Tokorats

Jonti's lush, dreamy fusion of psychedelic pop and left-field hip-hop has proven to be a natural fit for the revered Los Angeles label Stones Throw Records. His songs typically feature his pillow-soft vocals multi-tracked into a choir, along with rich strings, vintage synthesizers, trippy beats, and mellow acoustic guitars, among many other elegantly layered sounds. Jonti Danilewitz was born in Johannesburg, South Africa but began making music after moving to Sydney, Australia. He made hip-hop beats under the name Danimals, played in a band called Sherlock's Daughter, and worked with super-producer Mark Ronson on music for an ad campaign before signing to Stones Throw, his favorite label and home to like-minded artists such as Koushik and the Stepkids. Debut single "Firework Spraying Moon" and full-length Twirligig both appeared in 2011, with companion LP Sine & Moon following in 2012. Jonti moved to Los Angeles, New York, and eventually back to Sydney, and along the way he toured the world opening for Gotye and collaborated with artists such as BadBadNotGood, King Krule, and Earl Sweatshirt. He also became a touring member of the Avalanches and contributed to their comeback album, Wildflower. Jonti's second proper full-length, Tokorats, appeared in 2017, and featured collaborations with former Odd Future MC Hodgy and Australia-based poet/songwriter Sampa the Great. ~ Paul Simpson