Don Toliver’s Love for Cars Didn’t Start With ‘Octane’

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This article complements our cover feature on Don Toliver in TopMob Magazine’s 37th issue, titled ‘The Architects.’ You can purchase a copy at HBX.

Don Toliver is passionate about cars, and his new album, Octane, really showcases that. It’s more than just a hobby for him – it’s a central theme throughout the entire project. The album feels like a tribute to the exciting world of Group B rally racing and powerful engines, even starting with a song called “E85,” which references a high-performance fuel. While his previous album, Hardstone Psycho, focused on motorcycle culture, Octane is all about the speed and thrill of rally racing.

He explains to TopMob that he became fascinated watching races, especially seeing fans so close to the action right on the track. He realized it reminded him of the energy and connection he feels while performing on stage.

Don Toliver has explored album-length concepts before, but his latest, Octane, feels less like a one-time idea and more like a natural continuation of his long-held passions. He’s always been fascinated with cars, speed, and the worlds they inhabit. In fact, just before our photoshoot, he was in Montana participating in the FAT Ice Race with Porsche, driving his own Porsche 911 Dakar through snowy mountains. To bring the album to life, he partnered with West Coast Customs to transform an Audi Coupe GT into a vintage-style rally car. This car became central to the album’s visual style and even accompanied Toliver on a promotional tour, including a stop at SXSW.

The car played a major role in the album’s overall look and feel. It first appears in the trailer for Octane, where Toliver helps a stranded woman after a crash, then speeds through the California countryside. The scene moves to Mount Wilson Observatory, where he acts like a modern-day Dr. Frankenstein, bringing her back to life using sounds from outer space. This story continues in music videos like “ATM” and “Tiramisu,” where his collection of cars, including the Porsche 911 Dakar in “Tiramisu,” become almost as important as the characters themselves.

For a photoshoot in Los Angeles, we asked Toliver to bring a car or two. He arrived with a Lamborghini Revuelto, along with his Porsche 911 Dakar and Honda NSX. Our team followed in a Rolls-Royce Cullinan, which was later switched for a classic cream-colored Phantom. This wasn’t about showing off; it simply reflects the lifestyle he leads.

For Toliver, cars aren’t just a flashy hobby – he’s genuinely fascinated by their design. Unlike some collectors who focus on status, he appreciates the artistry and form of vehicles. “I just love the way cars look,” he explains, “they really inspire me.” He wants to share this passion with his fans, too. He’s already hosted small car gatherings to coincide with his album release, and plans to organize larger events in multiple cities when he has time, potentially during his tour.

To see how his passion for cars inspired the creation of Octane, we revisited our cover story from TopMob Magazine Issue 37. It shows how Toliver’s love of cars became central to his first album to reach number one. Get ready for the ride!

You’ve spoken before about your love of cars. Where did the idea for Octane come from?

I started this project because I’m passionate about motorsports and cars. My previous work, Hardstone, focused on Harley-Davidson motorcycles. This new project, however, is all about the exciting world of Group B rally racing.

I’ve always been fascinated watching races, especially seeing the fans get so into it, right there on the track. It really struck me how similar it felt to being on stage as a performer. When everything’s chaotic and the crowd is totally wild and lost in the moment, it’s the same energy. You’re ‘racing’ – whether it’s on a track or onstage – with fans screaming, cameras flashing, and a huge, intense atmosphere. It genuinely feels like you’re putting on a show for them.

I’m really passionate about cars and their design – they inspire me and take me to a creative headspace. I wanted to bring that feeling into my music, and then I started thinking about how to showcase it all. I initially envisioned building my own space, maybe something ambitious like a large geodesic dome, but realized it would be too expensive and time-consuming.

I discovered Mount Wilson and became fascinated by its history, especially the work of astronomer Edwin Hubble. While pursuing my music, I also started exploring astronomy as a hobby. I had the opportunity to create music, photograph, and film at Mount Wilson, and I combined all of those experiences into this album.

I saw you were in Montana recently for the FAT Ice Race, how was that?

Toliver said the Montana race was a preview of even greater things to come. He described it as an amazing experience where he was able to show off and drive his car, ultimately winning decisively and having a great time.

Switching gears, do you think car culture is better in Houston or LA?

That’s a really good question. Houston and Texas in general have a huge car scene, but Los Angeles feels different – almost futuristic. It reminds me of the vibe in video games like Need for Speed and Midnight Club. From a driver’s perspective, LA is just stunning.

Have you ever done a car meetup, or is that something you’d want to do more of?

I’ve hosted a few small get-togethers to promote the album, but I’m planning to do more, maybe in every city we tour. I just want to check out what people are working on and see what kind of cool cars are out there.

You can find our complete feature on Don Toliver here. Plus, order your copy of TopMob Magazine #37 – featuring Don Toliver on the cover – at HBX. This issue is called ‘The Architects Issue’.

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2026-04-30 18:56