When it comes down to the bare bones of a musician’s being, there is nothing but determination, perseverance, and dedication embedded. LA.CityZine is proud to bring you artist, Toho Saunders, as part of our Know Your LA Bands series. Toho Saunders was lucky as a kid. His mom was a music school teacher and his dad was part of Motown’s greatest era. Â With these family influences along with what he absorbed from the radio, he became very fond of all genres of music. However, he found his greatest love in Jamaica.
Toho Saunders is now an accomplished bass player, producer and composer of the greatest reggae/funk/r&b beats we have ever heard from the Bay area. Although you may hear influences of Bob Marley and Don Carlos, that doesn’t mean his arrangements haven’t been sought out by artists in other genres. He’s worked with Ghostface Killah and Wu-Tang and is looking forward to collaborating with artists such as Mary J. Blige and Will.I.Am.
Saunders is also the brain behind Shematics: Vol 1, the album distributed through Vibe Arc (Vibrational Architecture). Beats and melody are beautifully put together in this album and we can’t wait to find out what Saunders has created next. We had the pleasure of speaking with Toho Saunders, himself. Check out the interview below and and find out a little more about the talented musician.
Could you give a brief description of your music?
My music has ghettotech, hardstep, and lounge-like qualities.
How long have you been playing music?
I started drumming at three years old.
How many instruments can you play?
I play bass, drums, guitar, keyboards, and vocals.
Where do you see your music in 10 years?
I see my music catalog out in the open for singers, dancers and lovers to feel.
What would be the best compliment someone could give you about your music?
“That’s a sick beat dude!! It makes me rock my head back and forth” would be the best compliment someone could give me about my music.
What’s the best piece of advice someone has ever given you and did you take notice?
“It’s now or never” was a pretty good piece of advice that made me want to move and get busy.
What would be the best piece of advice you could give someone trying to break into the music business?
It’s not for the swift but for those who can endure.
What’s your most memorable experience on the road story?
Singing Satta Masa Gana in Brazil to a cop to get out of a ticket.
Dead or alive. What 5 acts would you have play with you at a festival?
Bob Marley, Jaco Pastorius , Jimmy Hendrix, James Brown, and Billie Holiday.
How do you get ready for a live show?
It depends on how well I know the set I’m about to play.
What’s your favorite song to play live? Why?
“Is This Love” by Bob Marley because the song puts a good feeling in my soul.
If you could rid the world of one song, what would it be?
Every song has its place for what ever soul that created it. That’s God’s work, not mine.
What messages do you hope your songs send out to listeners? If any.
I want to be loved just like everybody else.
If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?
Who am I to change anything…… this place is blessed.
Do you support any local charities? If so, who? If not, would you like to?
Yes. Every time we play music, somehow there is a charity going on - conscious or unconscious.
What’s your favorite LA radio station and or DJ?
KCRW - Roger Stefens
What’s your guilty pleasure?
Brown sugar.
What’s the best cure for a hangover?
Coconut water.
What would be your perfect LA day?
A fat southern swell surf session in the morning at county line, lay some fat tracks in a million dollar studio, and play a big show at The Hollywood Bowl in the evening.
What three things could you not live without?
Love, Respect, and Water.
Tell us a fact about yourself we probably don’t already know.
I am left handed.
Photography by Marie Mendoza, Michelle Lani; 613 Photography
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1 response so far ↓
1 Robin Smith // Sep 18, 2008 at 9:21 am
I love this article on Toho, enjoyed the interview. I have had the pleasure of working with Toho and consider it a honor and a pleasure. I think what I truly like the most is that he is so humble very down to earth. You can’t help but love him and respect such a blessed talent he shares with us all. Believe me Toho will be around for a long time, I’m so excited for him.
Much Respect ,
Robin
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