Todd Koal is really cool, and it shows in his music, a nice blend of introspective lyrics and dreamy, effervescent pop instrumentation. You really should follow him on Twitter, like him on Facebook, and friend him on Myspace. But read this interview first!
1) Thanks for the interview! You describe your music as "transcendent acoustic pop." What exactly is transcendent acoustic pop?
Transcendent Acoustic Pop is something I came up with when I was working on my pitch. I used a website called http://www.
2) What experiences or individuals have shaped you musically?
I remember as a little kid first being introduced to my parents music, back when actual vinyl records were all the rage. I listening to the rock opera Jesus Christ Super Star over and over and over. I probably wasn't much older than 4 or 5 at the time. I'm sure I could still sing a big chunk of that album straight from memory. It had a big influence on me. I think that's probably how I was introduced to Spirituality as well. Luckily I never had to go to Sunday school because that was the same morning my Dad would play hockey.... and of course watching him won out over sunday school everytime I'm Canadian eh.
3) Did you always know you wanted to be a musician, or did you realize it was your calling later in life?
I started playing guitar when I was about eight. I can remember learning timing in the kitchen with my Mom and crying because I found it so difficult playing notes and tapping my foot at the same time. I have always kind of been Physically challenged. I was in a head on collision when I was 21 and there were years in my life were my spine and neck where so unstable that playing guitar was completely out of the question. I've had major alignment issues most of my adult life but I can honestly say that I am physically stronger and straighter than I have ever been. Being a musician takes a certain amount of health. And that been a bit of a challenge for me.
I think I knew early in life that I wanted to be a musician because music had such a big place in my heart . Actually expressing myself with my voice came much later. I've always been quite shy and more comfortable being in the background. I had to blow through this personality trait before I could be comfortable being seen or heard as a musician. Putting myself out there has been a big step in my growth as an artist and even as an individual. I am finding that I can really get behind my new EP "Spirit is Flow" although it has had to happen in its own time and space, perhaps a little later in life. Hopefully with the time it has taken, I am a little wiser for it.
4) Some people really don't like to be compared to other artists, but I hope you won't take offense now that I do. When I listened to "Running to Stand Still," I instantly thought The Velvet Underground. And then The Cure. (That's always a good thing in my book, by the way) Regardless of my opinions, what musicians have inspired you most?
Wow Thanks for that Maria. I'm totally honored to even be mentioned in the same sentence as those bands. There have been a lot of musical influences in my life. The folk rock classics like Tom Petty, Neil Young, Leonard Cohen, and Bob Dylan, all the way to more contemporary artists like Seal, Sting, Madonna and U2. Obviously The Beatles are on my list as are more recent pop stars like Cold Play and Pink, but the list goes on and on.... there are so many others.
5) Obviously, working without a major label to back you up is not easy for any artist. Has there ever been a point in your musical career that you felt like giving up?
You bet ! There have been many times where it seemed like I was not making any progress. There are a lot of different aspects involved in being an Indie Artist. Learning all the social media applications is very time consuming. Communicate effectively through social media is a skill I am still working on. Doing interviews, writing songs, recording, playing live, finding inspiration, working my vocal range, shooting videos, practicing, are not always convenient and no one is pushing me to do any of these things. You really need to be self motivated and completely realistic with yourself and what your expectation are. For example ... I am working on writing radio friendly songs that people can hopefully relate to. If they don't get played on the radio does that make the project a failure? The question you have to ask yourself is "Why are you doing what you're doing?" For me it is mostly about personal growth. Learning to be a better communicator. Being more at ease with the process. There are lots of things I'm not really comfortable doing within the whole realm of being a Indie Artist. That is where the gold is, showing up and being consistent and finding your way through. It's not easy or convenient... kind of like life. I do find that as I keep building towards my goals it helps in being consistent and staying focused on what my next steps are.
6) Random question: What's your favorite bubble-gum flavor?
Bubble gum
7) Any new plans for 2011?
Yeah I'm planing on shooting a Video Album of all of the songs on my new EP Spirit is Flow in the spring. Pretty much bare bones and raw... very acoustic not a lot of fluff. I'm sure I have a couple songs stirring around inside me somewhere ... so writing would be a good bet.
I'm also wanting to get more grounded with social media and putting myself out there. It's probably my weakest link, so I really need to work on it and I am learning, but more importantly to me... it's pushing my boundaries of comfortable. There's no evolution in comfortable and I am interested in growing as a person (spiritually) and evolving personally.
"And the further I go.... The less I know"
Hey just like that song...
