The Note's Charlie Blasberg was able to ask Todd Lewis Kramer some questions about his songwriting beginnings, his favorite artists, and what he is working on now.
CB: When and why did you start writing songs? When did you realize that you had a knack for writing great tunes?
TLK: Well, first of all, thanks for implying some of my tunes are "great." I feel like I have a ways to go before getting there, but I appreciate the sentiment! I started writing songs back in high school for, ya know, the same reasons most guys do I suppose - feelings, girls, life, etc. I think I probably thought writing songs would help me get girls at the time, but I was also a pretty shy, introverted kid -- still am really -- so writing songs has kind of always been a way for me to get my thoughts out without, ya know, saying them to people's faces.
I was 19 when I wrote my first song to completion on guitar and vocals, and I played it back for my mom and sister (who admittedly aren't my harshest critics, to be fair). But I could tell they actually thought it sounded like a "real" song at least, and it didn't seem like they were patronizing me, so that kind of propelled me forward with it.
CB: Which artists are you influenced by and listening to now?
TLK: I'm really trying to be better about going back and listening to the old songwriting pioneers, but my influences have always skewed toward the contemporary artists. A few artists that I've had on repeat the past few years are Rayland Baxter, Anderson East and Donovan Woods.
CB: Tell us about some highlights in the "Fairground" record-making process.
TLK: I would say it was two-fold. First, that everyone that plays on the record is a friend of mine. I have a lot of talented friends, and I definitely took advantage of them. They really brought the album to a whole new level, and I'm very grateful for that.
Second, the naming of the album was a real 'aha!' moment for me. This compilation of songs was really a culmination of the first part of my songwriting career, and I had a hard time coming up with a name. I ultimately decided to name it after the street I grew up on, which, at least for me, was really fitting and a great way to honor my hometown, which is where I started writing songs.
CB: You came out with "When the Snow Melts" last year around this time. Are you working on anything new at the moment to release when the snow melts this year?
TLK: Actually, yes, glad you asked. I'm finishing up a couple tracks that should be out this Spring. I suppose I should add that I put out "When the Snow Melts" last year on Valentine's Day, so any lovebirds out there should check it out, since we're just about there!
CB: What hobbies do you have besides writing and playing music?
TLK: Hmm, good question. I suppose I'd say I like playing sports, walking around and exploring Brooklyn (which is where I live), taking pictures and traveling.
Todd Lewis Kramer's Fairground can be found on all streaming platforms and is featured in the February 15 edition of The Note. You can visit him at www.toddlewiskramer.com. Keep an eye out for his new releases this spring.
TLK: Well, first of all, thanks for implying some of my tunes are "great." I feel like I have a ways to go before getting there, but I appreciate the sentiment! I started writing songs back in high school for, ya know, the same reasons most guys do I suppose - feelings, girls, life, etc. I think I probably thought writing songs would help me get girls at the time, but I was also a pretty shy, introverted kid -- still am really -- so writing songs has kind of always been a way for me to get my thoughts out without, ya know, saying them to people's faces.
I was 19 when I wrote my first song to completion on guitar and vocals, and I played it back for my mom and sister (who admittedly aren't my harshest critics, to be fair). But I could tell they actually thought it sounded like a "real" song at least, and it didn't seem like they were patronizing me, so that kind of propelled me forward with it.
CB: Which artists are you influenced by and listening to now?
TLK: I'm really trying to be better about going back and listening to the old songwriting pioneers, but my influences have always skewed toward the contemporary artists. A few artists that I've had on repeat the past few years are Rayland Baxter, Anderson East and Donovan Woods.
CB: Tell us about some highlights in the "Fairground" record-making process.
TLK: I would say it was two-fold. First, that everyone that plays on the record is a friend of mine. I have a lot of talented friends, and I definitely took advantage of them. They really brought the album to a whole new level, and I'm very grateful for that.
Second, the naming of the album was a real 'aha!' moment for me. This compilation of songs was really a culmination of the first part of my songwriting career, and I had a hard time coming up with a name. I ultimately decided to name it after the street I grew up on, which, at least for me, was really fitting and a great way to honor my hometown, which is where I started writing songs.
CB: You came out with "When the Snow Melts" last year around this time. Are you working on anything new at the moment to release when the snow melts this year?
TLK: Actually, yes, glad you asked. I'm finishing up a couple tracks that should be out this Spring. I suppose I should add that I put out "When the Snow Melts" last year on Valentine's Day, so any lovebirds out there should check it out, since we're just about there!
CB: What hobbies do you have besides writing and playing music?
TLK: Hmm, good question. I suppose I'd say I like playing sports, walking around and exploring Brooklyn (which is where I live), taking pictures and traveling.
Todd Lewis Kramer's Fairground can be found on all streaming platforms and is featured in the February 15 edition of The Note. You can visit him at www.toddlewiskramer.com. Keep an eye out for his new releases this spring.
