The story behind Todd Kessler’s music

American folk-rock musician Todd Kessler recently released his latest single, Lost Or Found, from his upcoming album, Here Is All We Have. Hailing from the suburbs of Chicago, Todd is a graduate of the University of Illinois with a degree in Music Theory and Composition. Following his graduation, he introduced his debut LP, We Are the Musicmakers.

In 2023, Todd ventured to Ireland to collaborate on Here Is All We Have with producer Hally, drummer Graham Hopkins, and bassist Rob Malone at Arthouse studio in Kildare, Ireland. Todd shared a few noteworthy details about himself, including his strong connection to the music scene in Chicago, the recording of his new album in Ireland, and his appearance on the US version of The Voice in 2012.

When discussing his music genre, Todd described himself primarily as a Folk-Americana singer-songwriter, although his sound has evolved over time. Initially termed as “organic rock,” it later evolved into alt/folk/pop during his time with indie rock band The New Folk. However, Todd now simplifies his classification to singer-songwriter to avoid confusion.

Reflecting on his musical influences, Todd referenced Paul Simon, David Gray, Glen Hansard, and The Beatles as his core inspirations. Recalling his first live concert experience, Todd reminisced about seeing Australian grunge band Silverchair at the Metro in Chicago when he was 12 years old.

Todd also fondly remembered buying his first albums, Green Day’s Dookie and Aerosmith’s Get A Grip. When asked about his current favorite song, Todd expressed his admiration for Red Cardinal by Jacob Jeffries, praising its arrangement, production, performance, and lyrics.

Highlighting a memorable lyric, Todd shared a quote from Bob Marley’s Trenchtown Rock, “One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain,” emphasizing the emotional impact of music. Addressing the challenging question of choosing one song to listen to for the rest of his life, Todd mentioned Say It To Me Now by The Frames, particularly the live version, citing Glen Hansard’s captivating performance and the powerful audience response.

To access Todd’s music and additional information about his work, fans can find his music on various platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon. To stay updated on Todd’s latest endeavors, audiences can follow him on Instagram @toddkessler or visit his website for more details.