Chicago's Local Music

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Ain't Got Love

Acclaimed for his hot-wire live performances, Carey has been hailed as a "talented musician with a lot of energy and an established following" ( MTV Online ), to a "star front man (with) solid material," ( Music Connection ). Given such effusive notices, it should come as no surprise that Carey's engrossing, independent sophomore release is a masterpiece of contemporary pop-rock song craft. Produced by Marshall Altman, (Marc Broussard, Zebrahead, Matt Nathanson, Brooke Fraser), and engineered by Niko Bolas (Neil Young, Melissa Etheridge, Warren Zevon, Rachael Yamagata), Watching Waiting stands out like an oasis of emotionalism in a cynical rock 'n' roll wasteland.

Carey's songs would be impressive enough if they were simply wonderfully crafted, radio-ready gems. But there's an actual story behind Watching Waiting 's pop-inflected melodies, bedrock rhythms and introspective lyrics. Back in 2004, Carey found himself at a crossroads. Born and raised in the Chicago area, he had moved to Los Angeles in the late '90s to study music at the prestigious University of Southern California . Before long, he was earning his rock 'n' roll keep as front man for the improvisational LA band, Telepathy. Though Carey's charismatic stage presence helped transform Telepathy into one of southern California 's most successful club acts, the singer-guitarist found himself beset by feelings of restlessness. "It was the live thing," Carey recalls with a laugh, referring to Chicago 's fanatical crowds. "I missed playing shows for f-king crazy audiences."

Resolving to take his life and career into his own hands, Carey bid farewell to the Music Capital of the World, moved back to his suburban Chicago hometown and launched his solo career in earnest. Though Watching Waiting is largely shaped by Carey's recent experiences, the album's themes of restlessness, displacement, homecoming and triumph are universally resonant. "A lot of what this record is about is starting over and longing" Carey explains. "Not necessarily longing in a sad or a happy way, but just a longing for something. So it's a searching record."

For Carey, Watching Waiting is the most recent chapter in an already storied career. The singer's independently produced 2005 debut solo album, "Revolving World," effectively showcased Carey's eclectic songs, wide-ranging guitar skills and performing intensity. Sold through all major on-line distributors, Awarestore, iTunes and select retail outlets, "Revolving World" found Carey working alongside engineer Paul Du Grey (Tracy Chapman, Mike Gordon, Leo Kottke, Los Lobos), and producer Jim Tullio (Los Lonely Boys, The Band, Staple Singers).

Touring heavily in support of the album, Carey performed over 100 shows in clubs, festivals and college campuses, opening for the aristocratic likes of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Jackson Browne, The Black Crowes, Trey Anastasio and Phil Lesh, Jas on Mraz, Marc Broussard, G. Love & Special Sauce and more. Whether fronting his own hard-hitting touring band, or fashioning spontaneous songs from sampled rhythms and other sonic textures during select solo performances, Carey consistently earned new fans with his winning on-stage style.

Towards their goal of capturing that performing magic in the studio, Carey and producer Marshall Altman assembled a crackerjack supporting band for the Watching Waiting sessions, including drummer Aaron Sterling (Liz Phair, Natasha Bedingfield, Ben Taylor), bassist Jonathan Ahrens ( Matt Redman, Josh Kelley) and keyboardist Ben West. Additional guitar textures were supplied by guitarist Michael Chaves (Sarah McLachlan, John Mayer, Rufus Wainwright). By the time their work had concluded, Carey and his accompanists had sired a record that, appropriately enough, combines the rock-steady urgency of a Chicago bar band with the craft-conscious artfulness of a Los Angeles club act. "I feel that I have one foot in each city," Carey says. "Growing up in Chicago gave me the drive to go to LA and try and take it a little bit further. I think that (duality) comes across in my music."

In an era where many pop artists mistake rage and preening self-absorption for profundity, Todd Carey's lyrical insights, engrossing songs and well-tempered performances evoke the classic rock and pop recordings of old, while sporting a decidedly contemporary, guitar-driven edge. an edge honed performing in the bars, clubs and dives of Chicago and Los Angeles.