Due to a genetic eye disorder that is slowly causing blindness, Todd Michael Smith, a self-taught musician, hung up his car keys in the late 1990’s and moved from Vermont to Boston’s Fenway area, fatefully just a stone’s throw from the Berklee College of Music.
Having already completed one college degree, Todd took the opportunity and plunged headfirst into a double major at the school, primarily concentrating on learning modern production and arranging skills. Upon graduating, he began the real work of honing his production and writing craft, hour by hour, day by day, week after week. Gigs included performing and acting as musical director for a 10-piece rock ‘n soul review, and guitarist and arranger for local folk-rock artist Grace Morrison.
Later, he would join noted hard rock outfit Starr Faithfullon guitar, keys, and backing vox, and performed with the band for about a year. He also subbed on occasion for the well-regarded Allmans tribute band, The Peacheaters, essentially filling the “Duane” role.
In 2009, his Irish instrumental “Cliffs of Aran” got a write-up in Guitar Player Magazine. Thousands of hours of working with digital audio led him to work for the recording studio at the world-renowned Perkins School for the Blind, creating audio books for the visually impaired community. By the time he left Perkins, he was managing the department.
In 2014, Todd joined the classic rock-inspired Rolling Nectar on bass. He also co-wrote many of RN’s songs during his tenure, which ended in 2017. That same year saw him build a vintage rhythm and blues group, Sugar & The Essential Spice, for whom he supplies guitar and vocals. He is now producing – and performing all instruments on – a new batch of original material. Todd’s gone back to basics with straight-forward, bluesy, hooky rock ‘n roll inspired by the likes of Robin Trower, Bad Company, Eric Clapton, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and early Fleetwood Mac.
In this interview spotlight, I chat with Todd about this music, technology, challenges and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Where are you from and what style of music do you create?
I’m originally from Vermont, but now reside in Waltham, Massachusetts – about 15 minutes outside of Boston. I create straight-up, bluesy classic rock influenced by Robin Trower, Eric Clapton, Freddie King, Led Zeppelin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bad Company, Fleetwood Mac, early ZZ Top, and a host of others.
What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to keep going?
I taught myself guitar and piano as a teenager and started writing music in high school. Unfortunately, I had a lot of raw talent but limited professional music industry sensibilities. That led to meandering life choices until I attended Berklee College of Music at age 30 (my second degree). I’ve had a lot of roadblocks thrown in my way, many self-inflicted, as well as slowly deteriorating eyesight from a genetic disorder that’s led to legal blindness. But when you do something better than most people, why would you do anything else?
How is this new release different than previous ones? Were you trying to accomplish anything specific?
Most certainly. I’ve always listened to a very eclectic mix of musical styles. For many years, I tried in vain to incorporate many of these styles into the music I wrote, in the hopes of creating more original music. I think I succeeded at originality but failed at writing good songs. I finally got wise to what I’ve always done best – bluesy classic rock. I’m now trying to write fairly simple songs laden with hooks, and giving myself ample opportunity to shred the guitar. I am writing some songs on piano as well – those are where the Fleetwood Mac, Traffic, Bad Company, Dr. John, Leon Russell, Allan Toussaint, and Elton John influences seep in most.
Name one or two challenges you face as an indie musician in this oversaturated, digital music age? How has technology helped you (since we know it does help)?
I think people saying that the digital arena or the current music industry is a barrier or a challenge is a cop out. If your music is good enough, it will be heard, and you’ll have success if you don’t find a way to fuck it up. When has there ever been a time when independent musicians had the ability to upload a song that potentially billions of people could listen to? Seems like a good situation to me. It’s also easy to get your music licensed – again, if it’s good enough.
What was the last song you listened to?
Okay. This is going to show that eclecticism I mentioned earlier. I woke up this morning and told Alexa to play “In a Lifetime,” by Clannad and Bono. I used to hear it on CHOM FM out of Montreal when I was growing up in Vermont. CHOM was the best damn radio station that ever existed and I’m so lucky to have grown up listening to it. This song has one of the more amazing performances ever recorded by Bono. Ethereal new-agey Irish goodness.
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?
Well, vinyl certainly sounds the best. CDs are pretty much useless now. MP3s are just super convenient and a necessity.
How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?
I mostly use Amazon Music through my Echo. It’s just convenient. I do use Pandora through it as well. I’m not a big “playlister,” so Spotify’s fine, but I don’t use it much. I like discovering new music by asking Alexa or Pandora to, “Play music like…” YouTube caught on to that idea and I’ve discovered some cool things on there as well that’s just been spat out at me because I asked for something else.
Where is the best place to connect with you online and discover more music?
www.Facebook.com/ToddMichaelSmithMusic
Anything else before we sign off?
I’ll be releasing a few more songs over the coming months and will begin performing as The Todd Michael Smith Band in July with some great Boston area pros. You can also catch me performing with a vintage rockin’ soul and rhythm & blues outfit called Sugar & the Essential Spice on guitar and vocals. Thank you for helping me share my music!
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