Lover of a Third Kind

Tell us about yourself and your music

I do not have one but I did do a press release with you guys so you could look that up. In the first person, I am from a small town in Covington, LA where I write and record all of my music. I am first and foremost a family man that artistically creates part time. My influences were a combination of the live show energy of AC/DC, the defiant attitude of Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder, and the soulful vocals of all the best Motown artists. I like to communicate through something of a combination of those experiences. Lyrically is probably one of the more unique things about me as I write form strong philisophical convictions about the world and in my own style which is usually satirical. Or in simpler words, I only write when I am angry about something or feel emotionally strongly enough to actually put the pen to paper while totally distracted with work and family. It should be noted that I NEVER write for arbitrary reasons. I am not motivated by fame or money either. I do this because I want to do the best with what gifts I have, I want to communicate messages through art, and I want my kids to see that their dad had hobbies and never gave up living.

Talk to us more about your latest release

My latest release is a four song EP: 1. Amen 2. Lover of a Third Kind (title track) 3. Broken Hearts Community 4. After 504

Broken Hearts Community was released as a single on 10/15 and has gotten a really good response. The cool thing about this release is we really have 4 r rock songs with different twists on genre.

What inspired you to write this release?

I had taken a long break from music.  I had taken a long break from art.  I was and am always motivated to create because I enjoy the process, but I was having trouble with different mediums.  If I tried to paint, my kids would climb on my back and I also could not leave my supplies out.  Then one day an old bandmate, Scott Meadows sent me a composition he’d created and I found myself putting lyrics to it in my head.  I figured out a way to record scratch vocals on my laptop and the rest is history.  My kids of course are all over the background of my demos but it turned out to be a doable process.  So for now, I have found an outlet that can be done part time and with a lively home life.  I am also able to write while traveling for work, like in airports and stuff which is a good way to use the time.

Describe the writing and recording process

I start very loosely with vocal melodies that just sound cool over whatever music Scott Meadows sends me.  Then I begin wondering what these songs are about.  I am an avid reader of all kinds of things, usually going through five books at a time, and so I always have topics to describe and stories to tell.  I usually begin tightening the vocals up by simply listening for one of the subjects in my head to start emerging from my rough recordings which at first sound like scatting.

When I like what I have kind of scratched out I go to the studio.

Any plans to release a video?

Any plans to hit the road?

Right now I am just playing locally.

As an indie artist, how do you brand yourself and your music to stand out from the rest of the artists out there?

I think that musically we’ve got what I call a “supernatural should rock.”  The music has a really good twist on alt rock that ventures into dangerous territory but still makes sense.  A lot of it sounds like Motown meets alt rock to me, with a consistent experimental touch.  For example, “Amen” which comes out this Friday, is a rock song with a banjo holding down the rhythm, and yet a soul type vocal.  I always write things that would interest me, and I have never heard anything quite like it when I’m done. Also…

I think the unique parts are the twists on a variety of different genre.  The EP has touches of Southern Rock, Rock Alt, Reggae.  The constants are my weird soul like vocals, and meaningful lyrics.  All my songs are true, some of the truest things I say are through my music.

Who have you been listening to lately?

I’ve appreciated stuff from the Alabama shakes.  They have got really modern twist on southern blues rock and gospel even.  Lyrically I’ve been listening to Father John Misty, I love when singers do not waste words.

Who are your biggest influences?

AC/DC live show is the only reason that I like to perform.  What I saw as a kid when I went to their shows absolutely raised the bar for entertainment.  I found the whole experience kind of like a pro wrestling match… you knew it was planned to some extent but there was a lot of good nervousness about what was about to go down.   Eddie Vedder is my front man.  He exudes an energy and an honesty that is totally inspiring and it’s like I trust him, and I do not know why.

Tell us about your passions

I’m passionate about not being distracted and constantly living with purpose.  I want to know as much as possible about why I’m here and live that out daily.  I love keeping my body, my mind, and my soul in peek condition by waking up early.  I pray, I workout, I read throughout the day, I write throughout the day, all while I do my day job and support my family at the highest level.  None of this lasts long at all so I am just passionate about not wasting time.

What else is happening next in your world?

My immediate goals are to just keep creating and displaying what I do live.  I do want to write a Christmas song once per year which I have never done I’m working on.

Thanks for an awesome interview, Todd Fernandez

Connect with Todd Fernandez

Website: https://www.toddfernandez.orgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/myfriendbullInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetoddfernandez/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmMRGydjo_1IVPAwngVq_FQ?view_as=subscriberSoundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/todd-fernandez-997905969