Some musicians have to coax their audience to let loose and engage with their songs.
But not Alex Toth.
One of the two founding brains behind the wizardly indie pop project Rubblebucket, Alex has been packing venues and making people dance for nearly two decades. But out on their own, Alex records and performs as Tōth.
Three full-length albums deep, Alex is emitting a wholly unique sound and luring in fans with writing so personal that it goes beyond daring to become emotional solicitation, imploring the listener to get involved, to become a part of each song.
This phenomenon was on display the night of Oct. 7 in the nation’s capital, as Tōth filled DC9 and delighted those in the room with a fantastic set, in the process proving themself to be a world-class performer.
Listen to the latest full-length studio album from Tōth, And The Voice Said:
Currently out on a tour named after their newest record, And The Voice Said, Tōth served up mind-blowing versions of some of the best tracks from it, including “Thoughts Are Like Clouds” to start the night and “Not Broken,” an invincible and encouraging march that should be included on any best-of-2026 lists.
A big hit in the DMV in the same spirit as Rubblebucket, Tōth has drawn an enthusiastic crowd for past appearances, and last Wednesday night was no different. Bob Boilen, the local media legend and co-founder of NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts series, was in attendance like he has been for previous Tōth visits, as were numerous other serious fans who sported band shirts, belted out lyrics word for word and moved their bodies the entire time.
Alex was joined by Allegra Heart on bass and William Alexander on drums, and they watched the bandleader shake and swing all over the stage. The wildly skilled multi-instrumentalist played a weathered electric guitar, blew the trumpet and shimmied with such funky abandon that it could only draw comparisons to Talking Heads leader David Byrne, who grew up outside of Baltimore and as a young adult spent time in the Charm City.
Surely Byrne could have appreciated the spectacle that unfolded over the course of Tōth’s set last week, as the bandleader eventually invited audience members — one might have been an old friend — on stage to help rechoreograph the dance moves to the music video for “Turnaround (Cocaine Song),” a humorous recounting of a crazy story, one that Alex made clear occurred before they stopped drinking some 13 years ago.
Watch the official music video for Tōth’s fantastic tune “Not Broken” via the artist’s YouTube channel:
Toth’s voice is alluring, and it was heard throughout the set, but Heart’s rang out in co-harmony in the eye-watering “Triangle People.” Eventually, the tour’s merch manager, a woman known simply as “Frisbee,” joined Alex and crew on stage, as did the night’s opening act, Anna Moss.
Toth is based in Brooklyn and has a wide network thanks to the success of Rubblebucket, a mission they launched in 2007 with Annakalmia Traver, who was for years was Alex’s romantic partner. They both studied jazz at the University of Vermont and the form’s influence on Alex can be heard loud and clear on tracks like “Touching,” the set’s closer last Wednesday.
Alex has nothing to hide and leaves no feeling behind in the music they write. At DC9, they undoubtedly fulfilled those on hand, performing these uncommon songs with contagious passion and a genuine smile.
Setlist
Thoughts Are Like Clouds
Song To Make You Fall In Love With Me
Unidentified
No Reason
Unidentified
Turnaround (Cocaine Song)
Spiraling
Ice Cream
Goo
Triangle People
Easy
Not Broken
Touching
Encore
Copilot
Juliette
Below are digital images of Tōth along with the night’s opening act, Anna Moss, performing at DC9 in Washington DC the night of Oct. 7, 2026. All photos copyright and courtesy of Casey Ryan Vock.
Tōth 
Anna Moss
