Todd Adleff
Todd Adleff
The passionate pop of Todd Adleff seduces listeners’ ears with finely crafted acoustic textures and real emotional content rather than heart-string tugging artifice designed to induce a Pavlovian, programmed response from music fans accustomed to being buried under assembly line songwriting. Adleff’s music is the remedy for that kind of music; he brings originality, song smarts and captivating melodies to his fans.
Always There
Music was not a matter of choice for Adleff, but rather a matter of destiny. Always a strong presence in his life, music has long held sway over Adleff’s affections. Songwriting and performance were inevitable for him. “Music has always been a major part of my life,” he says. “I was a roadie for my dad’s band I always have to be around it.” When he’s not writing his own, Adleff immerses himself in others’ songs. And when he finds great music from another artist, it brings him inspiration to go out and create more of his own. It’s a love affair for Adleff. “Music is a feeling way inside that takes me to another place,” he says.
Real Emotions
The food that feeds his music, Adleff says, is genuine emotional experiences culled from reality. “Emotional real life situations inspire me.” There’s the key to the emotive potency of Adleff’s songwriting. He keeps himself busy and travels frequently, keeping himself exposed to new stimuli for fresh inspiration. “I am influenced by being constantly active and traveling and being in different environments and around new people,” he says. All this is the foundation for the rich emotional palette of Adleff’s songwriting.
The Artist at Work
Adleff is busy planning touring along the west coast, with an east coast tour to follow next year. He’s also laying the groundwork for his next CD, carefully putting the pieces together for the new project. Adleff’s current CD, “Plan B,” was released this year. Adleff is currently working with A&R Select, the leading indie A&R firm in Hollywood, CA.
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
Nearly forty years ago, John Lennon sang a song called Working Class Hero. In it he lamented the ills of a repressive society, and praised the determined individuals who endured. Todd Adleff, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a man who has fought through many of the battles often associated with music: band break-ups, low funds, and an industry that is obsessed with the quick fix, the pre-packaged, and the willingness to follow trends. Some might say that Todd has already won by continuing to do what he loves. He would, however, argue that the best is yet to come. Recent signs are certainly pointing in that direction. This much about his story is clear: Todd Adleff has been tried, and his music remains true.
Rather than trying to appeal to certain niche groups, Todd has built a following by writing and performing music that has the potential to reach people of all ages. This is evident by the wide-ranging crowds who have recently attended his shows. Often mentioned in the same breath as vocalists Rob Thomas and Glen Philips, Todd grew up listening to Motown artists. His father was a singer, so he developed an appreciation for vocalists who worked at their craft. Inspired by the singers who made soul a living and breathing entity, rather than just a genre, Todd has made it a goal of his to successfully "emote through his voice", as well as through his lyrics. His songs are wonderful contradictions, teaming somber and thought-provoking lyrics with feel-good music that is catchy and memorable upon first listen.
Now based in Pittsburgh and armed with his acoustic guitar, Todd has recently played venues in Philadelphia, New York City, and elsewhere throughout the Northeast. He has also performed at the James Brown Festival in Augusta, Georgia, as well as at several venues on the West Coast including The House Of Blues in Las Vegas. He is determined to do something on stage that connects with his audience. He considers his live show to be "an attempt to allow people to feel" what he is feeling. His ambition and belief in his ability is evident: he states it as his goal to make "a living doing this thing called music", so that he can devote the proper amount of attention to his musical career. Recent events are certainly making that increasingly likely. He has been booked to play the House of Blues in Las Vegas in the coming months. In addition, Todd will be signing with A&R Select, a leading indie A&R firm in Hollywood, CA. Finally, Noteborn Music has selected his song, A Thousand Times, for a licensing agreement to be placed in movies, advertisement campaigns, television shows, and more. Despite many years on the road and in the studio, the Todd Adleff story seems to be just beginning.
It is becoming increasingly apparent that Todd Adleff has the characteristics of a successful singer/songwriter. It goes beyond having a way with words and a gift for melody, both of which he has. It also transcends an entertaining live show, which is another intriguing aspect of the Todd Adleff experience. He has continually displayed an uncanny ability to endure. His goal of selling enough music to make a living sounds simple, but the thousands of musicians whose guitars are now covered with dust will attest to the fact that it is not quite so easy. It takes ambition, drive, and an unrelenting work ethic. In other words, it just might take a working class hero to remind people of all that is right in rock n' roll. Todd Adleff is more than willing to play the part. You can also see Todd at www.myspace.com/toddadleff
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
Yes, All over the States, Yes, Meeting lots of cool people
Your musical influences
Musical influences are good singers with emotion and feeling. Rock to motown to new alt country.
What equipment do you use?
Taylor Acoustics, Fender, Esp Electrics, Audix vx5 Vocal Mic, Peavey Delta Blues Amp