TORO Is Coming, and You Better Be Ready

The band talks about ‘Frasier,’ their aspirations and an immense love for chicken wings.

By Erica Javadpour

Maryland-based indie/alternative rock band TORO (dubbing themselves as Toro All Caps, to emphasize that their name is indeed in all caps) is the love child of four guys who say they’ve struck musical gold in finding each other and the products they create.

I was able to catch up with them a year after their performance at WMUC’s Third Rail, and talk all about the past, present and future of the band.

How did TORO start? Take me back.

Isaac: Chris, Soma [TORO’s former drummer] and I all went to Montgomery College together, we met Sam through Soma, then we all started jamming from late 2019. We met Marco through a recording session at DMV Sessions. Then Soma wasn’t part of this anymore, so we reached out to Marco, and then everything fell into place seamlessly. And that’s pretty much it to the present day.

Sam: Somebody was looking at something on their phone that said “top wreath: on it, and Isaac was like, ‘That’d be a great name for a shoegaze band.’

Was it a formalized thing, or just happened because you guys were jamming in the same places and happened to find each other?

Isaac: Moreso the second. We invaded Sam’s house and just started rockin’.

What was the turning point where you guys were like, ‘We’re having a lot of fun, we should make this a formalized thing with a title’?

Sam: The month before the show, we were just grinding everyday working on lyrics, working on melodies, different sections from songs. Our newest song “Daphne’s Room” came from that period. It made me realize when we all put our heads together and are focused on a common goal, we can really be something great.

So, was it ‘We want to perform live, our band should have a title’?

Sam: We used to be called ‘Top Wreath’ then we were like ‘We should change the name to Little Toro’ then it became ‘Toro’ because ‘Toro’ is strong, it’s concise.

Isaac: I have to clear the air about something. Chris and I came up with the name ‘Toro’ initially because we really rock with Air Jordans. The Air Jordan 4 Toro is one of the hardest shoes one can have. But in [another] interview, Chris said it’s based off the zodiac sign.

As for your four, what are you all doing? Is TORO what takes up most of your time, or do you have other stuff you’re trying to balance it with?

Marco: I’m trying to have a career in music. As backup, I do live audio, live sound at the DMV studios, running sound for churches and stuff.

Chris: I’m in between jobs, but I’m trying to work in the political field, specifically doing policy analyst research or research regarding race and ethnicity.

Isaac: After this semester [of school], I’m going to take a little break then probably go to trade school.

Sam: I’m at AU [American University] right now in the audio technology program.

What do you guys do together when it’s not making music?

Chris: ‘America’s Best Wings.’

Isaac: Took the words out of my mouth. We get food, at the same place.

Who is Daphne, and why are we in her room?

Sam: I love “Frasier,” and there’s a character named Daphne, and there’s an episode of “Frasier” called Daphne's room. [...] I wasn’t writing about Daphne in particular, but it was thoughts of when you’re feeling crap in certain circumstances.

Chris: It’s about a toxic relationship somewhat, and feeling trapped in a way.

Where do you guys want to be in the next year?

All: On tour.

Do you have a dream venue you’d like to perform at?
Isaac: Either Chain Reaction in California or the First Unitarian Church in Philly.

Chris: I want to perform at a Sonic’s drive-through or a Denny’s.

Sam: I either want to play in Japan, or I want to sell out the 9:30 Club.

What are you guys working on that will be out soon

Isaac: We’re working on a longer EP. We’re looking at early December for release.