Hi, my name is Todd H. Sims. I am a composer and producer. I play piano, acoustic/electric guitar, bass guitar, synthesizers, trombone and I sing. These days, I would include drum and percussion programming, audio loop manipulation and experimental algorithmic computer composition as well. I also write fiction and do a little acting.

My musical background comes from two distinct areas, and I’d like to think that this contributes to rich, original sounding scores, songs and audio productions.

Music

Area 1: Classical

I studied music at Delta Sate University (Opera Performance Scholarship) and the University of Southern Mississippi.
While working towards my degree in Music Industry (Voice Emphasis), I trained in film, radio, drama, conducting and 20^th century music composition with composer Luigi Zaninelli.

I had singing/acting roles in performances of Gian Carlo Menotti's The Medium (my first opera and I played a mute!), West Side Story, Trouble in Tahiti, and featured solo’s with full orchestra in Benjamin Britten oratorio’s A Ceremony of Carol and Rejoice in the Lamb.

My voice studies focused on the works of Gabriel Faure, Henri Duparc, Donizetti and traditional Italian bel-conto songs.

All this helped get me a gig as a singing waiter at Bravo's Restaurant. Laugh if you must, but I brought the house down everytime I sang “Bring Him Home” from Les Misirables!

Area 2: Modern Rock, Industrial/punk & recording

I have always been involved in rock music and recording. I have had at least a 6-track multi-track tape
deck as far back as 20 years ago.

After I graduated for U.S.M. I moved to Memphis, TN. There I did an internship with a place called
Lunar Productions. Lunar produced commercials, live shows, short films and training videos for national clients.
I learned a good deal about the production side of things and editing as well. It was at this time that I got involved
with the local Memphis rock scene as lead singer or keyboard player in several bands.

I wouldn’t categorize the band’s actual music as post-punk or avant-garde, but our attitude and live
performances definitely were. These sometimes included a life size cardboard cutout of Dolly Parton or hair
extensions in the bass player’s goatee. So, we did not make a great deal of money, but we sure had fun and
I am proud of everything we did artistically. (O.k., the lyrics to “Green Acres” set to the music of
Purple Haze were iffy). Here are the bands (which you have never heard of)

Human Zoo: lead singer, keyboards, guitar

The Love Pumps: a studio only group, consisting of Paul Rowland and myself. We were metal/rap/electronica well
before it’s time.

Backwards Trance: keyboards, guitar and back-up vocals

Obscene Jesters: I was a guest performer with these fine, crazy people several times.

And many others: the Scam, North Country Soap, Slopadeleics, etc.

Areas 1 and 2 Combined:

So in my compositions, you are as likely to hear a few contrapuntal violin themes on top of a cool jazz
drum groove with a heavy industrial bass synth and a banjo background as a you are to hear a blue’s stomp
with all the traditional instrumentation.

And of course this all might be mastered to sound as if it was emanating from a 2-inch AM radio
speaker (if that’s what the scene calls for). Listen some of the samples on the Hear Music page.
Let me know what you think or if I can help you with anything.

Acting / Voice Over

I’ve been involved in acting for quite a long time, my primary experience being musical theater. I am also a big goofball. As a voice major (and at one time an Opera performance major) I had the chance to study about 5 semesters in Improvisational and Acting Exercises, which was always a blast! Improv is defiantly my stronger area, but I’m learning to cold read as well.

Stage

Trouble in Tahiti (Trio)

West Side Story (Baby John)

The Medium (Toby)

Scenes from

South Pacific

Guys and Dolls

Carousel

Les Miserable

Il Trovatore

La Rondine

Manon Lescaut

Film

Rookie Bookie (Rodriquez’s Man)

Service with a Smile (Pimp)

Bad People (Dealer)

Split Decision (Leon)

Voice-Over

PFSweb Training Video (Narrator)

Daisytek International Job Hotline