Meet Todd Rutherford | Producer . Songwriter . Multi-Instrumentalist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Todd Rutherford and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Todd, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
My feelings about what success means to me have greatly evolved over time.  In my previous band, Gram Rabbit, which lasted for 15 years, I might have said success was measured by the popularity we were able to achieve. I’m not sure we had another concrete goal beyond creatively pushing boundaries and making the best albums we could. Even within our creativity, and though there was profound depth to many or our songs, I feel like there wasn’t a unified vision to what our message was and what we stood for. We were a tough act for many people to wrap there heads around. And maybe that was the point of Gram Rabbit. It was a fun, experimental, and an “anything goes” period of my life, where I learned so much about the creative process, how to perform, and how the industry works.

After Gram Rabbit, I faced an identity crisis. This band was my life from the age of 24 to the age of 40. It wasn’t easy to see another path. I also started to confront personal traumas from childhood and adulthood that I had been running from and/or ignoring for years. The weight of it all sent me spiraling into a deep depression. I found myself sinking down into depths that I had never experienced. Yet, the greater the trauma, the greater the opportunity for transformation.

One morning, I had a moment of clarity while looking into the bathroom mirror and realized that the self-loathing had to end. I set the goal of becoming the best version of myself possible; I aspired to be in the best physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional shape of my life. My long and difficult journey back began with the help of some truly loving friends, healers and of course my life partner. After putting in a ton of work, for the first time in my life, I felt as though I was becoming my truest self. Nothing happens by mistake. I needed to be lost to find the path again. I needed to shrink before I could grow.

The next step in my healing process was the biggest and most challenging. I returned to my studio and finished a song called “Only A Dream,” the lead single from my upcoming album, Slightly Slower Than the Speed of Life. This song caught the attention of acclaimed filmmaker Gordon J. Clark. It’s a haunting and melodic piece that explores the notion that our deepest freedom lies within the liminal realms of existence. What followed was the beginning of an epic seven-month music film project. During this time, I was pushed beyond what I believed to be my limits—and then pushed even further. Throughout the filming, I returned to the studio to re-record vocals and add new instrumentation, allowing the song and the video to evolve together. All the while, I confronted layers of doubt and insecurity that needed to be shed before launching the next phase of my solo career. Up until now, I had mostly confined myself to supporting roles. Overcoming the odds to finish this film is the proudest accomplishment of my life, and the perseverance it took will have a lasting impact on all my future work.

Which brings me back to what success means to me now. Today, I am driven by purpose, not by the pursuit of success. Ironically, I believe this mindset, will be the most important factor in any future success that awaits me. It will keep everything I do meaningful and authentic. And I wouldn’t be surprised if meaning and authenticity become hot commodities in the times ahead. I only seek to create within my truth- to write and produce music in the hope that others will listen and be inspired to make changes; changes that can raise their vibrations and deepen there connection to the Universe and to each other.

Find and remain in your truth, and all else will fall into place. My brand is love. My brand is compassion. My brand is forgiveness, and healing. Today, I believe the most important factor in my continued success is organically building my brand by making the most authentic music and content possible. To quote a lyric of mine; “We could be the ones, to set the wheels in motion now. We could be the ones, to give these silent emotions sound.”

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I feel like there’s one answer that serves all these question at once. And that is learning to trust your unique vision. I started to have deeply personal and original songs ideas flow into my head at pretty young age but was to shy to pursue them because I couldn’t directly relate them with my favorite bands at the time. I think that was the biggest challenge that I had to overcome. That the personal and deeply revealing ideas were the ones worth pursuing. Trying to imitate my influencers was safe and unsatisfying. And again, moving to Joshua Tree in 2000 was such a big step in my musical evolution. It was like being on another planet. There was zero pressure to sound like anyone else or to fit in with any commercially perceived genre. This was such a pivotal move for me as a writer. And if I were to give advice to an aspiring artist I would share my experience as such. It’s incredibly hard to block out the noise that comes with being an aspiring artist. But the path can lead you to great depths if you stay the course. This is where you will create the art that truly matters and makes a difference.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Insider’s Guide to Joshua Tree: A High Desert Adventure

Living in Joshua Tree for nearly 25 years has given me a deep love for the local spots that make this desert paradise so unique. Here’s a rundown of my must-visit destinations for anyone looking to experience the real Joshua Tree:

Joshua Tree National Park

Full Moon Magic: My first introduction to the high desert was a nighttime adventure in Joshua Tree National Park under a full moon. It’s a must-visit for any first-time visitor, especially during moonlit nights when the park takes on a mystical glow.

Legend of Gram Parsons: As a music lover, the park holds special significance. The legend of Gram Parsons looms large here, adding a unique vibe to any hike or rock scramble.

Pioneertown

Pappy & Harriet’s, the legendary desert music venue, is a favorite. Our band played Halloween shows here for 14 years—unforgettable nights full of desert magic.

Main Ave Stroll: Take a walk down Pioneertown’s Main Ave, where new local businesses are popping up, adding fresh energy to this historic location.

Red Dog Saloon: A stop at The Red Dog Saloon is a must for a bite to eat and a bit of history.

Downtown Joshua Tree Highlights

Joshua Tree Saloon: A classic spot with a laid-back vibe and local flavor. Perfect for a casual meal or a drink.

Art Queen: Explore this eclectic hub of creativity. It’s always worth checking out if there’s an event or pop-up show happening.

La Matadora Art Gallery: This local gallery often hosts fun and quirky openings—definitely worth a peek if you’re in town.

Beauty Bubble Salon and Museum: A one-of-a-kind boutique that doubles as a hair salon and museum. You won’t find anything else like it.

Local Food and Drink Gems

Brewja Elixir: My go-to tea house for good conversation and unique, delicious creations. A perfect spot to unwind.

Sky High Pie: Live music and tasty food make Friday nights here a blast.

Tiny Pony Bar: For a fun night out, Tuesday karaoke at the Tiny Pony Bar is always a hit.

Mas O Menos: A vibrant spot to meet new people, enjoy great drinks, and catch live music. They often host pop-up food vendors, making every visit a unique experience.

Starry Desert Nights

Home Under the Stars: But honestly, I find the biggest treat is hanging at home in the hot tub under a sea of stars. Your almost guaranteed to see a meteor or two fly by. I always get a kick out of seeing friends who are visiting from the city reconnect with the night sky. With all that modern life entails, it’s easy to forget that there’s a vast and infinite Universe above us.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My shout out goes to Gordon J. Clark, Cyrina D. Hadad and to the rest of the cast, crew, and supporters of our music film’. So mush love and effort went into this project and we are forever bonded. May all of your dreams come to fruition!

Website: https://toddrutherfordmusic.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/todd_rutherford/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/toddrutherfordmusic/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ToddRutherford-Music

Other: https://linktr.ee/todd.rutherford

Image Credits
Jonas Yuan
Gordon J. Clark
Lee Celano
Cyrina D. Hadad