Todd Tobias

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. 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. has been described as "a multi-faceted instrumental opus, evoking a shadowy steampunk dystopia."

In 2013, Tobias released I RAZOR, a soundtrack album for the experimental film of the same name, followed by Impossible Cities in 2014 and Tristes Tropiques in 2015. Todd's EP Moorea was featured in John Diliberto's NPR program Echoes' top 25 in September, 2015.

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. 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. 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, offering a personal glimpse into the band's music.

Albums and EPs

 * Medicine Show (2012)
 * Night Above Ground (2012)
 * I Razor (2013)
 * Impossible Cities (2014)
 * Impossible Cities 2 (2014)
 * Tristes Tropiques (2015)
 * Moorea (2015)
 * Gila Man (2016)
 * Massabu Evening Entertainments (2018)
 * Amialluma (with Chloe March) (2018)

Discography for Todd Tobias as producer/ performer/ writer
2001:

Circus Devils: Ringworm Interiors

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: Earthquake Glue

2004:

Guided by Voices: Half Smiles of the Decomposed

Robert Pollard: Fiction Man

Clouds Forming Crowns: All the Pharmacies

Circus Devils: Pinball Mars

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

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: '' Elephant Jokes

Circus Devils: 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: Atmosfere

2020:

Moonchy & Tobias: III

2021:

The World Of Dust: True Sound

Moonchy & Tobias: Venus Mirror

2022:

Moonchy & Tobias: Golem

2023:

Circus Devils: Squeeze the Needle

Moonchy & Tobias: Wild Eye