“This record attempts to translate the emotion of longing into sound. That’s why the title track describes the process of ‘want’, bordering on obsession.”- Todd Carey
Acclaimed for his hot-wire live performances, Carey has been hailed as a "talented musician with a lot of energy and an established following" (MTV Online), to a "star front man (with) solid material," (Music Connection). Given such effusive notices, it should come as no surprise that Carey's engrossing release on Inspiration Factory/High Wire Music/Fontana (Universal's Independent Arm), showcases his unique take on contemporary pop-rock song craft. Produced by Marshall Altman, (Marc Broussard, Matt Nathanson, Brooke Fraser), recorded by Niko Bolas (Neil Young, Rachael Yamagata, Warren Zevon), and mixed by Brian Malouf (O.A.R., Natasha Bedingfield, Pearl Jam) Watching Waiting stands out like an oasis of emotionalism in a cynical rock 'n' roll wasteland.
Carey's songs would be impressive enough if they were simply wonderfully crafted, radio-ready gems. But there’s an actual story behind Watching Waiting’s pop-inflected melodies, bedrock rhythms and introspective lyrics. Back in 2004, Carey found himself at a crossroads. Born and raised in the Chicago area, he had moved to Los Angeles in the late ‘90s to study music at the prestigious University of Southern California. Before long, he was earning his rock 'n' roll keep as front man for the improvisational LA band, Telepathy. Though Carey's charismatic stage presence helped transform Telepathy into one of southern California’s most successful club acts, the singer-guitarist found himself beset by feelings of restlessness, and returned to Chicago with new direction. "It was the live thing," Carey recalls with a laugh, referring to Mid-West’s fanatical crowds. "I missed playing shows for audiences who really want to grow with their artists."
Though Watching Waiting is largely shaped by Carey's recent experiences, the album’s themes of restlessness, displacement, homecoming and triumph are universally resonant. “This record attempts to translate the emotion of longing into sound. That’s why the title track describes the process of ‘want’, bordering on obsession. There was a really nice incubation period for these songs to come to life. I was able to able to play them in front of audiences, and test their legs before they were committed to disk.” The writing itself was also a two-year process, which included a stint with "The Challenge", a cyberspace song-writing parlor game that found Todd trading songs with the likes of Jason Mraz, Bob Schneider and Ari Hest. For Carey, Watching Waiting is the most recent chapter in an already storied career.
Touring heavily in support of the album, Carey performed over 100 shows in clubs, festivals and college campuses, opening for the aristocratic likes of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Jackson Browne, The Black Crowes, Trey Anastasio and Phil Lesh, Jason Mraz, Marc Broussard, G. Love & Special Sauce and more. Whether fronting his own hard-hitting touring band, or fashioning spontaneous songs from sampled rhythms and other sonic textures during select solo performances, Carey consistently earned new fans with his winning on-stage style.
Towards their goal of capturing that performing magic in the studio, Carey and producer Marshall Altman assembled and recorded with a crackerjack supporting band for Watching Waiting, including drummer Aaron Sterling (Liz Phair, Natasha Bedingfield, Ben Taylor), bassist Jonathan Ahrens (Matt Redman, Josh Kelley) and keyboardist Ben West. Additional guitar textures were supplied by guitarist Michael Chaves (Sarah McLachlan, John Mayer, Rufus Wainwright).
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city
Chicago
state/country
IL, US
time
Jan 2005 - present
highschool
New Trier High School '98
college
University of Southern California '02
Studio Guitar
Influences
The Beatles, Elvis Presely, Stevie Wonder, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Grunge, Radiohead, Dave Matthews Band, Door County Wisconsin, My Dad
Band Members
Todd Carey: Guitars, VocalsJeff Parker: BassJason Batchko: DrumsChris Gelbuda: Guitars, keys, vocals,
Website
www.toddcareymusic.com
Other Artists
he Postal Service, Ani Difranco, Charlie Parker, Telepathy, Ben Folds, Thelonious Monk, Phish, John Scofield, Sublime, Radiohead, The Dead, Square Pusher, Jon Brion, Jeff Buckley, Miles Davis, A Tribe Called Quest, Brandi Carlile, Jonathan Rice, Shooby Taylor, John Mayer, Bob Marely, Ben Harper, Ray Charles, Pat Metheny, Doves, Rick Ruben, Elvis Presley, Frank Zappa, John Martyn, John Coltrane, Jimi Hendrix, Aphex Twin, Johnny Cash, Joni Mitchell, The Mars Volta, Morphine, Paul Simon, Kanye West, Sigur Ros, Digable Planets, Tenacious D, Wilco, Bob Dylan, Bjork, The Allman Brothers Band, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Bill Frisell, Steve Reich, The Red Hot Chilli Peppers, , George Martin, , ?est Love, John Alagia, Ray Lamontange, Talib Kwali, The Band, Pearl Jam, Fela Kuti.
