Calling Todd Kessler a singer/songwriter simply wouldn’t do him justice. The rising folk-rock star is the consummate storyteller, with a remarkable ability to take listeners on a winding, wonderful, and introspective journey through the depths of the human experience.
Kessler’s critically acclaimed album, About Memory, was released on November 3, 2017. The album found Kessler going back to his roots, producing a timeless folk sound with hints of alt-rock and classic Americana. Recorded in Los Angeles at New Monkey Studio (made famous by Elliot Smith), About Memory was produced by Marc Daniel Nelson (Fleetwood Mac, Colbie Caillat) and Ran Jackson (Katy Perry, Goo Goo Dolls) and mastered by Eric Boulanger. in 2023, Kessler travelled to Ireland to begin work on a new album with producer Hally, Drummer Graham Hopkins (Glen Hansard, The Frames, Swell Season) and Bassist Robbie Malone (David Gray, LIR) due out in 2025.
“When a songwriter can tell a story that is specific to them, yet allows the listener to hear him or herself in it, that’s the pinnacle for me,” shares Kessler.
Born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Kessler graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Music Theory and Composition and shortly after graduating, he released his first LP, We Are the Musicmakers. In 2012, Kessler formed Todd Kessler and The New Folk, and they released their first album, Sea Fever, which was produced by Manny Sanchez (Patrick Stump, Umphrees McGee). The album’s release was supported with a lengthy residency at Schubas Tavern, but as it happened, Kessler missed part of the residency when he was chosen as part of Team Ceelo on NBC’s The Voice.
Building on the exposure from his time on The Voice, Todd Kessler and the New Folk began touring more, playing festivals like Summerfest, Taste of Chicago and Mile of Music. Between 2013 and 2015, the band worked on new material and released two singles: "Exactly Where I Should Be" and "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” But, as members of the New Folk began getting married and having children, life on the road became arduous. Eventually, the New Folk agreed to a break, disbanding indefinitely to spend time with their families.
After Kessler's reemergence as a solo artist with his album About Memory, he began cowriting with other artists as well as creating music for Commercials and Television. From 2018-2024 Kessler released 7 singles and his songs had numerous placements in commercials and television shows. From 2019-2021 Kessler also hosted a monthly Songwriters series at famed venue Hey Nonny in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago.
Influenced by artists like Paul Simon, Glen Hansard and David Gray, Kessler continues to evolve into the bold storyteller he’s always wanted to be. “I like to call myself a realistic optimist,” says Kessler. “I will always tend to see the bright side of things but don’t shy away when things get real.”