤

[@jblairhoward]

I’m cracking open a Pellegrino right now! From the bottle, no cup of course.

[@Louis_B]

my man

[@seneca4ever]

What mean this

[@TheAlphaDJ]

​@@seneca4ever It's a lyric from his song "Girl Like You". Pellegrino is a type of mineral water that usually comes in glass bottles and as you can tell from the lyrics, his ideal preference in consuming it, is straight from the bottle- no cup. of course.

[@mixedlove1234]

You rebel 💋

[@YizzERR]

Hell yeah nigga, turn up.

[@soysauce10]

The sound is SO CLEAN!

[@VanIsleBC]

tiny desk engineers are LEGENDARY

[@felipejaduehalabi909]

we need a Solange tiny desk

[@JuanGarcia-ps7ue]

Felipe Jadue Halabi In her recent live shows, she tends to squat a lot... I’d love to see her sing and squat on a desk 😂

[@geimzz]

A SOTC tiny desk

[@shanellaakhtar1]

YES YES AND YES

[@ChristopherFrydryck]

Chaz is the kind of guy to do a group project and not put his name on it. This guy seems super humble. Keep it up guys!

[@stevenanderson4553]

I just can’t get over the sound quality of every Tiny Concert I’ve heard...and that’s pretty much every one of them!!

[@KingDavid314]

It's easy to set your levels in small spaces.

[@hudbud22]

Chaz's energy is contagious

[@joelroy9457]

Why does this not have 1 million views yet? gosh this man deserves tens of millions... a legend in the mist

[@ssunami_love1909]

This man is Just BEAUTIFUL!!! Inside AND Out!

[@dillonjohnlane]

Drums are so crisp, everyone's in sync, pleasure to watch

[@q.8965]

I love the rhinestones on under his eyes - he looks so cute!!

[@alecat4728]

A loooooook

[@TheSillyStringTheory]

like fctories far away

[@sierrafernmilker3683]

I still come back to this as one of my favorite Tiny Desks. ❤️

[@svolveras]

One of my best discoveries of the 2010’s, Toro y moi

[@camcam2920]

Did he just reference Prometheus and Bob?!! Outstanding.

[@kurashi_]

So glad hes on this show, Ive been a fan of toro y moi for many years

[@jainsworr]

That’s the funkiest upright piano!

[@viv9239]

Outer peace and anything in return are two of my favorite albums of all time

[@nightowl1596]

YOOOOOOOO TORO Y MOI IS IN TINY DESK

[@eugenemayukim3455]

I want to cry everytime I listen to New house, and this acoustic version is really overwhelming me

[@Apfelwolken]

I feel exactly the same. So many songs sound far better when they are played in front of a tiny desk...

[@zatoichiMiyamoto]

The piano reminds me of japanese jazz-hop, i would die for a version with sax on it.

[@aferike89]

I am listening it 10 times a day, cuz my 2yo daughter asks me. She is like "Eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh" all day. :D

[@drewrowe2551]

My 3 year old daughter is hooked on the Idles tiny desk. She runs around saying "concrete to leather!" All day

[@camilodelfierroacevedo5292]

Lol im hooked right now to idles and toro y moi, and my 3 year son sings that same toro & moy bit

[@thachuckmane]

This is my 1st time hearing this music and its timeless.

[@wfifer]

Love how that mantra gains steam through the performance: "I want a brand new house; something I cannot buy, something I can't afford." It gets sillier and realer the more you say it, the independent clauses intertwining and feeding back on each other.

[@cowboysnationtv5538]

That’s me playing percussion at the end 🙏🏾

[@cowboysnationtv5538]

Check out FootsXColes

[@jonsebastian2359]

🙌🏻💪🏻

[@huntrrams]

Cowboys Nation TV 👏🏻👏🏻

[@jmateo55]

you killed it!!!

[@hansencarnacion5886]

ayyy

[@prettyhamburger6462]

How in the world... I opened KZbin thinking hey, I'd quite like to hear Toro y moi rn and there he was! First video! On tiny desk! What

[@prettyhamburger6462]

Did the same happen to all of you or like why am I getting all the likies ^^

[@IzaacArtist]

Dude same

[@prettyhamburger6462]

Isn't that just so cool when that happens

[@emilybock7610]

I love Chaz’s work. Every new album. Every new sound. He’s like my musical soulmate. Also, very sweet. Noticed me vibing front row of one of his concerts and directly handed me the set list. Love him for that

[@eddypalogrande6090]

The pianist, Anthony Ferraro, is also known as Astronauts, etc. Great stuff 😌

[@nousername2942]

Thought he looked familiar, interesting!

[@5324man1]

No wonder he’s so fire

[@mrprivette]

DID NOT KNOW THAT!!

[@civ1993]

Yuppp!! Dude is fire, hope me make more music soon.

[@Dwight2744]

Thanks for the recommendation. I dig it.

[@j.molina8819]

Perfect way to have started my morning

[@londynharris-elzein]

chaz’s voice is so light and clear i adore it

[@matthias.hess1]

These songs are great. I love when heavily-produced music is stripped down this way--it really shows whether the music can stand on its own.

[@unchirrienparis6554]

Toro’s work is so amazing. Seeing them here is even more exciting. Love from Colombia.

[@blenjamin]

6:17 chaz taking a sip of some W A A A A T E E A H E A H E H E H R very cool

[@mandoranda5576]

Ben Smith plo

[@manv69]

So in love with this, Toro y Moi always manages to keep fresh, impressive to see him on tiny desk

[@laurenstoneham]

Everything about this performance is amazing! I love his voice, lyrics and genuine warmth that he radiates. Also, nice shoutout to Cazadero. The band is wonderful too. Such a different experience hearing these songs stripped down and raw. Thanks, Tiny Desk. You’ve done it again.

[@SiAna22]

Toro is a guaranteed vibe! 😌 love how they dip into different sounds with each coming project, yet keep their same underlying essence. Can’t wait to see what’s next!

[@Xuevium]

Upbeat and energetic music full of life, thank you!

[@ayub2652]

Cant stop coming back to this amazing performance

[@Seapatico]

This is my new favorite tiny desk concert.

[@mayerlylara1600]

Freelance had me dancing up out of my seat !!! Chaz’s energy during this whole concert was contagious for sure ! ✌️✨

[@TheTheoTherone]

Never realized til now how much Chaz's voice sounds like Rivers Cuomo's. No dis. Awesome hearing such a stripped down version of Toro y Moi!

[@devontewilson216]

Except that Rivers can sing

[@uglyguyy]

cant unhear anymore

[@jacksoneudy4455]

his early work is heavily influenced by weezer

[@evanzhuo297]

@@devontewilson216 honestly river's singing on his tiny desk was a lot worse than this performance. IMO at least.

[@RonilBhatiaMusic]

What the fuckkkkk

[@rohittota]

just clicked on this while my Netflix was loading. Stayed until the end. Awesome!!

[@SlimboySheep]

James Murphy is playing at my house... my house

[@hughanmilborrow4604]

Proceeds to sing about wanting to buy a brand new house 🤔😂

[@Joseph-ey8vv]

I met him at...Coachella.

[@fetchstixRHD]

All rare shit, from Flying Dutchman...

[@bernlin2000]

Love that reference, he even sings it like James would

Child voice ...all we need that...👍👍🙏🙏

[@arkanchristian9298]

This guys smile seems so kind and warm

[@MaXaNoMaLoUs]

I still bump “soo many details” at least once a week. A perfect song

[@jasonbiggs603]

These guys seem like such cool dudes. Love the vibes. Thanks for making music!

[@AlfredoGarcia-od7qc]

i've been waiting for this for so long, thanks NPR

[@Shawn-wt4kh]

Okay I watched this like 4 times. This band is incredible live.

[@mruiz8221]

i always come back to this. i love you chaz.

[@andregonzales04]

I'm no bassist but the bass lines on these songs are 🔥🔥🔥 grooves for days.

[@pablobravo1997]

0:05 - Laws of the Universe 3:39 - New house 6:07 - Freelance 10:20 - Ordinary Pleasure

[@stellaborealis4846]

I love his sweet voice!! What a great musician, lyricists, artist, creator and producer he is. Toro y Moi has been my favorite during the last year, pretty much ever since I discovered him. I love him ❤️. He is one of the greatest music legends of our generation guys!

[@JOWISZIA]

I've been listening to him for long years now and he is still so frkn fresh

[@andrewcourcy7877]

dynamic between keys and bass is monumental. singer kills. one of the best i’ve heard on npr. bring back that disco baby, in an intellectual mastery.

[@pizzamukbang9280]

Man for all the electronic type beats on their album, they sound really good in a live setting. Props to the audio engineers too.

[@danitestalkr]

Recently discovered their music, love it Thank you Phantogram radio on Amazon Prime

[@TheBlaineNichollsShow]

This one keeps bringing me back

[@user-in8qm8hl1g]

no u dont understand this is a human sunshine and that smile is making me melt

[@irinazurita9939]

They sound so good, glad to get to know " Toro & Moi"

[@atabutter440]

I loved this and am dancing around the room. :)

[@utleychase7]

CHAZ! ITS SO GOOD TO SEE YOU ON NPR’S TINY DESK! ! Been waiting months for this set! I love the A Capella of the synths, and vibe all around! So playful and spunky!

[@falcond226]

Genさんのストーリーから、 やっとたどり着けた 最高です！ realized again how to big the world after listen this 🎶 😊

[@Harolddiary]

I don't... and then the piano started playing.. That was dope, what a smooth transition!

[@seanc1094]

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

[@nathankizzia]

I'm obsessed with this performance.

[@briangregory_]

this energy ugh i love it

[@gabrielnoel7168]

“nothings work than worse unnoticed” *chaz pulls funny face* 😂

[@aristocratmusic]

@7:20 lmao

[@bernlin2000]

Well this was just delightful, and clear evidence Chaz didn't need all that electronic stuff to sound great...dude's talent is RAW 🌟

[@elrabeechum5180]

Wow, didn't think this would work...but it do! So laid-back and groovy. Good job Chaz and co.!

[@stellaborealis4846]

Wow. The PIANO guy is spectacular!! He plays with passion!

[@Mannydude96]

New House is so good

[@justinlaboy2508]

This has me on straight Rose Quartz. *I feel weak uh huh*

[@zuri_catto]

such a soft and beautiful voice

[@rickberkelmans9335]

already my favorite Tiny Desk ever!!! best vibes!

[@lateshiachilds3640]

I love Tiny Desk amazing guest on this show, I'm fan of most of the artists that been on here. Toro y Moi is amazing his singing voice remind me of Miguel and Steve Lacy.

[@deepfault]

All of my feels 😭👌👌

[@celestemadronal3270]

We're proud and happy for you Chaz, keep on singing coz your talent and heart we could feel it. - Madronal Family from Davao City. 🇵🇭⭐💖

[@niko-ng2vl]

Ohh this guy!! I love his sound

[@hopehadduck]

Quirky but I like these guys! I could see listening to them while bbq'ing in the backyard this summer... 👏👏👏

[@nefrettitim]

*🐶🌈 puppies & rainbows 🌈🐶*

[@KingDayDayDay00]

These dudes are dope. Check out all their songs

[@RemarkableRyan]

They've got an awesome back catalog for you to discover! Personally, "Anything in Return" is my favorite album.

[@chongpooka2769]

Sounds SO clean!

[@mordreddelavirac]

This is an incredible band, exceptional talent with an amazing and eclectic sound. What i really love is they always, no matter what they play, manage to keep the mood light and sunny, with a cool breeze.

[@elore7108]

I love you guys!! I’m so thankful to Flume for showing me this band ❤️