Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Todd Carey

2019 is shaping up to be a year that Todd Carey will never forget. The singer-songwriter recently welcomed a new addition to his life, and will tie the knot with partner Lindsay later this summer. The pair inspired his highly-anticipated new single, “Real Love”, and have given Todd a new perspective and depth on life. As Todd elegantly states, “It’s like going from a world of black and white to color.”

“Real Love” is the first of many new songs that Todd has planned for the year. Pop Culturalist caught up with him in between rehearsals to chat about all his new music, life as a father, and much more.

PC: How did you discover your passion for music?
Todd: It came from my family. You meet a lot of musicians, or you hear about them, that grew up playing or had it really ingrained. For me, my family was full of avid music fans. They weren’t necessarily accomplished musicians, but they had the passion, which they instilled in me. From a very early age, I remember there was always music, everywhere.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Todd: That’s a good question. To continue that same thread, it would be my family. My dad built the musical depth that I feel I have. He taught me everything from popular music and all the standard stuff to more highbrow, jazz, and classical.

PC: Tell us about your new single, “Real Love”. What inspired the song?
Todd: I can’t tell you how excited I am about this song! It’s the end result of three years of writing. I’m starting to realize that I’m in this meticulous pattern of creating music. Content is king, and I think that also applies to pop music. People are putting out a steady stream of music.

There’s a sort of dichotomy with me because people know me as a prolific person. I’m putting a lot of content out on the internet for my followers socially—a lot of videos and pictures every day—but they’re like where’s your music? The reason for that is because when it comes to pop music, I take it super seriously. For every project, I write between 50 to 100 songs. I spend years getting the songs recorded and playing them live in front of audiences to make sure they work, not only for the audience, but for me too.

“Real Love” is one of the final songs in a three-year process of writing, recording, and performing. It reminds me of “Nintendo”, a song on my last record that did really well. I spent three years writing a million songs that I’m really proud of, and then right at the end, this fun clever pop song came out of nowhere—it’s because I wasn’t trying. The record was done, and I had what I loved. We were ready to go. I was writing all these songs. I was in all these sessions. Then, all of a sudden, the pressure is off, and you get a really fun song like “Real Love”.

PC: You recently became a father. What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from being a parent that you’ve been able to apply to your career?
Todd: That’s another good question. My entire adult existence has been very singularly focused on my career. Having a little gorgeous baby daughter has softened me, in a good way. It makes me appreciate my career more, and it adds a crazy depth to my life. The same thing goes for my fiancé, and soon to be my wife. It’s like taking the world and going from black and white into color. This project, this song, this single, my daughter, my fiancé, and my personal life have gone from black and white to color. It feels great!

PC: You’re releasing more singles in the coming weeks. What can you tell us about those? Is there one you’re particularly excited for fans to hear?
Todd: Sure, the follow-up song to “Real Love” is called “Infinity”. It’s one of the best songs I’ve ever written, without a doubt. It has a classic, romantic vibe to it. People have compared it to “Thinking Out Loud” or “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran. It’s a very personal song about my family and my love life. I’m really excited for that one!

PC: You’ve had a lot of success in your career. When you look back, is there a particular moment that stands out to you?
Todd: It’s been such a long, slow process, but in a good way. It hasn’t felt like there have been any sudden jumps, which has kept me soldiering on. It’s been like climbing stairs, then doing a flight, stopping halfway to catch my breath, then assessing that I’ve made it this far, and then continuing. There have been little plateau moments like performing with Train on their cruise, the success of “Nintendo”, and amassing a fan base that cares about what I do.

PC: What does the rest of the year hold for you as we look ahead in 2019?
Todd: Man, this has been the craziest year of my life. “Real Love” is out now, then there’s a new song coming out every four to six weeks throughout the summer. I just had a daughter. She’s six-weeks-old. In July, I’m getting married, and then I’ll be touring in the fall. Early next year, I’ll be doing the Train Cruise.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Todd: I have cool kids stuff like Cautious Clay, Khalid, Carly Rae Jepsen, Maggie Rogers, but then I’m also listening to The Greatest Showman. [laughs] It’s a wide range.

PC: First album you bought?
Todd: I think it may have been Elvis: Greatest Hits that was given to me by my dad.

PC: First concert you attended?
Todd: Michael Jackson’s Victory Tour. It’s my first memory—being on my dad’s shoulders.

PC: Someone you’d like to collaborate with in the future?
Todd: Jon Bellion

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Todd: That’s a good question. I’m going to say Abbey Road. I grew up with The Beatles. Abbey Road felt like a fully realized piece of art that was pop. It expanded for me what pop music could be.

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Todd: Red Rocks

PC: A must-have on tour?
Todd: Waffle House

To keep up with Todd, follow him on Twitter and Instagram, and pick up “Real Love” on Amazon Music, iTunes, or stream it on Spotify.