Toto news

This press release arrived today. For a good interview with the band from 2014, scroll to the end... 

Frontiers Music has announced a March 20 release date for Toto XIV in Europe, with The UK and Oceania on March 23 and North America on March 24.

The album will hit retail globally, with specific dates for territories in Asia, South America and others to follow. Configurations include CD, with a deluxe edition available featuring a "making of" documentary on DVD, expanded booklet that includes an in depth story and interview about the new album alongside exclusive pictures in ecol-book packaging. 

Additionally, Toto XIV will be available as a 2LP vinyl set, and a Super Deluxe limited edition which includes the Deluxe CD/DVD edition, 2LP vinyl, an exclusive poster, t-shirt (large size only), and lithograph. The album will be available via all digital retailers. A pre-order has gone live via Amazon for the LP (http://geni.us/TotoXIVLPAmz), CD (http://geni.us/TotoXIVRegAmz) and Deluxe Edition (http://geni.us/TotoXIVDlxAmz).

This is the band’s first album of new material since 2006’s Falling In Between. However, the band personally considers the new album to be the true follow-up to Toto IV, which made the band global superstars.

Keyboardist Steve Porcaro reveals, "This is opposite of going through the motions. We are treating this like it is Toto V, our follow-up to Toto IV. We just want to be the best version of ourselves that we can be. Be true to ourselves and make the best music we can. Entertain people which is what we were put on this Earth for." 

Other keyboardist David Paich reflects, "I think of Toto as a unit and a band that carries a responsibility when it goes out there in to the public consciousness. There is so much negativity and darkness that I think you have to be as Quincy Jones puts it, 'beams of light that blast through the darkness'."

As they began the process of a return the studio, all of the principle long-term members brought their A-game to the table. Guitarist Steve Lukather offers, "When you put us in a room, and everybody brings in their pieces, the next thing you know it all fits together. Everybody's performances are top notch. We are really bringing our best out, forcing ourselves to make personal best choices, what's best for the music. I'm really excited to hear what people think."

Singer Joseph Williams adds, "We are talking about a band where everybody is a writer, and everybody is a lead singer, and everybody is a player. All involved brought this trio to the table where it could just live on its own."

Founding bassist David Hungate returns to the fold. Drums were performed by Keith Carlock, whose commitments to Steely Dan prohibit him from participating in the 2015 World Tour. Shannon Forest will be behind the kit, who was a part of the band's 2014 North American run. Luke offers, "Shannon is a world class drummer and we are honored to have him back with us."

Porcaro offers an additional thought stating, "I think the band is hit upon a very healthy creative tension for this project. I'm very excited about it." For Williams he reflects, "Just imagine being able to stand on stage in front of enormous crowd of people, and you are playing great music with the best musicians in the world, and you look around, and they are some of your best friends in the world. It's the best feeling any person could have." For Porcaro he shares, "It is kind of hard to find words of what it means to have a smile on your face to go to work every day and we have the fans to thank for that - so thank you."

The last couple of years have included a sold out tour of Asia in April, 2014. Also that month, the 35th Anniversary Tour - Live In Poland title was released, debuting at #1 in territories across the globe. Last August and September, the band hit the road travelling across North America as co-headliners with Michael McDonald, which when it was all said and done was their most comprehensive tour on the continent in years.

Toto also continues to raise awareness for ALS, for their brother and friend, Mike Porcaro, who has been diagnosed with ALS, Lou Gehrig's Disease. The band commits energies towards fundraising for Police and Fire Departments of California and the Fallen Heroes initiative (http://www.fallenheroes.org/), and help the United Nations in their humanitarian endeavors through music.

Track listing:

1. Running Out Of Time
2. Burn
3. Holy War
4. 21st Century Blues
5. Orphan
6. Unknown Soldier (For Jeffrey)
7. The Little Things
8. Chinatown
9. All The Tears That Shine
10. Fortune
11. Great Expectations

European tour dates:

5/21 Glasgow, UK Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
5/23 Dublin, Ireland Vicar Street (SOLD OUT)
5/25 Manchester, UK 02 Apollo Manchester
5/26 London, UK Apollo Hammersmith
5/28 Paris, France Zenith
5/29 Esch Sur Alzette, Luxembourg Rockhal
5/30 Amsterdam, Netherlands Ziggo Dome
6/02 Sonderborg, Denmark Molleparkens Friluftscene
6/03 Copenhagen, Denmark Falkoner Theatre
6/04 Solvesborg, Sweden Sweden Rock Festival
6/06 Bergen, Norway Bergen Calling
6/07 Oslo, Norway Sentrum Scene (SOLD OUT)
6/10 Bremerhaven, Germany Stadthalle
6/11 Berlin, Germany Tempodrome
6/12 Leipzig, Germany Parkbuhne
6/13 Dresden, Germany Junge Garde
6/15 Cologne, Germany Tanzbrunnen
6/16 Offenbach, Germany Stadthalle
6/17 Stuttgart, Germany Freilichtbuhne Killesberg
6/18 Abenberg, Germany Burg Abenberg
6/20 Hinwil, Switzerland Rock The Ring Festival
6/21 Klam, Austria Castle Clam
6/23 Wroclaw, Poland Orbita Hol
6/24 Warsaw, Poland Torwar
6/26 Budapest, Hungary Petofi Hall
6/27 Bucharest, Romania Sala Palatului
6/28 Sofia, Bulgaria Arena Armeec
6/30 Belgrade, Serbia Kalemegdan Fortress
7/03 Milan, Italy City Sound Milan
7/05 Rome, Italy Cavea Auditorium
7/08 Munich, Germany Olympiahalle
7/13 Morzine, France Morzine Harley Days
7/15 Nimes, France Festival de Nimes
7/16 Vienne, France Theatre Antique

For further reading on the band: 
Last summer, my colleague Robert Kinsler did an interview with the band's Steve Lukather. It can be viewed here...
musicnewsnashville.com/steve-lukather-talks-toto/

totoofficial.com/