Michala Todd

Artist Information

Biography

Management/Booking:
Don Somerville
crystalteardrop@shaw.ca

Publicity:
Paula Danylevich
Hype Music
gr8pr@aol.com

With a fiercely assured sense-of-self and a barrage of infectious hook laden pop songs, 18-year old Toronto native Michala Todd has emerged to hit pop music with a kind of hunger and resilient optimism that can only reside in the hearts of youth.

Her debut EP “Millions of Pieces,” (produced by Michael Lee & Don Somerville and released in Canada via Fontana North/Universal Music) is a boisterous and fearless record littered with expansive pop hooks and the kind of electric dance rhythms that’ll get inside your bones.

With a voice so completely fueled by her inherent lust for life, Michala delivers a versatile sound that moves swiftly from high-energy dance to pop-rock and right through to spirited power ballads. While she has been honing her vocal abilities as a cross genre artist since the ripe old age of seven, Michala has always known her heart to be wrapped up in pop music.

“I’ve been fortunate because while I started out singing blues, jazz, and country music – which were all great stepping stones toward making me a well-rounded artist – I’ve always known that I can connect with pop.”

Written and recorded in Nashville, Tennessee – “Millions of Pieces” was inspired in part by Michala’s fly on the wall perspective towards the high-school experiences of those who grew up around her, but more prominently by her own positive outlook on life and desire to achieve her dreams.

“Because I was in high-school at the time this record was written, some of it was about pulling from what I saw around me. But, being a young musician, my personal focus is on writing songs that reflect relatable positive life experiences. I sing about really being true to yourself and reaching your dreams because that’s what I hope to achieve.”

Alongside her budding music career, Michala brings her inspired drive for life to the wide array of charity work she does at home in Canada. Working prominently with D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education), Michala has been invited to perform at numerous organized charity events across North America. “My work with the D.A.R.E. organization is something I hold very close to my heart, and it is also what inspired the song “The Dare” on my current EP. They have given me so many great opportunities to perform and that helped me get my start in music. I think it’s really important to give back where you can because it has taken a great many people to get me to where I am today.”

Completely in tune with the wants and needs of her growing fan base, Michala strives to welcome her fans into every aspect of her musical journey. “When people hear my music, I want them to feel compelled to get up and dance, but I also want them to feel as if their lives are being reflected through my songs. I value the feedback and opinions of my fans because they are ultimately the ones who make it possible for me to continue to do what I love. I want my fans to be a part of my team, so that when they put on my album or come out to a show, we are working together to create an incredible experience.”

Having already released her first single “House of Glass” – a potent power-pop song about being wronged by the boy who you thought was right – Michala’s contagious melodies, genuine emotive lyrics, and elevating choruses, capture the essence of what it is to be a young woman in search of love, life, and herself.

The album’s second single “Make It Work” is an energetic and driving dance-pop song with definite Top-40 potential. Highly reflective of her personality, the song is about going with the flow, and not getting too caught up in the opinions of those around you. “Everyone has had one of those days where everything goes wrong and nothing seems to make sense, but you have to carry on doing what moves you – in the best way you can – and somehow find a way to make it work.”

“Millions of Pieces” displays the markings of a fresh and promising young songstress who has only just begun to scratch the surface of her talent. Overflowing with infectious pop hooks, electric dance rhythms, and driving pop-rock guitars, this record is a testament to the upbeat and optimistic nature at the heart of Michala Todd.

Reflected best in her live performance – be that along side her 5-piece backing band, or in the quiet calm, accompanied by an acoustic guitar – Michala is found in pop music. “I want my performances to feel alive, no matter how many people are in the room. When fans come out to see a live show, my goal is always to have them leave the room completely wowed.”

Unafraid to press forward and to tackle the unknown, Michala brings a sense of assurance to her songs that say she knows just who she wants to be. “I sing about positive things,” she notes. “Some artists tend to get into the negative side of the industry and find themselves in more trouble than they bargained for. I always try to see the brighter side of life, and I believe my music is a reflection of that positive attitude. I am what I sing,” says Michala.

“That’s just me”.

Instrumentation

Michala Todd, Lead Vocals, Singer/Songwriter
Michala Todd & Band is a 5 piece band, including a guitarist, bassist, keyboard player and drummer.

Discography

Single "Make It Work" - Canada Radio Release - October 11th, 2011

Single "Make It Work" - US Radio Release - August 10th, 2011

Single "Make It Work" - International Radio Release - September 23rd, 2011

Single "House of Glass" - Canada Radio Release - February 14th, 2011. Available on iTunes

EP Millions of Pieces - Released March 29th, 2011. Available in Stores across Canada, from www.michalatodd.com, iTunes

Links

• MySpace
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Michala Todd Official Forums
• YouTube
• Our Stage
• Reverbnation
• iTunes

Audio

• Michala Todd - Make It Work
  Listen  
• Michala Todd - To Say You're Sorry
  Listen  
• Michala Todd - House of Glass
  Listen  
• Michala Todd - In Between
  Listen  
• Michala Todd - Invisible
  Listen  
• Michala Todd - The Dare
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Make It Work
• To Say You're Sorry
• House of Glass
• In Between
• Invisible
• The Dare

Video

Make It Work Music Video

Make It Work (Nashville Showcase)

Photo Gallery

Press

• Michala Todd
  

  She's young, she's blonde and she's a powerful presence on stage.

• XS New Artist of the Month – MICHALA TODD [+ Show ]
  

  Congrats to our latest XS New Artis of the Month – Toronto, Ontario’s MICHALA TODD! We had an overw...Congrats to our latest XS New Artis of the Month – Toronto, Ontario’s MICHALA TODD!
  We had an overwhelming about of support for many artists this month, totalling just under 214, 000 votes. Michala led all vote-getters with just under 90, 000 votes.

• Youth Not Wasted: Songwriter Inspires Her Peers [+ Show ]
  

  December 8, 2011 by Lily C. Many people complain about the youth of today. They are often descri...December 8, 2011 by Lily C.
  
  Many people complain about the youth of today. They are often described as having a sense of entitlement that can lead to disappointment when they get to the real world. How refreshing it is to see what S.A.C. Member Michala Todd is doing in her teenage years.

• Michala Todd Reveals her Identity in Millions of Pieces [+ Show ]
  

  Along with the release of her debut record Millions Of Pieces, Toronto’s Michala Todd has recently g...Along with the release of her debut record Millions Of Pieces, Toronto’s Michala Todd has recently graduated from high school and celebrated her 18th birthday. Performing since the age of seven, Todd’s music is inspired by the high-school experience. Todd’s talents don’t end at singing - she also co-wrote a number of songs on her debut album and is currently honing her skills on the guitar. In a recent phone interview, I got the chance to talk to Michala about the recent success of her debut EP, how she deals with life in the spotlight and her work with the D.A.R.E. (drug abuse resistance education) program.
  
  Full online interview:
  http://www.youthink.ca/yt/music/interviews/Michala-Todd-Millions-of-Pieces

• Michala Todd made singing dream work [+ Show ]
  

  MICHALA TODD HITS THE PAPERS IN A BIG WAY ACROSS CANADA!!! Canwest owned newspapers have done up ...MICHALA TODD HITS THE PAPERS IN A BIG WAY ACROSS CANADA!!!
  
  Canwest owned newspapers have done up a feature on Michala, serving as a national introduction to the entertainment world of this fine nation.
  
  Read all about it here, and get your FREE download of the hit single Make it Work!!

• The MusicNerd Chronicles [+ Show ]
  

  Michala Todd stays true to herself with debut effort. http://musicnerd.ca/2011/10/michala-todd-st...Michala Todd stays true to herself with debut effort.
  
  http://musicnerd.ca/2011/10/michala-todd-stays-true-to-herself-with-debut-effort

• Michala Todd - Onesheet
  

  September, 2011

• Can You Showcase When It Counts? [+ Show ]
  

  Occasionally I get to see it…the finale…the end result…the ‘frosted cake’ if you will. But not very ...Occasionally I get to see it…the finale…the end result…the ‘frosted cake’ if you will. But not very often.
  Most times I work for days with an artist on their set for an upcoming event or showcase; but typically I’m not able to be there for the ‘big event’ because it’s in another city or I’m working with someone else.
  
  When I am able to see a performance soon after our sessions, it can be a little frustrating…mostly because the artist hasn’t had enough rehearsal time to get comfortable with what we worked on.
  
  I can see progress with every artist, but there’s always still work to be done and time needed to really get comfortable with all the changes I make in our sessions.
  
  Well, I have to tell you, recently one artist blew my mind. Seventeen-year-old Canadian, Michala Todd. She was doing pretty well in rehearsals (we only had a day and a half to work), but I wasn’t sure she had everything down. There were still things I would have liked to work on and perfect, but I thought she would be able to deliver a pretty good showcase.
  
  What I wasn’t prepared for was to be blown away! It was as if someone flipped her ‘ON’ switch and Michala sailed through that 40 minute set with unbelievable confidence and authority. She told me she doesn’t get nervous in front of an audience, and that was evident! Even when she spoke to the audience, she sounded mature beyond her years and comfortable with the platform.
  
  Her producers and I were exchanging ‘OMG!’ looks and I was beaming with pride. I hadn’t seen this girl in rehearsals! (Typically when someone says “I’ll bring it when there’s an audience,” I don’t believe them because there’s not much difference between the two performances.)
  
  Well, Michala remembered everything we worked on, took it seriously, and gave a great pop performance when it really counted – in front of some heavy-hitter industry types. One label head told her producer before the show that he would only be able to stay for ‘a couple of songs,’ but then stayed for the entire set! Sounds like they’ll be taking a meeting.
  
  Now, I’m not saying she doesn’t still have things to work on, because she does. Those of you already learning this stuff know that it’s a process and not an overnight ‘fix.’ For most of you, it will take a series of gigs and rehearsals after our sessions to really integrate these principles, and gain the confidence it takes to deliver a performance like that.
  
  Michala happens to be a fast learner, and her laid-back personality and comfort level with the stage was what put her several steps ahead of others who are still struggling with self-confidence issues. She had also worked last year with Kevin Pauls, our Live Music Producer in Toronto, so she was well prepared coming into the sessions!
  
  Credits:
  Written by: Amy Wolter

Setlist

30 minute - 120 minute set.

Michala Todd Set List

Originals:
Make It Work
Invisible
The Dare
To Say You're Sorry
House of Glass
In-Between

Covers:
An assortment of pop/rock and top charting covers.

Basic Requirements

Calendar