A Lifelong Obsession with Strings and Sound
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.
The Rise: Jibe, Highs, and Hard Lessons
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. Creating a chart-topping hit like Yesterday’s Gone and sharing stages with legends like Our Lady Peace, Hellyeah, and Megadeth were major highs. But with those highs came the lows of the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle—alcohol, drugs, and burnout.
A Mother’s Influence and a Full-Circle Moment
Despite the chaos, it was Toby’s mother—a classical guitarist—who first set him on this path. At just 10 years old, she nurtured his obsession with Eddie Van Halen, even learning rock riffs herself just to teach him. That early bond with music, forged between mother and son, would resurface decades later—after heartbreaking loss.
Rock Bottom and the Road to Recovery
In 2013, Toby’s world cracked wide open with the death of his mother due to Parkinson’s disease. Things only got darker from there. By 2019, after losing a close friend and grappling with his own addiction, Toby hit rock bottom. But that pain sparked a turning point: he chose sobriety. Five years clean, he rediscovered the one thing that had always grounded him—music.
The Birth of A Curious Beast
Formed in early 2024, A Curious Beast is more than just a new musical project. It’s a full-circle moment, a lifeline, and a form of healing. Reuniting with longtime friend and Jibe bassist Sean Robinson, Toby found his creative spark again. “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.”
Meet the Band: Crafting Chemistry and Sound
With Ross Rubio on drums and production, and Vonti—a multi-instrumentalist and versatile vocalist—on board, A Curious Beast brings together talent with heart. The band doesn’t just chase hits; they chase meaning. Together, they’re not interested in fleeting singles. They’re building albums. Real, cohesive, start-to-finish albums that demand your attention.
Reviving the Art of the Album
Toby and Sean are on a mission: to reignite love for the full album experience. “People don’t listen to full albums anymore,” Toby says. “It’s all about the next quick fix. We want to bring back the beauty of an album, where every track has a purpose.”
Their message to fans is simple: find an artist you love, buy or download the full album, read the lyrics, study the artwork—consume it the way the artist intended.
Tapping Into the Ether: Toby’s Creative Process
Toby’s approach to songwriting is organic and intuitive. He doesn’t force it. He doesn’t overthink it. “It just comes to me,” he says. “And when it does, I’m thankful.” This instinctual style has helped shape everything from his days in Jibe to the powerful new work he’s doing with A Curious Beast.
A Future Fueled by Purpose and Passion
The journey hasn’t been easy—but it’s been worth it. With A Curious Beast’s debut project in the works, Toby is doing what he loves, with people he trusts, and for reasons that run deep. Whether playing live, recording in his Dallas home studio, or simply sharing stories with fans, one thing is certain: music is, and always has been, Toby’s true north.
The Mission: Music That Lasts
Toby and his bandmates aren’t just making music—they’re reshaping how people listen to it. In a world of short attention spans, A Curious Beast is offering something timeless: rock with soul, stories with weight, and albums with heart.
“It’s about listening,” Toby says. “Really listening to an album—not just scrolling through tracks. That’s what we’re trying to bring back.”
Join the Journey
As A Curious Beast continues to evolve, record, and perform, Toby’s story stands as proof that no matter how far off track life may take you, there’s always a way back—especially if you follow the music.
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