Todd Tobias | |
Background: | non_vocal_instrumentalist |
Origin: | Akron, Ohio, United States |
Occupation: | Record producer, musician |
Instrument: | drums, bass guitar, 6-string guitar, keys, samples |
Years Active: | 2001–present |
Label: | Hidden Shoal Recordings, Tiny Room Records |
Associated Acts: | Circus Devils Robert Pollard Guided by Voices Moonchy & Tobias Clouds Forming Crowns The World Of Dust Psycho and the Birds Brother Earth |
Website: | Todd Tobias website |
Todd Tobias (born 1967) is an American multi-instrumentalist and record producer, best known for his work with Robert Pollard and his band Guided by Voices. Other projects include Circus Devils, Kramies, The Library Is On Fire, and musical theater composer and lyricist George Griggs.
Tobias began producing albums in 2002, first working with indie rock pioneers Guided By Voices on their album Universal Truths And Cycles.[1] One year earlier in 2001, Tobias joined Guided By Voices front man Robert Pollard and brother Tim Tobias in the psychedelic rock trio Circus Devils.
In 2012, Tobias began recording solo albums of instrumental, atmospheric mood music ranging in style from ambient to post-rock. Todd's debut album Medicine Show, released on Hidden Shoal Recordings.[2] has been described as "a multi-faceted instrumental opus, evoking a shadowy steampunk dystopia."[2]
In 2013, Tobias released I RAZOR, a soundtrack album for the experimental film of the same name,[2] followed by Impossible Cities in 2014 and Tristes Tropiques in 2015.[2] Todd's EP Moorea was featured in John Diliberto's NPR program Echoes' top 25 in September, 2015.[3]
In 2018, Tobias joined with English vocalist and songwriter Chloe March on the ambient album Amialluma, on which vocalist March invented a language to accompany Tobias' music.[4] Also in 2018, the self-titled debut from the psychedelic rock duo Moonchy & Tobias was released, featuring music composed by Tobias and vocals/lyrics by Italian vocalist Pat Moonchy.[5] Other collaborations include The World Of Dust with Dutch musician Stefan Breuer, and Brother Earth with Steve Five.
In 2019, Tobias authored the book Circus Devils: See You Inside,[6] offering a personal glimpse into the band's music.
2001:
Circus Devils
2002:
Guided by Voices
Universal Truths and Cycles
Circus Devils
The harold pig memorial
Guided by Voices
The Pipe Dreams of Instant Prince Whippet
2003:
Guided by Voices
2004:
Guided by Voices
Half Smiles of the Decomposed
Robert Pollard
Fiction Man
Clouds Forming Crowns
All the Pharmacies
Circus Devils
2005:
The Celebrity Pilots
Beneath the Pavement, a Beach!
Clouds Forming Crowns
self-titled
Circus Devils
FIVE
The Moping Swans: Lightning Head to Coffee Pot
2006:
Robert Pollard
From a Compound Eye
Robert Pollard
Normal Happiness
Brian Lisik: Happiness is Boring
Clouds Forming Crowns
Race to the Blackout
Psycho and the Birds: All that is Holy
Psycho and the Birds: Check your Zoo EP
2007:
Circus Devils: Sgt. Disco
Robert Pollard
Standard Gargoyle Decisions
Robert Pollard: Coast to Coast Carpet of Love
Robert Pollard: Silverfish Trivia
Psycho and the Birds: We've Moved
The Celebrity Pilots
Spooky Action
The Library is on Fire
Cassette
George Griggs
Transmitter Man[8]
Coffinberry
God Dam Dogs
Humphry Clinker: What’s the Story With the Knife?
The Sorrys: The Last Clear Thought Before You Fall Backwards
2008:
Robert Pollard
Robert Pollard Is Off to Business
Circus Devils
ATAXIA
Slark Martyr: Cave in the A-Frame
Kramies
Golden Like a New Thing
The Softrocks: Summer Apocalypse
The Frozen Hellsicles: Oh No Wait a Minute...
Humphry Clinker: Among Cutting Threads EP
Slark Martyr: Imagination and a Pile of Dirt
2009:
Robert Pollard
The Crawling Distance
Robert Pollard
Gringo
The Sleeptalkers: Back to Earth
Kramies
Castle of Ghosts
The No Real Need
Thistles Where We Slept
Ceiling Star
New Advances in the Field of Obsolescence
2010:
Robert Pollard
Moses on a Snail
Robert Pollard
We All Got Out of the Army
Circus Devils
Mother Skinny
The Celebrity Pilots
Hawks of the Lesser Antilles
The Library is on Fire
Magic Bumrush Heartz
Brother Earth
Pajama Party
Clouds Forming Crowns
Ouija Board Taxman
Hospital garden: Hospital garden
2011:
Robert Pollard
Lord of the Birdcage
Robert Pollard
Space City Kicks
Circus Devils
Capsized!
Clouds Forming Crowns
Allowing Thunderhead
The Library is on Fire
Works On Paper
The Flower Machine
Lavender Lane
2012:
Robert Pollard
Jack Sells The Cow
Robert Pollard
Mouseman Cloud
Guided by Voices
The Bears for Lunch
Guided by Voices
Class Clown Spots a UFO
Kramies
The European
The No Real Need
Nonlocal Motives
Brother Earth
Brother Earth III
Scarcity Of Tanks: Ohio Captives
Johnny Render: Rendervoux
2013:
Robert Pollard
Blazing Gentlemen
Robert Pollard: Honey Locust Honky Tonk
Kramies
The Wooden Heart
Circus Devils
When Machines Attack
Circus Devils
My Mind Has Seen the White Trick
King Pedestrian
King Pedestrian
2014:
Circus Devils
"Escape"
Brother Earth
"Positive Haywires"
2015:
Robert Pollard
Faulty Superheroes
Circus Devils
Stomping Grounds
The World Of Dust
Womb Realm
The Flower Machine
Tangerines and Opium Trees
2017:
Circus Devils
Laughs Last
2018:
Moonchy & Tobias
self-titled
2019:
The World Of Dust
Samsara
Moonchy & Tobias
2020:
Moonchy & Tobias
2021:
The World Of Dust
True Sound
Moonchy & Tobias
2022:
Moonchy & Tobias
2023:
Circus Devils
Squeeze the Needle
Moonchy & Tobias