Interviews

There’s a lot of love for Toribio in Brooklyn. A key figure in the New York party scene, with an undeniable energy that radiates throughout. From hosting the BDA parties to his residency at The Lot, Toribio has a dedicated following who share his passion for his brand of soulful house. For his next release - ‘Daylight’ - the jazz-trained multi-instrumentalist features his sister Sharin on vocals. Here we get the chance to talk to this hugely talented and much-loved fixture of the Brooklyn scene.

Where are you at this moment and how are you planning to spend the rest of the day?

I'm in Brooklyn NY slowly freezing to death. I plan on working all day into the night in my studio on the next Conclave album.

Where were you born and raised?

I was born and raised in Tampa, Fl to Dominican parents.

Where are you based now?

I'm based in NYC and have been for the past 12 years or so. Really this city is where I have been afforded the opportunity to grow into the person and artist I've become.

How is the health of the house music scene where you live in your opinion? Is it alive and kicking?

The house scene is healthy, thriving I might even say. We are in a place of abundance, of different clubs and venues to dance and connect together. We are blessed with many monthly or frequently happening parties by so many legends like Danny Krivit, DJ Spinna, Tony Humphries, Geology, Theo Parrish, Louie Vega and Anane, Eli Escobar, Justin Strauss, and the list goes on and on and on…

How long have you been making music? What was your first step?

I don't know the exact timeframe of how long I've been making music. I’ve been a musician basically all my life and have been creating and learning since I was young. My first step was learning how to play drums/percussion and singing in church. But I guess I started producing my own music consistently since about 2008.

When was the moment that you crossed the line into becoming an artist and what moments lead up to that?

Good question. I remember making the decision of becoming my own artist in college and to step out from behind backing up artists. Maybe around 2009/2010.

I had been playing in bands and leading small jazz combos through high school into college. But I realized I had more music to express myself and had to take the step of putting myself out there in front of the bandstand. It took a lot of courage to quell the self-doubt that was inherited through a bunch of experiences.

You are working with Juliet Records on this new release. Tell us a little about your relationship with the guys.

They are the best! First Dave1 approached me at a block party in Bedstuy and gave props for the Conclave album that dropped. I was super honored and excited that he even listened to it and on top of that fucked with it.

We kept in touch and he and Atrak tapped me for a remix for an artist on the label. That remix didn’t work out eventually for natural reasons of timing. I believe I ran into Atrak a few times randomly at events in NYC around this time. After some time of random chats on IG and run ins I brought the idea of doing Daylight and they were fully down.

Super cool to have two siblings work with two other siblings (me and my sister). It’s all very seamless and familiar.

I’d love to hear about the initial idea for the track Daylight. When did you first approach the concept and what was your original intention with this release?

Originally I produced the track for that remix that never happened. It was actually the Alternate version that came first. Then I was feeling what was cooking up, so I made a dub version too. I decided not to let such a nice track that I was proud of go to waste. That’s when I tapped my sister to come up with ideas so we can make our own original. We used the dub version that is now labeled "The original" and then created this.

Tell us about Sharin and what it was like working with her on this track?

My sister is a high-quality vocalist and super professional when it comes to recording and writing. We have been making music together since we were kids, so it was pretty seamless. She tracked her own vocals and made up the vocal arrangement and she’s a G at it.

What are you most proud of with Daylight?

Musically the bass line in the latter half of the alternate version haha. But really that we really captured our real feelings and put it in the song. We dug deep within our literal situation and grabbed it and wrung it out to what you hear. I’m proud of the feedback we’ve received that it resonates.

What was the most challenging part of bringing the release together?

It’s practice in patience. It took a lot of time and moving parts (shout out to my management Movingparts). It’s not one thing but the amalgamation of all the different things that have to come together.

I guess this record marks a lot of years in the music business, I’d love to hear your thoughts on how your creative process has changed and remained the same over the years. Do you approach anything different now?

It’s been pretty much the same in that there isn’t one way I make music. I’ve been trying to play things more and do more whole takes rather than punching things in or copy and pasting. But it’s all a struggle to simplify more and more. I try to obey my instincts more and be open to different routes and happenings.

Once a piece is finished, how important is it for you to let it lie and evaluate it later?

Generally, even before the piece even gets to your ears I've already heard it a million times. So generally, once it’s done I won’t listen to it for a long time so that its energy can hit me fresh. Very few times I will bounce and start playing in my sets as I have with Daylight.

Are you a perfectionist? How much tweaking do you allow until you're satisfied with a track?

I don’t think the word perfectionist describes my mentality with this art. I definitely will keep tweaking until I feel I can no longer make this any better with just the skills I possess. I am trying to tweak less and let the piece reveal to me its cracks.

After finishing a record and putting out there, there can often be a sense of emptiness. Can you relate to this?

What fills my cup is definitely creation. I don't feel emptiness but rather relief once I put a record out there haha. It's like going through such a tough relationship in a densely packed amount of time. So, once it’s out I just need a cigarette and a break lol.

Do you find that feedback from others is important to you? Are there sometimes misunderstandings or does feedback from your peers help you to gain new insights?

Feedback in itself is not as important but rather "the right" feedback. When the feedback is something that resonates with me, good or bad, I take it.

Sometimes people have their own perceptions and biases, and I try to know what those are when I send music to that person. It helps me understand the lens that they might be seeing through. Sometimes I can understand how musical cognition works within the brain and use that to understand how a person can be interpreting the piece.

What was most important for you to convey through this EP? Do you feel you have achieved it?

This is coming from a deep real place in our lives. If you truly know me and what we have been going through you see how real this feels. I hope the feelings of hope and uplift are felt because we came from some darkness to find it.

What drives you to continue creating music?

Purpose. But honestly I feel my mental health declines after not creating music. Also, I feel like I’m always close to creating the thing I need to create but I never get to it because other music reveals itself first.

What can we hope to see next from Toribio?

Full Conclave Album and live performances, Remixes, EPs, and Art all so soon!

What has been one of your favorite moments of the past year?

Playing Daylight in the park in Bushwick at our last Public Service of the season. It might have been close to 1,000 people there all vibrating. Sometimes life reveals her beauty.

Who do you think is currently changing the world for the better?

We Are.

Check out the latest release from Toribio.