Genius At Play

Derrick Tan speaks to chillwave pioneer Toro y Moi on melding heritage into his newest album Mahal and reviving his rock roots for it.

- Derrick Tan

Singapore has the trishaw, Thailand has the tuk-tuk, and the jeepney belongs to the Philippines. But when the latter mysteriously appeared in front of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, puzzling thoughts ensured. Producing this unlikely phenomenon is Chaz Bear, aka Toro y Moi, for the cover of his latest full-length studio album Mahal.

“It all started with the idea of wanting to work with a vehicle, like a jeep, as a foundation to bring in a cultural element,” the musician says. “My collaborator Harry [Israelson] and I decided on the jeepney. I realised I’ve never really referenced my Filipino heritage and culture before, so I want to present [it] in a very obvious way. Something traditional that binds generations together. Because I want this album to connect listeners across generations.”

Besides music, Bear cites food as another factor that bridges people. His fond attachment was cultivated from the meals and big dinners his grandfather hosted which gathered all family members and even those in the Filipino community.

Tapping into his Filipino and African-American ancestry, Bear furthermore complements the chosen vehicle by naming the generous 13-track album in Tagalog. ‘Mahal’ translates to ‘love’ in English which aptly reflects the record’s theme of the different types of love and passion. “If a Tesla was chosen instead, it wouldn’t hold the same meaning and create the associated chain reactions in your brain,” he explains. “This combination of old machinery with new presentation came from photographer Chris Maggio’s digital crisp eye on the vehicle, resulting in a cool spin.”