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The "almost" official blog for everything Todd Rundgren Related........................................................................................................................................................................... Please visit the sister facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Ma4utopia?ref=hl
Friday, November 28, 2008
Todd Rundgren - Perthshire Advertiser (gig review and interview)
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Thursday, November 27, 2008
YAHOO NEWS:Todd Rundgren, pop genius and studio magician
http://ph.news.yahoo.com/afp/20081127/ten-entertainment-music-pop-us-1dc2b55.html
PARIS (AFP) - - His name may not be mainstream in the music world, but to die-hard pop lovers Todd Rundgren is a genius. Driven by a thirst for experimentation, the American technophile is known as a studio magician who has conjured up eclectic sounds for over 40 years.
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The 60-year-old pop rocker has constantly crossed genres and pushed boundaries in his artistic journey, but in an interview said this was not groundbreaking and was surprised people expected him to recreate past successes.
"I had never thought about music in that way," Rundgren, in Paris for a concert, told AFP, adding that he was influenced by the experimentalism of the Beatles.
In three years, "they evolved from a straight ahead sort of rock 'n roll band into this highly experimental studio band", said the Fab Four fan, who in 1974 had a war of words with John Lennon, who he said at the time was no longer "revolutionary" enough.
Armed with a cult standing, Rundgren recently released his umpteenth album "Arena", in the genre of stadium rock. His previous albums -- whether solo or with groups The Nazz and Utopia -- ventured into an infinite variety of other styles, from pop to soul to experimental electronic music.
In the charts, Rundgren's biggest success was the 1972 double album "Something/Anything?", adorned with studio sound effects. It contained the hits "Hello It's Me", already played by The Nazz, and "I Saw The Light".
Instead of capitalizing on this success, Rundgren chose a new direction and the following year released "A Wizard, A True Star", a psychedelic and influential album thought to be his true masterpiece.
Unlike many prolific musicians, Rundgren treats success as something to be leveraged into completely new projects and discoveries.
"You use it to give yourself the freedom to try new things," said the tall strapping musician who in the 70s raised actress Liv Tyler (daughter of Aerosmith rocker Steven Tyler) when he was living with her mother, model Bebe Buell.
While his once lanky silhouette is now sturdier, Rundgren has kept his long mane, his multicoloured highlights of past days replaced with a mix of jet-black and platinum blonde streaks.
Artistically, the Philadelphia native is from the same family as the Beatles post-1966, Brian Wilson and, more recently, Radiohead, all perfectionist musicians who think of the recording studio as an instrument for creating experimental sounds.
"When I built my first studio, it was a fairly unusual thing for an artist to have his own personal recording space," said Rundgren, who adopted the approach that the musical creation process was something that happens in the studio while recording.
"I really didn't ever go back to the other way again; looking at the composition and conceptualisation as separate from recording," he said.
His love for the studio has made him a talented producer, working with the likes of Patti Smith, Meat Loaf and the Sparks.
His greatest success as a producer, however, remains the 1986 XTC album "Skylarking", one of the biggest albums of the 80s.
The creative process was anything but easy though, as Rundgren was at daggers drawn with frontman Andy Partridge, also renowned as a magician in the studio.
Today living in Hawaii, away from the cutting edge of musical innovation, Rundgren shakes off the description "technophile".
While he is not afraid of change, neither does he embrace all inventions over the past four decades.
"I don't use all technologies. I don't use a cell phone, I've made the evaluation that I like my privacy more than I like the idea of being connected all the time!" said the sexagenarian rocker with a laugh.
PARIS (AFP) - - His name may not be mainstream in the music world, but to die-hard pop lovers Todd Rundgren is a genius. Driven by a thirst for experimentation, the American technophile is known as a studio magician who has conjured up eclectic sounds for over 40 years.
ADVERTISEMENT
The 60-year-old pop rocker has constantly crossed genres and pushed boundaries in his artistic journey, but in an interview said this was not groundbreaking and was surprised people expected him to recreate past successes.
"I had never thought about music in that way," Rundgren, in Paris for a concert, told AFP, adding that he was influenced by the experimentalism of the Beatles.
In three years, "they evolved from a straight ahead sort of rock 'n roll band into this highly experimental studio band", said the Fab Four fan, who in 1974 had a war of words with John Lennon, who he said at the time was no longer "revolutionary" enough.
Armed with a cult standing, Rundgren recently released his umpteenth album "Arena", in the genre of stadium rock. His previous albums -- whether solo or with groups The Nazz and Utopia -- ventured into an infinite variety of other styles, from pop to soul to experimental electronic music.
In the charts, Rundgren's biggest success was the 1972 double album "Something/Anything?", adorned with studio sound effects. It contained the hits "Hello It's Me", already played by The Nazz, and "I Saw The Light".
Instead of capitalizing on this success, Rundgren chose a new direction and the following year released "A Wizard, A True Star", a psychedelic and influential album thought to be his true masterpiece.
Unlike many prolific musicians, Rundgren treats success as something to be leveraged into completely new projects and discoveries.
"You use it to give yourself the freedom to try new things," said the tall strapping musician who in the 70s raised actress Liv Tyler (daughter of Aerosmith rocker Steven Tyler) when he was living with her mother, model Bebe Buell.
While his once lanky silhouette is now sturdier, Rundgren has kept his long mane, his multicoloured highlights of past days replaced with a mix of jet-black and platinum blonde streaks.
Artistically, the Philadelphia native is from the same family as the Beatles post-1966, Brian Wilson and, more recently, Radiohead, all perfectionist musicians who think of the recording studio as an instrument for creating experimental sounds.
"When I built my first studio, it was a fairly unusual thing for an artist to have his own personal recording space," said Rundgren, who adopted the approach that the musical creation process was something that happens in the studio while recording.
"I really didn't ever go back to the other way again; looking at the composition and conceptualisation as separate from recording," he said.
His love for the studio has made him a talented producer, working with the likes of Patti Smith, Meat Loaf and the Sparks.
His greatest success as a producer, however, remains the 1986 XTC album "Skylarking", one of the biggest albums of the 80s.
The creative process was anything but easy though, as Rundgren was at daggers drawn with frontman Andy Partridge, also renowned as a magician in the studio.
Today living in Hawaii, away from the cutting edge of musical innovation, Rundgren shakes off the description "technophile".
While he is not afraid of change, neither does he embrace all inventions over the past four decades.
"I don't use all technologies. I don't use a cell phone, I've made the evaluation that I like my privacy more than I like the idea of being connected all the time!" said the sexagenarian rocker with a laugh.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
special announcement from todd's myspace
Europe and beyond....
Well the European tour as a whole went rather well. The timing of the new NY Dolls project couldnt have come at a better time for TR as well. Its been getting some serious international coverage which can do nothing by help Todd. It will also spill over into exposure for Arena as well. All good things.
Onward to the east coast shows. They are all selling quite well. I think the only shows that have the possibility of not selling out are the Blender shows in NYC. Tell your friends and youre friends friends and maybe we CAN sell out the shows. I think I am going to the NYC dates so maybe I will see some of you there.
Ive been receiving occasional emails regarding the New Years Eve show in Philidelphia. You would need to make contact with Doug at Rundgren Radio regard the purchase of tickets for that event. It sounds like its going to be a great show. All intimate and hip. Rumor has it that a couple of Todd fans are going to tie the knot there before the gig. Proof that marriage is not a completely dead concept yet. good times.
Hope everyone has a lovely holiday weekend! Im cutting out early today and have a jam packed weekend of fun lined up. Waaaaahooo!!
xxlynn
Well the European tour as a whole went rather well. The timing of the new NY Dolls project couldnt have come at a better time for TR as well. Its been getting some serious international coverage which can do nothing by help Todd. It will also spill over into exposure for Arena as well. All good things.
Onward to the east coast shows. They are all selling quite well. I think the only shows that have the possibility of not selling out are the Blender shows in NYC. Tell your friends and youre friends friends and maybe we CAN sell out the shows. I think I am going to the NYC dates so maybe I will see some of you there.
Ive been receiving occasional emails regarding the New Years Eve show in Philidelphia. You would need to make contact with Doug at Rundgren Radio regard the purchase of tickets for that event. It sounds like its going to be a great show. All intimate and hip. Rumor has it that a couple of Todd fans are going to tie the knot there before the gig. Proof that marriage is not a completely dead concept yet. good times.
Hope everyone has a lovely holiday weekend! Im cutting out early today and have a jam packed weekend of fun lined up. Waaaaahooo!!
xxlynn
special offer for NYE show.
Spend NYE in Philly
with Todd. Get a FREE
MUSICIAN T-shirt.
In support of the RundgrenRadio.com special New Year’s Eve with Todd Rundgren gig, Toddata.com is offering a FREE MUSICIAN T-SHIRT to the first 25 fans who mention this email when purchasing tickets.
Just go to www.toddnye.info and make your claim. First come, first served for 25 lucky fans only!
Thanks for supporting Toddata.com and RundgrenRadio.com.
Ring in the New Year with Todd!
with Todd. Get a FREE
MUSICIAN T-shirt.
In support of the RundgrenRadio.com special New Year’s Eve with Todd Rundgren gig, Toddata.com is offering a FREE MUSICIAN T-SHIRT to the first 25 fans who mention this email when purchasing tickets.
Just go to www.toddnye.info and make your claim. First come, first served for 25 lucky fans only!
Thanks for supporting Toddata.com and RundgrenRadio.com.
Ring in the New Year with Todd!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
TODD AND THE LIARS
TODD AND THE LIARS ARE DONE WITH THE EUROPE LEG OF THIS TOUR. SEEMS ALL HIS FANS WERE AMAZED WITH HIS PERFORMACE.
A LITTLE BREAK TO CATCH HIS WIND AND OFF TO THE WINTER LEG.
CANT WAIT FOR HIS NY AREA SHOWS.. ROCK ON TODD.....
A LITTLE BREAK TO CATCH HIS WIND AND OFF TO THE WINTER LEG.
CANT WAIT FOR HIS NY AREA SHOWS.. ROCK ON TODD.....
Monday, November 24, 2008
Rundgren Radio: Randy the Rhodie
Show starts 11/25/08 at 8:30pm ET as usual. http://www.rundgrenradio.com/
Randy Brown is currently working as the Keyboard and Computer Tech for Meat Loaf and handling all Backline and Monitors for Todd Rundgren. He has also recently starred in many of Kasim Sulton's "Backstage Pass" youtube.com videos. Most importantly, he is an avid fan of Rundgren Radio :-).
Randy Brown is currently working as the Keyboard and Computer Tech for Meat Loaf and handling all Backline and Monitors for Todd Rundgren. He has also recently starred in many of Kasim Sulton's "Backstage Pass" youtube.com videos. Most importantly, he is an avid fan of Rundgren Radio :-).
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