Album Notes

“Todd spent years on the road traveling the coast lines of Australia, Indonesia, Ecuador and Africa gathering as many experiences and influences as he could along the way. Besides the multi cultural influence in his rhythmic guitar playing some say that they can hear shades of Cat Stevens and Nick Drake in his vocals. Despite the comparisons, Todd Hannigan’s first album is a very original work of its own and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who strays from the
bright lights of the pop music mess.” - Dan Malloy, Professional Surfer/Cinematographer

Todd Hannigan was born in Connecticut, far from the surfing community of which he has become such an integral part. At the age of four, Todd and the rest of his family moved to Ventura, California where Todd still lives today. Todd’s musical influences include Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Elliott Smith, Dire Straits, and Stevie Wonder and says he has been most influenced by Nick Drake “because of his experimentation with tunings and melody.”

Even though he is a well respected surfer, Todd admits that surfing has had more of an influence on his mental state than his music, saying that surfing is a “way to re boot the main frame”. Surfing nonetheless has played a large part in Todd’s career so far. Todd’s music has been included on the soundtracks for movies such as The Moonshine Conspiracy’s four surf films:
• Thicker Than Water (wrote title track strings arranged by Fernado Apodaca)
• Shelter (co-composed the "Britain" and "Kelly Slater" sections)
• September Sessions (engineered, produced and performed with Jack Johnson)
• A Broke Down Melody (Recorded Xocoyotzin and wrote Ireland instrumental version)

In addition, his music is also included in multiple independent film soundtracks, most notably “Majini”, which won a short film and best experimental film award in February 2005 at the NY Independent Film and Video Festival. Todd’s music will also be included in “Surfrider Foundation 20 Years, A Documentary”, and the upcoming Taylor Knox Film. In addition to these soundtracks and music scores, Todd has seven tracks ready to go for a sophomore release “Volume 2”

Travel has also influenced Todd’s music. Todd shared music and songs with musicians he met during his travels around the world and draws inspiration from their lives and culture. One country that Todd has not yet visited is Ireland, although his song “Ireland” from his “Volume I” album, is about his Irish ancestry. “I have never been to Ireland and my father is 100% Irish so I wrote a song about an imaginary journey there sailing through storms and arriving to a full Celtic band playing on the hills.”

Todd has played live with and recorded many musicians, ranging from Jack Johnson and the Malloy brothers who are childhood friends of his, to Tristian Prettyman, Crosby Loggins, Minnie Driver, Joshua Grange, Ted Lennon, Aerto Morea (Miles Davis Percussionist), Fernie Apodaca and Xocoyotzin Moraza among others. Todd is also CEO of Brotheryn Studios, a Studio where he has a partnership with Jesse Siebenberg and Jason Mariani. Located in Ojai, California on the 10,000 acre Haley Ranch, Brotheryn Studios is a place where music can go as deep as it needs to, weather it is a soundtrack or an album.

Todd's live show is an intimate experience and he has recently performed at events such as the US Open of Surfing, X Games, Surf Aid International Benefit, Patagonia Earth Day Festival and Viper Room in Hollyood.

Todd Hannigan’s debut release, “Volume I” is an eclectic collection of songs based on Todd’s travels and experiences, that will elicit an emotional response in the listener.