Toro y Moi unplugs to stay connected

Toro y Moi’s latest album “Outer Peace” takes an arch look at our connected lives with a narcotically funky beat. But to make the 10song set, its creator — the 32-year-old South Carolina native Chaz Bear (nee Bundick), who now calls the Bay Area home — had to disconnect. The follow-up to 2017’s “Boo Boo” was primarily made during a two-week solo retreat in a cabin near the Russian River.

Now Toro y Moi will spend the months ahead on the road promoting the record, with appearances lined up at festivals like the Buku Music and Art Project in New Orleans, All Points East in London and We Love Green in Paris (Bear appeared at Treasure Island Music Festival last year as part of the duo Laff Trax). The Chronicle spoke to him ahead of a set of headlining hometown dates.

Q: On the cover of your new single “Ordinary Pleasure” you are wearing sneakers inside sandals. Can you please explain your shoe situation?

A: I was in a thrift store with my friend, and we were just being funny and silly with Goodwill clothes. We were trying different things out and that was the bright idea that we came up with.

Q: Do you think it’s going to catch on?

A: I hope. What is cool? We don’t know anymore. I’m just trying to attract all the fashion people. Q: After years of making more atmospheric music, what drew you into taking a pop approach with “Outer Peace”?

A: I kind of feel like because I didn’t tour the last record, I was able to immediately go into this one and know which direction would really complement the last record. I knew I wanted to do something upbeat and electronic. I knew I wanted to go completely opposite, but still go into the Toro world.

Q: You have always played around with names and identities. Do you feel like Toro Y

Toro y Moi:

8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 14. $29.50-$35. the New parish, 1743 san pablo Ave., Oakland. www.apeconcerts.com; 8 p.m. tuesday-wednesday, Jan. 15-16. $29.50. the Fillmore, 1805 Geary Blvd., s.F. www.thefillmore.com Moi is becoming more of a character outside of yourself ?

A: Yeah, I’ve always seen Toro as a mirror and being these characteristics that personify me. I’ve chosen to amp it up more, too. I’m trying to navigate that the best way I can, but it’s always going to be very truthful. I’m not going to put out too much that’s not about my lifestyle. That’s why you don’t get songs about parties and drugs. I don’t do that.

Q: You locked yourself in a cabin near the Russian River to finish the album. What was that process of working alone like?

A: That was an amazing sort of work vacation. I wanted to get away from Oakland. I wanted to get away from the noise and my friend circles to focus and finish this thing up faster. Being a workaholic and being constantly in my hustle, if you put me in a room, I’m going to get it done.

Q: It’s ironic that you had to unplug to make an album about the plugged-in world we live in.

A: I had to go outside the whole thing to look at it. It’s so easy to get sucked into it, especially in the Bay Area, which is tech central. I use apps to get my groceries and weed. You go, “Man, I swear I used to leave the house more.” I don’t want to take it for granted. I definitely feel like I’m a product of this generation for sure. I can roll with it. I’m also nostalgic for living and talking to strangers. It’s almost fun again. Q: You’re on a lot of festival bills this year. Did taking some time off from touring the last album give you a chance to reboot the live show?

A: Yeah, exactly. I reorganized the band, the sounds, the set list,

the whole presentation. I repackaged it in something a little more contemporary. It’s more fun.

Q: Are you more comfortable onstage now?

A: The stage has never been too uncomfortable for me. I just don’t know what to say.

Q: Is that what’s happening? I wasn’t sure if you were just concentrating really hard. A: I do like to play up the mystique sometimes and bring the drama to the show. When you’re on the stage, it’s like theater. I can’t make any jokes, I can’t make quick comments about the city I’m in, so I don’t say anything. Q: Berkeley honored you by declaring June 27, 2017 Chaz Bundick Day. Did you get a key to the city?

A: I was caught off guard. For other artists, it was such a big deal where they perform and everything, but I just showed up and they gave me a thing. It just happened. It turns out the mayor of Berkeley at the time ( Jesse Arreguin) was a big fan of Toro. He wanted to call me out and show his support.

Aidin Vaziri is The San Francisco Chronicle’s pop music critic. Email: avaziri@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @MusicSF

Jack Bool / Carpark records Chaz Bear, who performs as Toro y Moi, will play in Oakland and San Francisco in support of his latest album, “Outer Peace.”