Toby Bittenbender’s musical journey is a testament to resilience, reinvention, and the transformative power of rock ‘n’ roll. Born with a guitar in his hands and a love for Eddie Van Halen, Toby has been chasing his musical dreams since he was 8 years old. Yet, his path to A Curious Beast was anything but straightforward.
In the heart of Dallas’ thriving music scene, Toby started playing in local bands like Jibe, where he formed lasting bonds with some of the city’s best musicians. The highs of creating a chart-topping hit like Yesterday’s Gone and playing shows with iconic bands like Our Lady Peace, Hellyeah, and Megadeth were tempered by the lows of the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle. The same drive that fueled his creative fire also led him into destructive habits—alcohol, drugs, and the tumult of the road.
Yet, as Toby explains, it was his mother, a classical guitarist, who planted the first seed of his musical career. At 10 years old, Toby became obsessed with Eddie Van Halen. His mom not only encouraged him to learn the guitar but learned a few rock riffs herself to teach him. This early bond with his mother would come full circle later, with Toby grappling with loss and ultimately rediscovering his passion for music.
In 2013, Toby’s life hit a pivotal point: his mother passed away from Parkinson’s disease, and he found himself sinking deeper into addiction. It wasn’t until he lost a close friend in 2019 that Toby hit rock bottom and made the life-changing decision to quit drinking for good. Five years sober and clear-headed, Toby reconnected with his musical roots, realizing that life is too short to let time slip by. He knew it was time to create again.
And so, A Curious Beast was born.
Formed in early 2024, A Curious Beast is more than just a recording project—it’s a lifeline for Toby and his collaborators, including longtime friend and bassist Sean Robinson (also a founding member of Jibe). “This project is about redemption,” Toby says, “and it’s not just about writing songs. It’s about reconnecting with the music that once saved me.”
The band’s unique sound is a testament to their chemistry. With Ross Rubio—an incredible drummer and producer—and Vonti, a versatile vocalist who has mastered seven instruments, A Curious Beast is poised to break new ground in the rock scene. The group’s focus is on creating full albums—an art form that Toby believes is dying in today’s culture of instant, disposable singles. Toby and Sean have made it a mission to encourage listeners to pick any favorite artist, buy or download the entire album, then listen from start to finish, in order, reading the lyrics, checking out the artwork, etc, thus consuming the entire album the the way the artist intended. “People don’t listen to full albums anymore,” he laments. “It’s all about the next quick fix, the next hit. We want to bring back the beauty of an album, where every track has a purpose.”
For Toby, the power of music has always been in its ability to transcend time and space. The gift of music came to him naturally, and his intuitive approach to songwriting—what he describes as tapping into the “ether”—has always been his strength. Toby’s process is simple: he doesn’t force it. “It just comes to me. And when it does, I’m thankful.”
From the chaotic days with Jibe to the cathartic moments spent writing and recording in his Dallas home studio, Toby’s career has been defined by constant evolution. But it’s his return to the roots of rock music—an art form he loves and respects—that is giving him new purpose.
Despite the challenges, Toby’s perseverance has paid off. With A Curious Beast’s debut project in the works, there’s no telling where the music will take them. Whether it’s playing live shows or recording more albums, the future is wide open. But one thing is clear: Toby’s love for music, and his commitment to creating art that lasts, will remain at the core of everything he does.
In the coming years, Toby and A Curious Beast are on a mission to reclaim the essence of rock music. They’re not just interested in making music—they’re interested in changing the way music is consumed. “It’s about listening,” Toby says. “Really listening to an album, not just scrolling through tracks and picking out your favorite ones. That’s what we’re trying to bring back.”
As A Curious Beast continues to write, record, and share their music, they invite their growing fanbase to join them on this journey of rediscovery. Toby’s story—of overcoming addiction, of reconnecting with the very thing that saved him—is an inspiring one, reminding us all of the power of music to heal, inspire, and transform.
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