Todd Mathis

I finally finished up this Nick Cave cover I’ve been working on.  It started out with just me playing guitar to a click track and one vocal pass.  I passed that on to my often partner in crime Kevin Kimbrell, and he programmed some drums.  After that I went back and re-did the guitars to go along with the drum beat, added some synth and did a proper vocal with a harmony while Kevin added a bass line.  The last recorded piece of the puzzle was a simple piano part I added.

It was a fun process and interesting to work via dropbox and text.  Kevin and I never actually talked on the phone or exchanged long emails, we just did our own thing and sent it back and forth. I hope we get to do some more projects like this.

Helping achieve our vision was High Fidelity Recordings’ finest Carl Burnitz, who engineered the vocals and guitars, and Paul Bodamer who mixed and mastered everything.

I only came to Nick Cave a few years ago but quickly fell in love with his deep baritone and haunting songwriting.  This song stood out to me and I played it over and over for weeks at a time and at some acoustic shows.  If you’ve never heard the original, do yourself a favor and look it up.

Happy New Year.

https://toddmathis.bandcamp.com/track/into-my-arms

The 2018 Winter Solstice happens at 5:23pm this year on the 21st of December.  I love the changing of seasons.  The change brings on more creativity.  I also love this time of year because I am privileged enough to get to slow down a little, get time off from work and spend time with family and loved ones. I hope if you are reading this you get to do that as well. It’s also a good time for reflection on all accomplished in the previous 365 days and time for setting goals for the upcoming days.

I hope to finish and release at least 2 of my own projects this year in a solo acoustic album and the Interruptions “Border” project that I have mentioned before.  There’s also a faster stereo EP/album in the works that may see the light of day and a possible recording of some of my friend Bentz’s work.  I’ve been working with Bentz on and off for the past few months co-writing some songs about his childhood/family and it would be great to get some of these recorded. I’m sure I’ll get involved or start on something else as well.  That’s part of the excitement. Not knowing what my brain will want to do and following it as much as possible and stepping out of comfort zones.

Speaking of stepping out of comfort zones, I’m hoping to be recording myself a lot more this coming year.  I have a space 75% set up with a little gear so we’ll see what happens.  Until then, happy winter.

February 12:  Songversation at Tapps (Columbia, SC) with Bentz Kirby – Bentz and I will be playing some of the songs that we have written together over the past year telling stories from Bentz’s childhood and about his family.

February 20:  Lowes Foods Augusta Hwy (Lexington, SC) solo gig playing originals and probably some 70s/80s country or whatever is on my mind at the time.

October 16 – Todd solo at New Brookland Tavern (West Columbia, SC) opening for David Dondero

November 30 – His Only Friends Left at Art Bar (Columbia, SC) with Buckdancer, Pharaohs in Space

I’ve started a new album by laying down Strike drum/click tracks and some acoustic guitar.  I’m hoping to make this one a little more laid back, country style with some fiddle, pedal steel, etc.  At least 9 tracks, maybe more.  I’m also finishing up a little Nick Cave cover I hope to release here soon.

faster stereo will be recording in Nashville in November and I’m excited to be part of that.  We’ll be doing a few of my originals.

Y’all tell someone you love them today.