- Big Gipp & James Worthy – Out Of Control (Official Music Video) - December 30, 2023
- SnOOp Dogg Still DA FLyeSt and FreShEST - November 8, 2023
- Sultry and Soulful Songstress Jori Sun Previews Fresh New Track - November 3, 2023
Brooklyn based Americana folk singer-songwriter Todd Lewis Kramer writes beautiful songs about being in love, longing for someone and self-reflection. He is currently gearing up for his debut album ‘Fairground,’ which is set to drop mid-May.
GroundSounds recently caught up with Todd, to talk about his latest project, musical inspirations and more, check out the exclusive interview below.
For those just discovering your music, can you tell us a little bit about your background and how you got started playing?
Well, I grew up in a small suburban town outside of New Haven, CT in a big, super-close family. Our parents encouraged us each to pick up an instrument at a young age, so I picked up drums – and was terrible. That led me to singing, which I did through high school, and then I started to noodle on the guitar. I think I always had an interest in writing songs, but I didn’t really think too much about it or consider that I’d actually become a songwriter. And then I had one of those fun breakups, and the floodgates opened, and the rest is history I suppose.
What do you enjoy most about NYC?
Oof, that’s a tough one. Aside from being surrounded by some of the most talented people I’ve ever met on a consistent basis, I guess it’s probably just the ability to do whatever you want, wherever, whenever. Not only is New York the best city on earth, it’s also the most convenient — pretty good combo.
What has it been like working on your forthcoming album ‘Fairground’ and bringing it to fruition?
Oh man, working on Fairground has been quite an experience. It’ll be almost exactly two years from the start of the recording process to the release date, so we certainly took our time with it.
It’s definitely been a learning experience – sort of a crash course in management (time and money), patience and figuring out how to make stuff happen yourself in this crazy music universe. But the overwhelming feeling of making this record has been positive and I’m so damn proud of it. Being able to work with some of my best friends and hearing these songs come to life over the past few years on stage and in the studio has been a great experience. Some of these songs I wrote when I was like 21-22 years old, but they stand the test of time in my head.
Having a little time to reflect on the record since we finished it, I’ve come to view it as a sort of culmination of the beginning of my songwriting career, and it’s really energizing and exciting to put it out for people to listen.
Can you tell us about the writing and creative process involved with your track “I Want Your Love?”
I Want Your Love was one of those tunes that you hear songwriters talk about, where you just sit down and 20 minutes later you have a song. I remember sitting on my couch in my old apartment, being in a good mood, and just deciding to write a happy love song. I wish I could say that happens every day, all the time, but that would be a lie. Luckily, I was able to get out of my own way and just let this song happen and I’m so glad I did. It’s a great feeling when you think you have a keeper even before you bring it to an audience — or your friends, or your band — for approval.
What is it about love that makes you want to write about it?
I suppose it’s the same reason other people write about it. I don’t want to paint with too broad a brush, but I think it’s something that is on people’s minds, it’s complicated, it’s romantic, everyone’s got an opinion on it and many people have had positive and negative experiences with it (likely both). My own personal experience was that I had a serious relationship at a really young age, which affected me at a pretty developmental time in my life, so it was kind of natural for me to drift there when I really started writing.
What musicians/bands are you currently listening to?
I’m always looking for bands/musicians/writers that inspire me, and I’ll go through phases of listening to artists really intensely. I’m definitely a sucker for a good pop tune and melody (lookin’ at you T-Swift and Biebs) but I also follow the Nashville scene a little bit looking for good artists and writers, and I’m always coming across writers that I dig. If we’re naming names, two guys that I’m really into right now are Donovan Woods and Steve Moakler.
Can you tell us about the inspiration for “Anna?”
“Anna” is an extremely personal song about something that someone I care deeply about went through. All is well now, but I can’t really get too much into details about the inspiration for that song (mysterious, I know). I will say it’s one of the oldest tunes on the record and is probably the most meaningful to me, and I’m really thrilled with how it came out production-wise. I really couldn’t be happier with it! (Am I allowed to say it’s my favorite song on the record?)
When performing what goes through your mind? What do you feel on stage?
It’s funny, for someone who can be pretty uncomfortable in a lot of situations, I feel weirdly at ease on stage. From conversations I’ve had, I guess this is actually pretty normal for performers. No matter where the show is, doesn’t matter how big or small, the entire day of the show I’ll be stressed out. But getting on the stage and playing is very freeing. And once I’m up there I’m usually having a pretty damn good time. The vibe can vary based on the audience and whether it’s a solo show (more intimate) or a band show (more lively), but I like both a lot. Mostly, I feel happy to be playing and just hope that the folks in attendance – whether they chose to be there or not — are enjoying themselves.
After the release of ‘Fairground’ what’s next for Todd Lewis Kramer? What can fans look forward to?
This goes back to what I said earlier about how energized and excited I feel about putting Fairground out. There was definitely a concern in the back of my mind that I’d get exhausted by this process, and that I’d get content with finishing and releasing something and I’d stop focusing on writing, but it’s been quite the opposite. I’ve been trying to write more than ever and we’re already in pre-production on the next thing. So fans can look forward to more of my face and my voice. In the meantime, I’ll be giggin’ in and around New York City this summer and fall in support of the record, so come on out and say hi!
