"The combination of giddy piano pop, old-school soul and free-spirited songs finds Alsup treading an earnest if unlikely divide between Ben Folds and John Legend. However, he's too talented to be gauged by comparisons." - Performing Songwriter (June 2008)
"The best pop/r&b hybrid I've heard in more than a year! Merging Stevie Wonder with John Legend and the pop smarts of Jon McLaughlin. Ear-bending hooks that will control you for days."- Stereo Subversion (1/21/08)
The art of storytelling lies not only in the story, but in how it is conveyed. It is found in the words that a writer selects to craft an emotional arc, and it’s felt in the rhythms, notes and harmonies that a singer calls upon to evoke a mood. When chosen well, these elements can transport listeners both outside of, and deeply within, themselves. Todd Alsup displays such mastery of storytelling on his rich EP, Facts & Figures.
Todd's debut is a welcome throwback to classic songwriting. In songs that are honest and bursting with groove and personality, he fuses old-school soul and piano-man sensibilities with current rock and pop. Blessed with vocals that rise up from his soul with conviction and warmth, Todd is bound to strike a chord with listeners.
Born and raised in the suburbs of Detroit, Todd was attracted to the classic sounds of ‘60s soul and ‘70s pop at an early age. “I remember discovering my parents’ record collection – The Beatles, Carole King, Stevie Wonder and Billy Joel,” he says. “I spent hours and hours wearing down their vinyl, simply captivated. Soon I discovered artists like Marvin Gaye and Aretha Franklin – amazing singers who could deliver a melody and lyric like no one else. It was from listening to these artists that I learned to sing.”
2008 has already proven to be an outstanding year for Todd, with Facts & Figures garnering great reviews from such music industry bibles as Performing Songwriter, a feature on Billboard.com, airplay on New York’s Q104.3FM, and regular rotation on Sirius Satellite Radio’s OutQ. He was a semi-finalist this year in the Independent Music World Series and was recently selected to showcase at the NACA Northeast Convention this Fall. Meanwhile, he continues to captivate audiences at various popular downtown NYC clubs with his stripped-down acoustic sets.
For Todd the journey is all about making a lasting connection with listeners. “I don’t have a dream of super stardom, to have six different clothing lines,” he laughs. “It’s all about making great music. I would love to bring back that era of really great lyrics that tell meaningful and powerful stories about the human condition. I think that’s a lost art and if I can share that passion with an audience then I’m satisfied.”
Awesome new video Todd!! Sorry I haven't wrote for a while, busy with life. I hope that your doing good, and can't wait till you get to do some touring, and maybe make it out to Missouri!!
Hi Todd, Many thanks for becoming my friend. Really enjoyed your music and loved your voice. Hope you had a chance to listen to mine. If not, kindly take 10 minutes out of your life to do as such and leave me a comment. Peace and light Flávio
Such a cool vibe to cya over the weekend... LOVE YOUR SMILING FACE & your music is TOP NOTCH! Hope you rocked Georgie's and are coming back soon... Let's keep in touch and thanks again for making my Saturday @The WAVE GATHERING a BLAST! Loved Mattison Park & YOU... =A Real good fit...classy chic! YOU ROCK, Kat says so!
Hey! So I found some old videos at my parents house a while ago and one of them was the 1988 Della Lutes talent show. Remember that one???? Tell me, where do broken hearts go???
I also found the 1990 InterLakes Conservatory Christmas Collage. I totally forgot that you took piano there too! Except you actually did something with your lessons... my piano is the entertainment center in my bedroom right now.
hey there superstar! sara here, and i'm glad that i finally officially got to re-meet you, lol. your set was phenomenal and i'm blown away by your talent still :) i posted a few little videos that i got from last friday on my camera phone on youtube which i'm told you found, so that's good. i wish my camera phone would let me take longer videos than 30ish seconds, but ya get what you get! lol.
oh hey! i found the original autograph that i got from you five or so years ago at lakeland high, lol. i was digging through old stuff and there it was, in my orange notebook just as i remembered it! i should have made you date it, but at least i have witnesses to confirm its old-school validity when you become rich and famous and i sell it for a million dollars.
aaaaanyhow, just wanted to drop a little note. hope all is well!
HEY Todd! Hope everything is going great! I was hoping you would be able to do me a favor and vote for my portfolio online as often as you can, you can do it every 24hrs. So heres the link and you just click on the amount of stars you want to give my work. Please also send the link to you friends if possible and help me get popular votes...winning this competition has a lot of things to offer me, i will fill you in soon. <3
I got the pictures!! Thanks! Am I allowed to put them up on here? And it was SO MUCH fun on Friday. I still have "How I'm Made" in my head. :) And it was really great to finally talk in-depth with Matt...he's awesome and you should make him a myspace, lol.
Annnnd I'm not sure what this comment about the "captain" of the Todd Squad is about below me...because this was not discussed with Jen or myself so I'm afraid I will have to veto that decision. We will have to settle it in a professional manner, such as Rock Paper Scissors or something.
Anyway yeah I'll put up those pictures and if you end up wanting me to take them down I will okay? Thanks and it was great seeing you!
