Toddy, who is perhaps like no other artist, have built a career as a comedian and drag artist, winning the 2021 OutTV’s ‘Call Me Mother’ national Canadian drag contest. But Toddy grew up playing music, eventually studying opera at McGill University in Montreal. Last month Toddy announced they signed with Light Organ Records to release her debut album, Always on June 21, which runs the gamut from glam rock to ‘80s pop to R&B.
Toddy repurposes their operatic/classical education to create a brilliant and engaging collection of tracks on Always, which weaves through a range of high-energy, glammy influences: Kylie Minogue, Christine And The Queens, KISS, David Bowie, Annie Lennox, Lily Allen, and Adele. “So much of art-making is play and channeling childhood joy,” Toddy says of their creative spirit. “I wanted to bring that into the art that I made while tapping into the youthful essence of not being afraid to fail and not being afraid to try new things.”
What inspired the song “Always”? Any real life events behind it?
Me and my producers wanted a dance track so we took inspiration from the greatest party place we know, the drag scene! This track is almost a parody of how people gawk over gorgeous 6’2″ divas.
Did you want anyone in your life in particular to hear this song?
Yes! Ella Lamoureux, a gorgeous drag artist who inspired my favourite line in the song “my daddy hates you, is he jealous or scared?”! She fully approves of this message.
What inspires your sound and act beyond other artists?
I start with my lyrics but I am primarily a vocalist. This allows for epic storytelling and even more epic vocals!
What have you learned from your drag and comedy years?
To have fun. During opera school the entire practice was rigid and about perfection. In drag and comedy, it’s about letting go of perfection. Being in the moment and connecting with your audience. The biggest lesson we can learn as adults is how to fail braveful and sometimes in front of thousands of people!
Why did you want to start doing music as part of your act?
Because my drag came from music! I was technically always a drag artist; if you look at pants roles in opera as drag. Drag and opera are so intertwined that they have always naturally co-existed.
What can we expect from this record? Any themes, threads etc?
This whole album is a mosaic of sounds and styles. Each track is inspired by something different (mostly taken from 80’s inspiration) but the album as a whole works incredibly well together. The opening track “Always” invites the audience into the world of Toddy, and the final track is a sign off thesis of we’ll “Go To Hell” so goodnight!
