I am sitting here with an incredible talent, Mr. Todd Carey. Todd and I have been friends for quite some time and I have seen him perform on numerous stages and both full band and solo. Todd brings a smiling face, an incredible voice, mind blowing lyrics, and a way with a guitar that is hard to find in the industry these days. He is fun. His music is fun. Todd just makes music what it was meant to be, enjoyable. Todd, it is my pleasure to be with you here today.
So tell me Todd, you have been on the road pretty much all year. Who are some of the guys that you have toured with this year?
I’ve really enjoyed the tours with Jason Reeves and Brendan James and the shows with Keaton Simons and Curtis Peoples. They are all extremely good company.
You and Curtis Peoples have done quite a few shows together. How did you two start playing with each other?
One of my best friends was an engineer in LA. When I started working on my last record with producer Marshall Altman, I brought him in. Subsequently he introduced my to Curtis, as Marshall was recording his album. I’m thankful for that because Curtis is one of the nicest people I know!
Where are you originally from?
I am from Chicago.
What did you have for breakfast this morning?
(Laughs) I haven’t eaten yet!
If you could share the stage with one artist who would it be?
Dave Matthews for sure.
You are on a plane traveling to your next gig on the west coast. Your plane crashes but you land on a deserted island. You were only able to salvage three things. What are they?
A guitar, obviously, and anything to write with (notebook). And finally, my cell phone! With that I could get the hell out of there and get back to playing music.
If you could meet one person, alive or dead, who would it be?
Paul McCarteny.
What was your motivation for ‘Ain’t Got Love’? (My favorite song from you by the way.)
I was living the 20 something lifestyle in Chicago. I was really happy and partying a lot. Thinking about all the things I had, but then thinking about the one crucial thing everybody needs. And that is the hardest thing of all to come by.
What is the biggest crowd that you have ever played for?
I would say 2,000.
Have you written anything for someone beside yourself?
A few things but I always end up singing them myself. I plan on writing with other people more.
If you could only sing one song for the rest of your career what would it be?
Good question. “Watching Waiting” still feels new to me every night I play it.
What is your favorite venue to play?
Schuba’s in Chicago.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you on stage?
I played a whole show with my fly wide open. It was really obvious and NOBODY told me. Thanks! There were all these pictures, and luckily it was pre Facebook days.
Tell me a little bit about the Whitefish Bay Sessions EP.
They are the raw acoustic versions of the songs from “Watching Waiting”. That particular track was recorded about 30 minutes after I wrote it. I spent a week in a cabin in the north woods of Wisconsin laying those songs down before I went into the studio. I just did it for me, never thinking I would release them. It was a really amazing time for me.
You have an incredible stage presence. Do you feed off the crowd or are you just always that happy?
I feed of the crowd. People who come to a lot of shows can probably tell the degrees of enjoyment I get from night to night. The audience is everything.
What would you be doing if you were not singing?
I’m really into producing. I’ll be doing more of that. I just love the process of taking a song from the air and making it come alive.
Who are you biggest musical influences?
The Beatles, Paul Simon, The Grateful Dead, and Dave Matthews.
If you were told you only have a week to live how would you spend it?
I’d be a combination time spent with my loved ones. Rocking out on the guitar with a band, recording final songs, and making love.
What dressing goes do you put on your salads?
Blue Cheese yo.
What are you doing on a typical Friday night?
It doesn’t start ’till Saturday Morning.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Doing this but with more scope. Bigger shows, more music, and starting to produce.
What do you want to be remembered for when this is all said and done?
Great question. I just want to be someone who brought a good presence to the people I came into contact with. I feel fortunate when I meet someone who does that for me. It’s everything, the people who you interact with.
I always let the artist have the last word. Go.
You ready for Birdy’s on 10/4?
