Alt-folk artist Todd Kessler finds himself through song

Calling Todd Kessler just a singer/songwriter doesn’t quite capture it. He’s more like a storyteller with a guitar, someone who can make you feel every twist and turn of the human experience through melody and lyric.

Back in 2017, Kessler released About Memory, an album that saw him returning to his roots. It’s got that warm, timeless folk sound, a little bit of alt-rock, a touch of Americana, the kind of record that feels both nostalgic and fresh. You can hear influences from legends like Paul Simon, Glen Hansard, and David Gray, but it’s also unmistakably Todd. He describes himself as a realistic optimist, which feels like the perfect tagline for his music: always hopeful, but never afraid to face what’s real.

Fast forward to today, and Kessler’s latest release, Lost or Found, is proof that he’s still evolving. The track blends acoustic guitar with smooth, clean-toned electric layers, and even throws in a brass section that gives it an unexpected lift. It’s got one of those choruses that’ll stick in your head for days.

The idea for Lost or Found came during the pandemic, when Kessler, like so many artists, found himself wrestling with some big questions: Who am I if I can’t do what I love? What does it mean to be a musician when there’s no stage to play on? Those thoughts eventually shaped the story of a musician who returns to their childhood home after years away. While the character isn’t directly Todd, you can feel his years of touring, performing, and searching for meaning woven into every line.

At its heart, Lost or Found is a reminder to stay true to yourself, to move toward who you are, not away from it. As Kessler puts it:

No matter where you are in life, never lose track of what makes you you.

It’s honest. It’s hopeful. It’s Todd Kessler, the storyteller who keeps finding new ways to help us all find ourselves too.

The single, Lost Or Found, is available through all streaming platforms.

Photo Credit: Todd Kessler