A Conversation with Jeremy Todd
“Dreams are never to be limited to another person’s expectations.”
Midwest Singer/Songwriter Jeremy Todd has a story to tell and you’d be wise to listen. If you do, you’ll not only connect with the lyrical themes of personal loss and hard-earned redemption, but you’ll also find greater understanding and, even, a touch of humor. A true songwriter in the tradition of John Prine, Father John Misty, and the Avett Brothers, Todd tells stories that are so deeply personal you can’t help but find a little piece of yourself around every clever turn of phrase.
Growing up in rural Illinois among a near-endless sprawl of abandoned homes, predatory Pay-Day Advance-filled strip malls, and church marquees threatening eternal damnation, Todd found his escape early on through music. There’s a story there of Todd as an unafraid first-grader donning press-on black fingernails, a flowing robe, and a gaudy black wig to lip-synch Aerosmith at a school talent show. There’s another of a young kid desperate to make his sports-obsessed father proud, only to fail at every game he tried until, eventually, mutual embarrassment led to the merciful gift of a drum kit. As a seventh-grader, Todd would lose himself for hours, drumming along to the Foo Fighters, Green Day, and Nirvana. Todd took advantage of playing music any chance he could get. Worship bands soon gave way to punk rock bands, swapping sleepy Sunday mornings and pressed slacks for late-night, sweaty basement shows and holey jeans. A decade followed of close calls and almost-there’s, the formation of a promising new project, the desolation of another, the never-ending climb up a mountain of artistic ambition, the kind where every new peak only reveals how much further there is still to go. When faced with failure and insurmountable odds, we have precisely two options: quit or keep going. Todd chose the latter at every summit, a recurring theme in his story.
Right when he thought he may actually give up, an afternoon home with his sons led Todd to write “The Eager Movement” in 2012. Armed with a killer hook (“What’s the rush now? / Don’t get caught up now”) that could get just as easily be hummed along to in a coffee shop as it could serve as a personal mantra, “The Eager Movement” became just that, the start of a promising solo career. Still that courageous firstgrader, minus the fake nails and Steven Tyler strut, Todd was where he belonged: out from behind the drum kit and center stage once again.
In 2016, Todd hit the studio with personal hero Mike Marsh, known for his work with The Avett Brothers and Dashboard Confessional. Together they recorded “The Eager Movement” EP. Taking the title to heart, Todd hit the road, opening for Jim Avett, Amy Helm, and The Way Down Wanderers. For the next three years, life continued its predictably unpredictable game of give and take. There were packed, sold-out shows with the audience hanging on Todd’s every word. There were dank, desolate dive bars where even the regulars couldn’t be bothered to look up from their drink. There were friends and family who turned their backs. There was the birth of a daughter, the loss of a beloved grandmother, the end of a long-term relationship, the start of an all-time love, the blessing of a newborn son, the sudden, unexpected death of an estranged father. Through it all, Todd kept climbing, determined to see the view from the next peak rather than the bleak drop that loomed below.
A fateful 2019 music festival in Makanda, Illinois led Todd to meet the musicians who would become his backing band on his new self-titled album. Better known for their work in The Way Down Wanderers, John Merikoski, John Williams, and Collin Krause round out Todd’s Americana sound with help on everything from drums, bass, lead guitar, fiddle, and backing vocals.
Todd’s self-titled album was recorded over two separate sessions. The first of which occurred in August 2020 at KingSize Sound Labs in Chicago during a brief lull in the Covid-19 pandemic. The second session took place in January 2021 at Sammy Hinrichsen’s place in Peoria, IL. In addition to playing in the backing band, John Merikoski also served as co-producer for the whole thing with Matthew Pittman engineering the Chicago sessions and Sammy Hinrichsen handling the engineering duties in Peoria. Sammy also mixed the album and Phillip Shaw Boya mastered it. The end result is an album that sounds so crisp and alive that the tiny hairs on your arm tingle the moment you hit play.
You see, loss—both the grief kind and the failure kind—leaves its mark on you. Some may try to hide those scars. Todd brandishes them proudly. Whether it’s addressing personal anxieties and fear of mortality on tunes such as “It’s In the End (Thumbprints)” and “Beautiful & Strange” or facing the brutal honesty of parenting, see “The Single Fatherhood Feels of Corey Dean,” or owning up to the complicated truth of relationships (“Realistic Love Song”), Todd dives headfirst into the realities of living, the good, the bad, the hard-fought lessons of a life truly fucking lived.
Like the artists that came before him, Todd’s self-titled album is a true declaration of intent and purpose. Throughout its 10 songs, it’s obvious that Todd doesn’t hold back on anything here. If you’d seen the peaks and valleys he had, you wouldn’t either.
I’ve known Jeremy since the fall of 2004 when he recruited my good friend, and then roommate, Joshua Clifton to sing for his band. I can still remember standing at the top of the stairs the night of their first practice, hearing the chaotic opening chords of what would become the Forgetting Paris hit, “Get Ready to Live,” and immediately being both jealous and inspired. I was truly humbled when he asked me to write the artist bio (those previous 8 or so paragraphs above this one) for his website and took the opportunity to ask some questions about his wonderful new self-titled, debut album that came out last month.
Our conversation follows.
What makes a good song? Is there a such thing as a ‘perfect song’?
JT- I think for me, what makes a perfect song is a song where the writer is 100% transparent and authentic and it translates to the listener in a way that is equal in its emotion element. I think there are lots of “perfect songs,” but I also think that’s subjective to the listener.
What song of yours do you feel like comes closest to your idea of a perfect song? What’s the song of yours that says exactly what you want to say exactly how you want to say it?
JT: “It’s in the End (thumbprint),” “Long Bright Dark,” and “The Single Fatherhood Feels of Corey Dean” are all songs that felt perfect to me when I wrote them. I typically depend on approval in some form from others or if I’m going to approve the song myself it really has to be stuck in my head for days…
For example, “The Eager Movement” was one that my son had been present at the time when I was writing it and days later came back singing the chorus… I took that as a sign, it was a keeper. Had Jayden not came back to my house singing that chorus, I may not have kept that tune. But I really feel in those three I mentioned specifically, I wrote them without much changing over time and I really feel they execute the emotion and the moment in time that they were meant to capture.
What’s the best songwriting advice you’ve been given? What’s the best songwriting advice you have to give?
JT: When I recorded my EP back in 2016, Mike Marsh (The Avett Brothers/Dashboard Confessional) told me to write from a perspective and feel that is timeless… and not to write genre specific songs. Trends, come and go, genres rise and fall… but if you write something that’s timeless, it will have a huge demographic and it will stand the test of time and never fall out. That would probably be the greatest advice I’ve ever received as far as songwriting goes.
If I had to give some advice to someone, I would offer that advice coupled with, be persistent and keep writing as much as you can… everything you write isn’t going to be a home run, but practice really does make perfect. I also recommend reading Jeff Tweedy’s book How to Write One Song.
I was incredibly inspired by it! Thank you for gifting me that by the way.
That’s good advice and you’re more than welcome. I’m glad you liked it. Have you started writing any newer songs that aren’t on your album? What makes you throw away a song once you start it?
JT: I believe at the moment I have 112 voice memos of songs, ideas, phrases, chord progressions, choruses, versus, songs, etc. I’m always writing.
I think what makes me tend to throw a song out is after I hear it back and I feel like I was trying to write something that just wasn’t me or really off base with what my style is. I usually keep bits and pieces of everything though… and maybe a bridge will fit in another tune or a chorus might go with this other verse idea I had and so on. But if something is just yuck, I feel it and won’t hesitate to throw it away. Maybe it was just some therapy I needed in the moment and got it out and now I can move on from it.
Back in October, I asked you some questions about your hope for your album long before it came out, now that’s it out in the world, how do you feel about the response to it? Has it been more fulfilling or disappointing? I ask this as someone who just released a project I worked on for many years, holding it close to my chest and now that it’s out in the world, I feel pretty satisfied, for sure, but I also feel a hint of disappointment if I’m being honest.
JT: I’ve been dying to get it out… for so long!! I think all the guys who made it with me were dying to get it out as well, Haha. We started making this record in August of 2020… Honestly, I am so happy with the response. At this point we are just over a week in and every song seems to be getting quite a bit of play. I have had messages from people on at least every song for one reason or another and that’s honestly all I could ask for is that the songs resonate with people on an emotional level and it seems to be doing that so far. I feel very fulfilled that it’s out and with the response.
My only disappointment is in my own anxiety and impatience, coupled with maybe irrational and unrealistic expectations… like you release a record and you’re ready to go on tour and support The Avett Brothers… haha. But I am very happy with the response.
I hope you feel equally fulfilled and are getting a similar response with your book, I plan on finishing this week, and I am really enjoying it so far.
I appreciate that and was in no way fishing for that (okay, maybe I was a bit), but thank you. I’m so glad that you’ve been getting that response so far and I hope it continues. I definitely know what you mean with anxiety, unrealistic expectations, impatience, and all that too. That’s just part of the whole process for me. Sometimes the unrealistic expectations are a motivator. Like I know they won’t come true, but it’s fun to dream and at least try. Speaking of trying, I know a lot of musicians, but I don’t think I know any that work as hard as you do. What pushes you to work so hard?
JT: Wow…first of all, thank you. I think what pushes me is that I can’t take no for an answer. I’ve been told so many times to hang it up, that my time has passed, I have kids, responsibilities, etc… that makes me want to do this even more.
I want to show my children that dreams are never to be limited to other people’s expectations and that the dream is attainable as long as you’re willing to chase it. The reason for the chase may become different throughout the journey, but if you really want and believe in something you can do it. I am doing it and I definitely don’t intend to stop. I have a good support system and too many people that are counting on me not to fail.
Well said. I feel those things too. Speaking personally, I’d rather be delusional or seen as someone trying too hard rather than be someone that’s too scared to try in the first place. Still, do you ever feel like giving up?
JT: Only every fucking day…. Haha. It’s discouraging to put yourself into your art and play in front of crowds that wish you weren’t there or to hear people tell you that your time is up… it’s discouraging to sit in a writing session for 2 hours and come out with nothing and then hear a song from one of your favorite artists and they nailed it… but I’ve wanted to do this as far back as I can remember, I think if I gave up I literally wouldn’t be able to live with myself and those around me would find me even more difficult to live with…
I tried to quit several years back, and it was the deepest depression I’ve ever encountered just short of losing my grandmother and father.
I’m glad you hung in there. How has making this album changed you? What changes did your life go through during this album’s creation? Do you feel like you’re in a better place now than you were then?
JT- I think this record has changed me in the sense that I feel accomplished, it’s a body of work I put together and completed and is ready to go out for everyone to hear and that is something that is not looming over me anymore, I feel like I can move onto the next part of the story if you will come, and work on the next batch of songs. It’s also changed me and how I think I’ll approach the process from now on for sure.
It’s hard to say all the changes that my life went through while making this record, Because I started writing some of the songs in 2015. My life went through the end of a six-year relationship, getting to work with a musical hero and getting him to produce an EP for me, my father’s suicide, moving away from my hometown for my sanity but also away from my boys Jayden and Jackson, the start of a new relationship, the birth of my daughter Elowen, the end of that relationship, thinking I was never gonna play music again possibly, the start of a new relationship, deciding to go ahead and pursue this dream, the birth of my daughter Lila, becoming engaged to my fiancé and to the birth of my son Cohen.
Also, played a shit ton of shows, had the opportunity to open for some great artists like Amy Helm, Steve Poltz, Jim Avett, The Way Down Wanderers, make some amazing new friends, which all led to where we are at right here. So, I’m definitely in a better place now than I have been and the record definitely helps!
I love both music videos you’ve put out (‘Realistic Love Song’ & ‘The Single Fatherhood Feels of Cory Dean’). What was the process like for making those videos?
JT: Thank you!! Man, A huge shout out to Kylie Daniel from Half Moon Digital who shot both music videos and helped develop the concepts of both videos as well. Kylie is something of a wizard, haha! The process was me basically getting with the guys I had recorded the record with (John Merikoski, Sammy Hinrichsen and Matthew Pittman) in regard to which songs to release as singles. So, after we picked these two particular songs, I got with Kylie, who I’d known previously from our old bands playing together back in the day, but was reintroduced to him and his new video skills through my buddy Nick McNeely whose band Free Range Youth (check them out!!) had done three videos with Half Moon Digital previously that were all stellar… so once Kylie and I connected we developed the concepts and ran with it until we got what we wanted. I couldn’t be happier with either video and I believe we are getting ready to shoot a third soon for the next single!! Very excited.
Name one highlight and one lowlight of your solo career so far.
JT: A highlight for sure was after releasing my music video for “Realistic Love Song”, I was asked to open for Pokey LaFarge at The Castle Theater in Bloomington, IL. And that was just a huge honor and very surreal as he is definitely an influence. (Also, check out Pokey LaFarge if you aren’t familiar, such an incredible songwriter and performer.)
A Lowlight I guess would be the lack of respect local artists get… no matter how hard you work and put yourself out there, many of the local venues want to barter with the artist until they are exhausted into saying yes… I play so many shows for far less than I should. I as well as many of my musical peers know our worth and when you get offered $100 bucks from a local venue for a three hour set that they aren’t even going to promote… that wears on you after a while, but you play in hopes that people will see your name on as many things as possible and start looking into it, or that 1 out of twenty in the audience that is there to hear original music and not “Freebird,” will follow you on a social platform or buy your record.
How have your family and personal relationships benefitted your music career? Has your music career had a positive or negative effect on your family and personal relationships?
JT: I think my music has benefitted from my personal relationships in them being where the main inspiration comes from, be it good or bad…I have an entire record worth of material I could put out just about my father alone…hahaha! The experience in that relationship was bittersweet… but the music would definitely benefit. Also, I think having a support system makes you feel that what you’re doing is purposeful and justified in that you’re doing it for a reason and for other people. I think from a positive perspective my kids are getting to see their parent do something outside of a mundane 9-5, and do something that is very difficult, time consuming and very hard work but also something that’s blooming because of the time and commitment put into it.
My son Jayden plays drums (he is actually the drummer in the video for “The Single Fatherhood Feels of Corey Dean” and is going to college this fall for music, he also just ordered his first Mac, interface, mics and all of that… my daughter Lila grabs her guitar every time I rehearse and comes and pretends to play along and sing, so I think there is inspiration in all of that for them and for myself to keep pursuing it. My daughter Lila is constantly talking about coming to my shows and singing with me or what not, and I love it. From a negative perspective, it’s very time consuming and that can weigh heavy at certain times when you work a typical day job (I’m also going to school full time) and you’re playing shows almost every single weekend.
You used to play in Christian bands, do you still believe in God and what do you think happens when we die?
JT: This is a good question. I can’t honestly say I’m a Christian, but I wouldn’t say I’ve ruled out the idea completely. I led praise and worship for years… played in Christian bands for years and I found a lot of it to have an agenda or something a bit off about it in its authenticity. That’s not to say every experience was like that, or that it’s that way for everyone… I also met a ton of really good people who did really good things, however I am okay with the fact that I just don’t know. Nobody knows… nobody really knows and it’s great to have faith and hope for the best, but at the end of the day Joel Olsteen or the preacher down the road doesn’t really know any more about creation and what’s matter of fact than I do. I have a couple tunes on the record that touch on my relationship with the church and Christianity as a whole in “Long Bright Dark” and “Beautiful & Strange”. I am content for now with not knowing.
I just had a discussion with my son Jackson the other day about death and we both think reincarnation in some form, makes the most sense or the idea of “the light” that you see in death is possibly rebirth… honestly even that sounds wild to me. Maybe we just don’t exist anymore? You know? Maybe we are here and then we die and that was it and maybe it’s all for nothing. That’s a possibility too and I think the fear of that is why people cling to alternatives so hard. So hard to say. Jesus was great, I love the man and the teachings of Christ, but clearly Americanized Christianity is missing the mark… because I’ve seen church literally destroy lives, I’ve seen as many affairs start in churches that would probably rival the number that start in bars and it’s just an incredibly hateful world we live in and I just don’t see the change that it’s making to be one thing or another any better, aside from people who think outside the box and accept all walks of life… at the end of the day we are all humans, we are all selfish and hopefully trying to do better than we did yesterday.
How often do you think of dying? And does making music help you feel like you can maybe outrun it?
I think about dying all the time, multiple times a day… I feel like music definitely helps me out run it, music keeps my mind busy… be it writing, practicing, booking, playing, recording, etc. so it definitely helps take my mind off of the stuff I find unsettling. I know that there is no way to outrun death of course, but I do feel like artists leave a huge part of themselves and therefor never die in that sense… I guess as long as you create something timeless you, yourself end up immortalizing yourself in a sense and become timeless with the art you created and released.
Bonus Questions: Who/What are your top five…
Favorite Artists of All Time
(These are the top five usually in rotation)
The Beatles
The Avett Brothers
John Prine
Father John Misty
John Mayer
Favorite Songs of All Time
I can’t pick just one Beatles song to put here so…
Seven Years- Norah Jones
Life- The Avett Brothers
Stop This Train- John Mayer
Holy Shit- Father John Misty
Ain’t Hurtin Nobody- John Prine
Favorite Lyrics Written By Someone Else
Hmmm… tough one. Stop this train by John Mayer is pretty great and so is Holy Shit by Father John Misty… if it doesn’t count as cheating, I’d say the lyrics throughout the entirety of Pure Comedy album by Father John Misty.
Favorite Lyrics You’ve Written
It’s in the End (thumbprints) or Beautiful & Strange
Favorite Movies
The Darjeeling Limited
That Thing You Do
Lawless
What’s Eating Gilbert Grape
Batman (1989)
Favorite Moments of Your Life
Obviously, the birth of my children
Jayden’s graduation a couple of weeks ago
Watching Jayden drum, watching Jack draw, watching Elowen be creative, watching Lila play guitar and sing, watching Cohen grow into his wild personality
Moments spent with my grandma Eula and just thinking about how happy she was just to be around me. The love that she had for me was rare and I think someone may only love you like that once in a lifetime. She was by far my biggest supporter.
Late 90’s Boy Bands or Late 90’s R&B Groups? Who’s better?
Late 90s R&B
Lauren Hill/FuGees
Boy 2 Men
Mary J. Blige
Bel Biv DeVoe
TLC
What do you think is more likely to exist, Ghosts or Aliens?
JT: Can I say both… I definitely believe in a spiritual world, demons, ghosts, guardians, etc., I also believe that the thought that in this massive universe we live in and all of the other galaxies, etc… it would be insane to think other life forms do not exist. However, I do not actually know… and have never experienced either.
Thanks, Jeremy. I think so too.
Jeremy Todd’s self-titled debut solo album is available to stream now on Spotify, AppleMusic, and wherever else you may stream music. Check out www.jeremytoddmusic.com to see when Jeremy’s playing a town near you, also check out some merch and follow his social media accounts while you’re there.