|
| Name |
Todd Woodward |
| City |
Brooklyn |
| Type |
Hip Hop/Rap |
| Style |
Hip Hop/Rap |
| Country |
United States |
| Achievements |
Todd Woodward, founder and front man of the Brooklyn based hip-hop/soul squad Ordinary K, has been immersed in music since he was a kid and he’s loved every second of it. It all began with his lip-synched performances of old-soul classics at family gatherings, which was fun for a while, until he discovered his voice.
At the age of thirteen, he started singing with anyone who could play the guitar, his friends, his big brother’s friends, strangers, their friends, anyone. He loved to sing and he even thought he was pretty good at it. Eventually, it seemed other’s thought the same. In 1992, Marc Friedman (of the Slip) asked Woodward to join his band, Gaylen Groove. The young vocalist was honored to oblige and so, at fifteen, Woodward was in his first gigging band. They played in and around Southeastern Massachusetts for a couple of years until graduation, then it was on to college.
After two semesters, Woodward moved to Boulder, Colorado where he formed Ordinary K, whose sound struck a chord with a mix of music lover’s from jamband to hip-hop fans. In their sophomore year, with help from Don Strausburg, Ordinary K was headlining the legendary Fox Theater, packing five-hundred bouncing bodies into it’s doors. Within five year’s OK had toured nationally, opening for Jimmy Cliff, Rahzel (of the Roots), Blackalicious, Doug E. Fresh, and Soulive, with Woodward, himself, being a guest performer for Ron Miles, the Samples, and Ozomatli.
Being in the middle of the Rocky Mountains made it hard to reach a massive amount of people. Without breaking the bank and going on long tours, OK felt like they were being seen by the same small scene. So, in 2003, with a Budweiser “True Music Live” sponsorship in their back pocket, Ordinary K caravanned to the mecca - New York City.
Immediately upon arrival they received and accepted their first international touring offer. That Spring, they were flown to Negril, Jamaica for three weeks. They played Jimmy Buffett’s Margarittaville for three thousand screaming Spring Breaker’s per night. I guess you could say they had a warm welcome to a potentially unwelcoming city. Along with their initial East Coast success, Ordinary K was part of the 2005 Van’s Warped Tour, and continues to pack rooms in the Northeast such as NYC’s the Knitting Factory, Nectar’s in Vermont, and Boston’s Middle East.
In addition to independently selling over 500 copies of the “Naked EP” (featuring DJ Logic), Ordinary K has sold more than 2,000 copies of their debut album "Sidebyeach,” which has garnished them with radio play, appearances on compilation discs, and movies such as Warren Miller's ski epic "The Storm” and Pedro Carjaval’s documentary “POPaganda: The Life and Crimes of Ron English.”
Although Woodward has worked extremely hard to get Ordinary K to where they're at, not only writing songs, but managing, promoting, and booking the band, it's seems it’s still not enough for him. His debut solo album “Paradise” was self-released to rave reviews in February of this year and along with producer Pat Lee, Woodward has managed to create a beautifully woven, cohesive body of work that captures his portrait like a Kodak.
I think it's safe to say that music is Todd Woodward's livelihood and after all these years he’s earned the right to be considered a seasoned veteran. As put by Woodward himself, “It’s not all been a success, but that’s what makes it feel so good when it is.” And with that being said, when we look and listen to what Todd Woodward has contributed to the world's of music and art, we can only assume he must feel really good.
There is no end in sight for this accomplished rising star, so look out, as he is poised to be a smash sensation with his inspiring song writing and stunning performances. |
| Website |
http://www.woodzart.com |
| Year formed |
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| Active |
Yes |
View Members |
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