Kate Todd – Anywhere With You (2015)
FLAC (tracks) 24-bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 37:40 minutes | 475 MB | Genre: Country
Studio Master, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Kate Todd
The title track and debut single for Kate Todd’s latest album, Anywhere With You, is more than just an ode to the ideal romantic relationship. It’s passionately hopeful tone could also be said to be emblematic of the way Kate herself has plunged headlong into pursuing her musical dreams. “It’s about having such a deep connection to someone; having such faith in them that you would follow them anywhere; the same goes for your passions and desires to follow dreams. It requires this kind of faith,” said the multi-talented, Toronto-based country music sensation.
Anywhere With You was co-produced with Peter Linseman, and both he and Kate crafted the album’s original songs with some of the top writers in Nashville during a productive and eye-opening writing trip to Music City USA last year. While in the epicentre of the country music scene, Kate wrote with such luminaries as CCMA Award-winner Patricia Conroy, Ralph Murphy (Shania Twain, Little Texas), Bernie Nelson (Kenny Chesney, Wynonna Judd) and Phillip Douglas (Emerson Drive, Lone Star).
“That was my first trip to Nashville ever” said Kate. “We went down there with a line-up of ‘hit makers’ to co-write with, so I was really excited. Everyone was so great to work with. They all really connected with my style and we ended up writing some killer songs together. Bernie Nelson, Phillip Douglas, and Tim Taylor actually booked extra days to work with us and as a result, all of those songs will be on the album.”
Kate will tell you, “I love writing. I have always considered myself to be a writer first and when I perform, authenticity is most important to me. I want people to believe in what I am singing. I think that feeling what the artist is feeling and making a deep connection with their words and message, is the whole deal!”
From the onset of her recording career, Kate has been rewarded for her work and her talent. She was nominated twice for a Country Music Association of Ontario Rising Star Award, two Best Country Artist nominations from the Toronto Independent Music Awards, two MARTY Awards, as well as being awarded the Best New Album at the Radio Nation Music Awards for her 2012 debut Finding My Way.
Since the release of that album, Kate believes there has been significant growth and maturity in her approach to crafting music, which is evident on the songs she has created for Anywhere With You. “Life experience in general makes you a better artist no matter what medium that you work within. More experience means more stories, and of course stories are really important in music. I definitely took what I have learned and what I have been through over the past few years and put it into this album, and I think people will take notice of it.”
A key component to the authenticity of Kate Todd’s music was her small-town rural Ontario upbringing. “I spent a lot of time on my grandparents’ century farm. They’ve passed away, but it’s still there. That great feeling of being out in the country, in the fresh air and experiencing a different pace of life is at the heart of my music. It was an important element of my upbringing that shaped me not just as an artist but as a person. When I sing about the country life, it’s from the heart” she said.
Kate’s performing days actually began on television while she was still in high school, and landed a starring role in the hit teen-oriented TV series Radio Free Roscoe. She also appeared in hit TV shows like Disney’s My Babysitter’s A Vampire, Life with Derek, a Family Guy episode and most recently, a character role in one of the largest video games in the world – Assassin’s Creed V: Unity. But as much as acting is enjoyable and has helped her hone her performance skills, there is no doubt that music is her first love. “My character on Radio Free Roscoe was, ironically, a singer/songwriter and radio DJ, who played guitar. When I was in my trailer I was always playing. I never had lessons, but people on the set like the grips, electricians and other crew members would walk by and show me stuff. And that’s how I learned how to play. But as much as I loved acting, music always came first and now it’s become my primary focus,” she said.
As Kate developed her music career as a young artist, she was inspired by a host of female singer/songwriters such as Joni Mitchell, Terri Clark, Shania Twain and Sheryl Crow, whose impact she still feels in her music to this today. “Joni Mitchell’s Both Sides Now inspired me to pick up the guitar and start playing live. That was one of the first songs I ever played.”
The song Everything and Nothing picks up the title track’s theme of the power and blissfulness of being within the confines of an amazing relationship, where you can do anything with the one you love – or do nothing at all and still be fulfilled.
Conversely, Bad Bad Girl looks at a woman who has a wild side and loves life a little on the edge – although she is quick to point out that the song is not autobiographical. “I wrote that with Bernie, Phillip and Peter and I thought it was a cool and sexy title. ‘On a good good night’, we all have the potential to ‘be a bad bad girl’.
Kate, who grew up on the anthemic songs of Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Rolling Stones and Johnny Cash, wanted to create her own party anthem – and she succeeded with the brilliantly catchy sing-a-long song, My Country. “It’s an ode to what I grew up listening to – all those great classic rock bands and outlaw country artists. It’s a fun and catchy tune that is very much ‘me’ and reflects my lifestyle – “a little bit of lace, a little bit of leather and whole lot of country and rock and roll!”
With songs that speak of hope, love, life and positivity, Kate Todd has truly found her sound. Her sweetly powerful and expressive voice, easy charm and naturally engaging showmanship proves she is a legitimately gifted performer who knows how to draw in an audience and then dazzle them in a really big way.
Tracklist:
01. My Country (3:33)
02. Bad Bad Girl (3:10)
03. Anywhere With You (3:17)
04. Kiss Me You Fool (3:18)
05. Hey Day (2:43)
06. Women Are Right (3:07)
07. It Needed Breaking (3:00)
08. Lucky boots (2:43)
09. High (3:31)
10. Runaway Train (2:59)
11. Hit Me With Your Best Shot (3:06)
12. Everything And Nothing (3:21)
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