Richardine Bartee
Today, Vancouver-based musician, comedian, and drag artist Toddy debuts her latest music video about adoring two girlfriends at one time exclusively through GRUNGECAKE. In our interview, the ‘Wounded’ singer explains why she decided to personify a glam clown—playing a business person and a rockstar in the treatment.
Watch the music video below for ‘2 On the Go’ from Toddy’s forthcoming album, ‘Always’, (out on June 21).
For the Lester Lyons-Hookham direction, Toddy connected with songwriter-producer Louise Burns, who co-wrote much of the record and recorded the bulk of the tracks, before collaborating with producer Kevvy Maher, who has worked with Carly Rae Jepsen, Kat Von D, Hannah Georgas, amongst others, to provide the music’s sparkly sheen. Toddy describes her music as part Glam Rock, part 80s/90s Pop, and entirely her, which is open, honest, in-your-face, and very fun. Above all, Toddy wants to share the history of drag and Glam Rock, and how they are interchangeable. “A big thing that I am passionate about is that drag has existed in opera for centuries. Drag has existed in glam rock for decades. The combination of the platforms is historic and exciting!”
Through our written Q&A, we learn that all of the stereotypes about Opera singers are true, the origins of modern-day Pop chords emerging in the 1600s, how to maneuver in a throuple, her thoughts on cheating, and what to expect from her forthcoming debut album, ‘Always’.
GRUNGECAKE: It’s a pleasure to be in touch with you, Toddy. As many people have told you, your voice is magnificent, and on this platform, we enjoy highlighting voiceless, creative people and people who use their voices well. So, thank you for joining us.
Based on your bio, I think you’ve done well for yourself. Toddy is a hilarious comedian, a stunning drag performer, and the degree-holding Opera singer who won OUT TV’s ‘Call Me Mother’ contest in 2021. Have you taken the time to ingest all that you are? If you have, how does that make you feel?
Toddy: I think artists are like farmers. We are always working. It’s hard to sit back and ingest when you’re constantly onto the next thing. I’m proud of myself, though! I’m a double Taurus, so if I want to do something, there’s very little that will stop me. Every day that I do not have to “go back to school to get a teaching degree” is a win for me.
GRUNGECAKE: What was it like working towards a degree in Opera? Aside from vocal training and learning how to read and write music, what are some other things the average person may not know about pursuing a degree in that style of music?
Toddy: All the stereotypes of Opera singers are true. Sopranos are mean girls, mezzos are lesbians (talking from personal experience lol), tenors have their parent’s credit card, and baritones you always want at your party.
Whether we know it or not, Opera has had such a huge influence on Western Pop music. Fun fact: Early Baroque Opera wrote the script for modern-day Pop music. The way we know song structure and Pop chord progressions came from the 1600s and hasn’t changed that much!
GRUNGECAKE: They say the best comedians come from the bunch that experiences some jarring or jolting shit. Was that the case for you, Toddy? If you aren’t shy, could you share a story with us?
Toddy: Ha! I teach stand-up comedy during the week and what I tell my students is that no one starts standup when they’re “in a really good place in life”. My favourite story to tell onstage right now is about a date that I went on, where I found out at the end of the date that this person had a dead mouse in their pocket the entire time. We went to a church and buried it and I sang, “Will the Circle Be Unbroken?”. Just because I’m going to Hell, doesn’t mean this mouse has to!
GRUNGECAKE: Now that my audience has learned more about you, I’ll ask what inspired ‘2 On The Go’ and the official video. Unfortunately, I’ve never been in a love triangle with two women, but ‘2 On The Go’ is about that life. Dealing with one human at a time is difficult, in my opinion, because we are a lot to handle! We know that in your story, it didn’t work out. What made you think your throuple was the exception? How long was the relationship? How did it end?
Toddy: I love this video so much! The song is so obviously about a love triangle but I wanted the music video to add a different layer to the song. I love when music videos give us a different experience than the auditory one. I feel like I’m always in a love-triangle with my girlfriend and my work and this video is a play on that!
Whenever anyone gets into a throuple they think “but mine will be different and it’ll all be great!”. It was, in fact, not great. I wrote this song crying in the shower. My long-term ex and I eventually broke up. It was a really beautiful breakup. We realised we had outgrown one another and supported one another so much that we were just different people. I’m now very happily partnered with the “other person” from this song and she’s my one and only! My ex and I still have coffee and hang with our cat and we’re both really happy that we found people that work for us! It’s a very sapphic love and loss tale.
GRUNGECAKE: Is it easy to be in a throuple? Or is it better to be a cheater? I’m trying to see which option is better.
Toddy: Cheating would have for sure been the easier option but I unfortunately went with the ethical non-monogamy route where there’s a ton of communication and space held so that all parties feel respected and heard all the time. It was exhausting. Monogamy from here on out for me! I am a tired millennial who just wants a good cuddle.
GRUNGECAKE: Is your costume, or garb in the music video, supposed to emit the familiarity of a clown?
Toddy: Absolutely, it is! Toddy is a glamour clown. So, instead of playing a business person, Toddy is a clown playing a business person. Instead of being a rockstar, Toddy is a clown playing a rockstar. It adds an element of play to everything that you do!
GRUNGECAKE: What can we expect from your forthcoming album, ‘Always’?
Toddy: Firstly, the title track ‘Always’ is next level. The entire album is in one way or another 80s and Glam-inspired. Anything that we could have done at an 8, we did at a 12. There’s also some really great sax! I’m really proud of this album. I think it’s a fab debut into the music world. It’s cheeky and heartfelt and bold. I hope y’all love it as much as I do!
GRUNGECAKE: PS: Your nails in this video are incredible. Did someone in Vancouver do them for you?
Toddy: THANK YOU SO MUCH! I made them myself. I get hyper fixated on silly crafts that turn out fabulously mediocre. Much more to come!
Comments
Loading…