Todd Rundgren, an unsung creative maniac, talks about his influence on artists like Radiohead and Prince. He shares insights into his music creation process, collaborations, and engineering techniques. They discuss his early days with the NAS band, his evolution in the music industry, and his experiences in the jazz scene. They also explore analog vs digital recording, avoiding negative impact, and the unexpected success of one of his songs. Todd's album 'Arena' and his guitar skills are highlighted, along with his work in acapella and production. The episode concludes with gratitude and pandemic woes.
Todd Rundgren's ownership of his own studio allowed him to push boundaries and be creatively free.
Something/Anything? album showcased Rundgren's talent and creativity as a musician, receiving critical acclaim for its innovation.
Rundgren embraced analog recording despite its challenges, appreciating the unique sound and atmosphere it provided.
Todd Rundgren's willingness to push boundaries and defy genre restrictions has gained him recognition as an eclectic and diverse musician.
Deep dives
Creating a Personal Studio for Musical Exploration
Todd Rundgren decided to have his own studio to explore and experiment with music. Having his own studio allowed him to push boundaries and do things that regular studios might not allow, giving him the freedom to be creative and try new things.
The Artistic Risks of Something/Anything?
Something/Anything? was a double album that redefined what could be done with technology and music production. Todd Rundgren took artistic risks, combining various musical ideas and experimenting with sound effects and vocal techniques. This album showcased Rundgren's talent and creativity as a musician, and received critical acclaim for its innovation and originality.
The Challenges of Analog Recording
Todd Rundgren talked about the challenges and limitations of analog recording in the past. He mentioned the process of cleaning heads and rollers, dealing with noise reduction, and the various issues that could occur during a recording session. Despite these challenges, Rundgren embraced the analog recording process and appreciated the unique sound and atmosphere it provided.
Exploring Unorthodox and Diverse Musical Styles
Throughout his career, Todd Rundgren has been known for his eclectic and diverse musical styles. From catchy pop hits like 'I Saw the Light' to more experimental and unconventional tracks, Rundgren's albums show his willingness to push boundaries and defy genre restrictions. His musical exploration and unorthodox approach have gained him recognition and admiration from fans and critics alike.
Todd Rundgren's Journey in Music
This podcast episode features an interview with musician Todd Rundgren, who discusses various aspects of his career. Rundgren talks about his early days as a musician, including the challenges of performing live and developing his singing voice. He also shares insights on his influences, such as Stevie Wonder, and how listening to other singers taught him about breathing techniques. Rundgren also touches on the importance of audience engagement during live performances. Additionally, he discusses his experiences producing albums for other artists like the New York Dolls, and his foray into video production. Overall, this episode provides a comprehensive overview of Todd Rundgren's journey in music and his contributions to the industry.
The Impact of 'Bat Out of Hell'
In this podcast episode, Todd Rundgren talks about the production of 'Bat Out of Hell,' an album he produced for Meat Loaf. He shares how the album came to be and the challenges they faced in finding a label to release it. Rundgren explains that the album was initially met with resistance from other producers due to its unconventional song structures and length. However, once released, it became a massive success, eventually selling millions of copies. Rundgren discusses the enduring impact of 'Bat Out of Hell' and reveals that the album saved Meat Loaf's career. He also sheds light on his role in producing the record and the creative process involved in working with Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman.
The Making of 'Skylarking'
In this podcast episode, Todd Rundgren discusses his work producing the album 'Skylarking' by XTC. Rundgren explains that the album was a significant challenge due to internal conflicts within the band. He recounts the process of recording the album, including the band's initial resistance and his decision to take control of the project. Rundgren discusses the difficulties of working with the band members and their differing opinions on the direction of the album. Despite the challenges, 'Skylarking' was a critical and commercial success, revitalizing XTC's career. Rundgren reflects on the impact of the album and the satisfaction he derived from its success.
Exploring Virtual Talk Shows and 'Todd's Honest Truth'
In this podcast episode, Todd Rundgren discusses his current projects, including virtual talk shows and 'Todd's Honest Truth.' Rundgren explains the concept behind virtual talk shows and the challenges of entertaining audiences in the absence of live performances. He details his plans for hosting live events and incorporating pre-recorded segments to ensure high-quality production. Rundgren also shares his thoughts on virtual tours and the increasing demand for online entertainment. Additionally, he discusses his motivations for starting 'Todd's Honest Truth,' a show where he delves into common yet misunderstood topics. This episode provides insights into Rundgren's current endeavors and his exploration of new forms of entertainment.
In the words of Questlove, Todd Rundgren is " an unsung creative maniac excelling in songwriting, production and engineering, with techniques and ideas that were seeded and planted over 50 years ago of which we are still trying to unfurl to this day. He crawled so artists like Radiohead, Prince, Thunderkat and all stops in between can fly. He pushes the artistic envelope, which is a major understatement. " Listen as Quest and Team Supreme dive into the story of the innovator known as Tood Rundgren.
