Michala Todd’s DARE-ing—and Fun—Music!

Find out what happens when 15-year-old Teen Voices freelance writer, Annie Robinson, interviews Michala Todd, the star behind the E.P. Millions Of Pieces. The girls talk about singing, Todd's sentimental good luck charms, and exciting plans for an album to be released in 2012.  This 18-year-old Toronto native is going places quickly!  In January 2012, Todd was named “New Artist of the Month” for CKXS 99.1 FM with almost 90,000 votes!

Teen Voices (TV): How did you first get into music?

Michala Todd (MT): I have been singing my whole life, but it was not until I was seven that I started lessons. I had a passion and I just kept doing it.

TV: Has music always been an outlet for you?

MT: Definitely. I love being on stage and performing and it is great pouring my emotions into a song (when I am song-writing). I get to express myself and I love that.

TV: How do you categorize your music?

MT: It is definitely pop rock. It has original pop flavor (early Britney Spears) mixed with rock and mainstream modern pop. It is meant to be fun and something you can dance to.

TV: What singers inspire you?

MT: I have a few. I love Adele; she is amazing and I love her story…what she portrays to everyone with regards to body image is awesome. Coming from a song-writing standpoint, it is amazing what she puts together. I also love Katy Perry; she is a lot of fun.  She has relatable music and it is fun to listen to.

TV: How did you come up with the name of your E.P.?

MT: I did not want to choose a song from the E.P. to be the title. It is my first E.P. so why not make it unique? It took a while, because we went through a lot of different titles. Everything that I perform and write about makes up who I am and it is like the millions of pieces of my life.

TV: What is the best part of being a singer?

MT: The people. I love meeting people and I love performing for people.

TV: Before a performance do you have any special rituals or good luck charms?

MT: I got a cross from my grandparents in grade two (I’m Catholic) and I got a pendant that my grandma brought back for me from Rome. I like to keep these in my pocket. My grandpa passed away and he loved music too, so it keeps him with me when I perform.

TV: Do you get nervous before performances?

MT: It has always been natural going on stage. I get a little nervous before I go on, but when I am on stage, I am never nervous—just excited.

TV: What singer/band would you love to open for?

MT: Bruno Mars…I love him! I think our music would sound great together. Or Katy Perry; her music is great too. It would be an amazing experience.

TV: What is your favorite thing that you have ever worn to perform in?

MT: I am a girly-girl and I love shoes, so I always try to incorporate heels into my performances. I also love things that are sparkly! If you put me in a sparkly dress and amazing heels, I am set!

TV: What kind of messages do you want to send to teen girls through your music?

MT: I work with the D.A.R.E (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program. It is taught through elementary y school. One of the officers heard me sing and wanted to get me involved as a D.A.R.E role model. I want to encourage girls to stay on the right path and avoid drugs and alcohol. I go around to a bunch of elementary schools and speak to kids. It is amazing.

TV: What is the message behind your E.P. Millions Of Pieces?

MT: I put out this E.P. when I was in high school and so many people put me down and told me I would never be a singer. I wanted to prove to them and to me that I can do this! I have cowritten five of the six songs on the E.P…It was amazing experience and I wanted to say, “Follow your dreams.”

TV: What is your favorite song on the E.P.?

MT: I really like “Make It Work.” It describes who I am.

TV: What is it like writing your own music?

MT: From a performing standpoint, you can put so much more emotion into it knowing that you wrote the words. You have much more of a connection to the song.  Seeing how a song comes together, working with different people, I just love writing music!

TV: Where is your favorite place to write music?

MT: When I cowrite I am in Nashville, but if I’m alone, I’m usually in my bedroom.

TV: What influences you most when songwriting?

MT: It was my high school years. I was inspired by what people went through and what I went for. As for “The Dare,” that was inspired by the D.A.R.E program.

TV: Are you working on another E.P. or album?

MT: Yes; hopefully it will be an album. Right now we are working on songwriting.

TV: What do you want to be the vibe of the full-length album?

MT: It will be like “Make It Work.” There will be a lot of dance tunes.

TV: What will we see from you in the future?

MT: Hopefully, the album will be released! I want to do more touring and more stuff with D.A.R.E. I am also going to go around to all the radio stations so they can hear my music. I will be busy!

For more information about Michala Todd, visit: www.michalatodd.com.

Read a review by Annie Robinson of Todd’s E.P. Millions Of Pieces.