Todd Warner Moore – Birdsong (Feat. Michael Kentish) [Exclusive Interview]

Todd Warner Moore goes for a spellbinding sort of classical folk with the spirited “Birdsong (Feat. Michael Kentish)”. Guitar work has an uncanny grace to it while it unfurls with such care. By far the highlight comes from Todd Warner Moore’s clever poetic lyricism. Everything stems from this one singular vision lending it a pastoral beauty. Slowly but surely Todd Warner Moore lets the whole of the work simply evolve in a gradual way, allowing for every single detail to truly shine. Within these gestures Todd Warner Moore crafts an entire universe of sound one that feels so vibrant and alive.

A simple guitar introduces the piece. From this the song comes into bloom with such patience. Todd Warner Moore’s voice has a reassuring tenor to it while it starts off with a hushed presence. Strings sweep about while they flow through with an uncanny sense of space. Nearly cinematic the song’s emotional heft builds up, with Michael Kentish’s backing vocals adding a sense of hope into the piece, lending it a communal quality. Ebbing and flowing carefully Todd Warner Moore ensures that the whole of the work has a stately presence. For the final stretch of the work Todd Warner Moore lets loose, letting everything come to a fantastic, well-earned crescendo before it softly drifts up into the air.

Sounding akin to a long-lost classic, Todd Warner Moore creates a brilliant colorful composition with the tender tones of “Birdsong (Feat. Michael Kentish)”.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?

I am originally from Overland Park, Kansas. I went to Shawnee Mission West and was always involved in various types of acting. Lots of famous people came from my school. There was a limitless well of talent, back then. My first year of college, I began to write songs and have been doing so ever since. When I immerse myself in creativity, I’m less affected by everyday mundane and/or stressful events.

Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?

Just play as much as possible and find your voice. So many times, you will hear a band or artist that sounds like a replica of a famous person or group. It’s important to try out new sounds and take risks, by opening yourself up to emotional vulnerability. This sense of fearless openness is what defines true art.

Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?

Of course, but music is a magic act, anyway. You are creating an illusion fuelled by your confidence. Many times, the audience does not know that you have messed up, and these “mistakes” can take you to a new side of a song. I’ve hit the “wrong” chord and then ended up changing the song around this new sound.

Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?

I’m in Hong Kong, now. It’s not easy to tour, but I’ve done a lot of touring in my time. I’d love to play a show in Japan or Thailand.

Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?

I’m happy with what I have. I use an AKG C414 microphone that is grand and gold but recently purchased a Warm73 Preamp. It creates a gorgeous, analogue blanket that makes guitars and vocals shimmer.

Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?

So much of promotion is online, but I still love it when I play for a small audience of people who are fascinated with my work. Those intimate human moments are immeasurable. That’s the richest sense of promotion.

Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?

I would have loved to have jammed with Jerry Garcia. I’m nowhere as talented as he was, and only saw the Grateful Dead a few times, but he and his band were, at times, so plugged into the endless fountain of spontaneous creation, it was stunning. Also they were more than willing to selflessly share those treasures with their audience.

Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?

I’m already working on another album. It sounds incredible in my mind, but the execution is another thing! I think that sculpting your pieces with musicians who are far beyond your abilities is the key to pushing the envelope of your musical growth. I feel that at this point in my life, I am creating the most insightful songs I have ever written, but that’s my biased opinion!

Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?

I would be teaching, which is what I do. My students are my purest fans. The fact that they adore my music is unbelievable. Still, they are the future, so this is the highest award I could ever receive. Adults often tell me how they “haven’t found the time to listen to the album yet.” Kids make the time and create the space.

Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in the next year or so?

Hopefully, I can create beautiful music with themes that listeners might happen to see in their own lives.

Exposed Vocals: Any Shout-outs?

I’ve been in a cocoon, lately, working on my own tunes. I’m not aware of the green, green wood in music. When you hear something that feels right, though, it’s unmissable.