Toro Y Moi July 27, 2010

Toro Y Moi is 23 year old American Chaz Bundick, whose chilled out, down tempo beats and ethereal lyrics are gaining attention worldwide.

Article interviewed him on the theme of copying, for Issue 0

For this issue we are looking at copying as a creative process, perhaps because being original, reactive, and subversive is not always appropriate or possible. Do you find copying is a helpful place to start with music?

I think it’s a very helpful way to start. And because things happen in cycles or phases, I think that you, as a songwriter, will eventually move on and create something of your own. for me a lot of my earlier recordings were very similar to artist like Ellliot Smith, Animal Collective, and Broken Social Scene. I was and still am a big fan of the most recent recording sounds and styles.

Chill-wave is frequently used to describe the sound that you share with a few other American musicians (Washed Out, Neon Indian, Best coast etc.) Do you find being in a newly christened genre that you guys copy and influence one-another?

I think we all have similar influences and sounds but I wouldn’t say we influence each other’s sound. But I would say that we push each other to make something new and a step up.

Musicians often list their ‘influences’. Do you think there is a difference between being influenced and copying?

Of course, copying would be when you try to make a template of some sort and then go by it to create something. But influence is when you take in certain elements of that artist.

Who has influenced you?

Some of my influences are J Dilla, My Bloody Valentine, and Daft Punk.

If there was anything that you could copy, what would it be?

I would copy trey songz. and if I could rap, I’d copy drake and lil weezy.

Have you been copied? How does it feel?

I’ve heard bands that say they’ve been influenced by this wave of new music and its obvious. But i wouldnt say it’s copying me because when I listen to it, it doesn’t sound exactly like me.

Toro Y Moi plays at The Harley, Sheffield for Drowned In Sound, July 28.