MTV gave us so much back in the day, but one of their best was ‘Making the Video.’ I think music-obsessed individuals were drawn to the process of how their favorite clips came to be and I wish that was still a show airing somewhere in the streaming realm because I’d love to see the making of the latest from TOIGO. Two singles came together in a two-part video. Unusual for sure, but so cool that we just had to talk about not only that but TOIGO’s internal dilemma with scoring his favorite movies, therapeutic cities, and more in this back and forth exchange.

Kendra: You dropped a video that encapsulated two singles with two parts of a story. Not very common. Have you always been the type to stand apart from the crowd?

TOIGO: I’d like to think that. You know that scene in ‘Dead Poets Society’ where everyone is doing a funny walk but the character Charlie isn’t in an act of anti-conformity? I’d like to think I’m that guy. Though I’m probably the one making the funny walk and everyone else is walking normally. Sometimes the ones who are different get left out in the cold though. I walk through that cold and find my own shelter. My own warmth. I’d rather be known for doing something different. At least aspire to something different.

Kendra: Which, let’s talk more about that two-part video that features “We’ve Got Tonight To Leave Me Broken” and “Another Shade of Blue.” It’s a very cinematic piece that kicks off with a sort of Matrix vibe with the choice between a red and blue pill. Did you grow up indulging in movies not only visually but also musically?

TOIGO: I wanted to make movies when I was younger. Made some in high school. They weren’t very good. A ton of fun to make though. Great memories.

We made a movie based on something that I’m not surprised HASN’T been made into a Hollywood movie. I can’t reveal it here. It’s a great idea though. I do like to think I have some cool music videos in mind for the future. Though I don’t think technology has reached the ability to make those videos.

The “Broken/Blue” video was a collective effort for sure. “We’re not going to space, Zach”. I need that kinda thing said to me every now and then. One day though. Was great to collaborate with some great people to make the “Broken/Blue” video though.

We had the Vegas idea for “Broken,” but we still were trying to figure out how to approach “Blue” properly. So we watched David Lynch’s “Blue Velvet.” Super intense film. Very surreal. Difficult to recommend due to some of the content but I highly recommend it. We aimed to add some of those surreal dreamlike visions that Lynch often includes in his works. More videos to come through. Another video is in the works right now.

Kendra: If so, what movie scores are some of your favorites, and is there any one movie you wish you could go back and do the music for?

TOIGO: That’s a difficult question because then those films wouldn’t have my favourite scores! Would I secretly know the score and I just did something else? Hey ‘Star Wars,’ guess what? I know your score but I’m gonna keep it a secret and do my own thing with the music. Yikes. Similar to wanting to be a Beatle.

Why carry that weight of having to write those songs or licks? I’d wanna be Ringo. Could I have accomplished what he did on the drums? No. Come on though? To drum for The Beatles? I’d also settle for being the fifth Beatle too if that’s allowed. The Ed O’Brian guy of the group. All of a sudden The Beatles have awesome guitar pedal sounds in them. All being said.

I suppose it’d be cool to be the flute player on all of ‘The Lord of the Rings’ music. The cello player in the ‘Star Wars’ scores. That super falsetto guy on all of the Morricone scores. Big fan of when a movie score complements the film.

Kendra: Back to the two songs. Did you write them back to back for the purpose of releasing them together?

TOIGO: Not really. I started developing “Blue” at the end of September 2020. I actually had a demo of “Blue” that sorta sounded like if Lana Del Rey sang Springsteen’s “Streets of Philadelphia.” I think. Maybe it’ll be on the 50th-anniversary edition of the EP. You can judge then.

Howes and I developed “Broken” in January 2021. Almost a year ago. Then we reimagined “Blue.” Everyone felt good about those songs so we discussed making a video for each and then I think the conversation became about making one for both.

Kendra: You also have been working on your EP, ‘I Feel This Love Turn Cold.’ Now, if you had to compare the overall vibe of the record to a particular spot in Vancouver, which spot would that be and why?

TOIGO: I guess my apartment? The songs were all written there. Even Howes came over and we wrote “Broken” together. I did work on developing them more in Kelowna, BC. I like to drive up there to work on the songs I’ve written. Clears my mind in a way. I stayed at an Airbnb in Kelowna when I was there working on some of the songs from the EP.

Heard last month a couple of people were shot at that place. Also stayed at a place that I didn’t realize had a man living in the basement until I got there. Then when I checked out I was notified that no man lives in the basement. If no one was living in that basement…who was that man? I did not enjoy his lasagna. And he was not good at Mario Kart. Beautiful city though. I try to go there as much as possible. It’s therapeutic.

Kendra: Since it’s January, I’m asking everyone…not for a lengthy resolution, but for a resolution, a goal they have for this month. What’s yours?

TOIGO: It’s to be healthier. Music is cool and all but you gotta be healthy. Easier said than done. I’m working on it though. I just turned 30 and that seems pretty daunting. I’d also like to be more cultured. I feel like that’s on my list every year. I swear I’ll watch ‘Seven Samurai’ this year. I’m sure I’ll find it excellent and be annoyed when I can’t get people to watch it.

Kendra: With the new EP in the works and this amazing video moment out now, what can fans – both new and old – expect from you as we break in the early months of 2022?

TOIGO: The EP should be officially out in these first months. I think. I hope! A few more things to be done before we do that. Hopefully, I can get down to LA to film another music video. Planning to do a showcase while I’m down there too. Fingers crossed that’s all able to happen at a time like this. I’ve also been in the studio the first week of January planning the next steps. I will be more into the social media stuff this year too. That’s a good resolution. Lots of plans there. Follow @therealtoigo