toodar was the childhood nick-name of song writer Tom Grundy, ever absent minded, the nick name is short for too-darn-lazy. It is now the name of the east London four-piece led by Tom who are releasing their second single, ‘Ten Paces’.
In the summer, toodar released their debut single, ‘Toy’, with a quirky video filmed entirely using a toy railway and mobile phone set up around the band’s drum kit. The song and video propelled the band to receive airplay from BBC 1Xtra, Xfm (John Kennedy) and BBC 6music (Tom Robinson and Lauren Laverne).
They have upped the stakes with their second single, ‘Ten Paces’, taking over a Brick Lane warehouse to create a video of an opulent dinner degenerating into a frenzied food fight. The band take the role of waiters serving a feast to four siren-like guests. The actresses were fitted into hand-made Grecian dresses before covering each other in food, destroying the clothes and the set in a dance macabre. The Ten Paces video was produced by band member Isabel, who also engineers and co-produces toodar’s records with Tom.
The chemistry between Isabel and Tom in the studio was the birth of toodar and on stage it provides the focus in front of toodar’s rhythm section. The pair produce other bands and remixes together. toodar are currently in the studio recording ‘Bluebird’, an EP of new songs. This will be released early in 2012 and will accompany a UK Tour.
The new single is due out on December 5th and features remixes by NME Floor Filler of the Year and BBC 1 Extra DJ, True Tiger. The remix has already received airplay from MistaJam on BBC 1Xtra. It is taken from Red EP, released on Liverpool’s Rash Records.
BBC Introducing and Music Week have expressed high expectations for toodar’s future who are Virgin Red Room’s 2011 ones to watch.
toodar perform live as residents of Favela London, also home to Guy Chamber’s Orgasmatron. The band can also be found performing in unexpected locations, most recently filming on an east-London train as part of Soundtracks Festival.
Wednesday 9 November – London, Old Street – Favela Chic 9pm
Thursday 24 November – London, Kensington High Street – AAA 8:30pm (Video & Single Launch)
