WHO NEEDS X FACTOR?
As a schoolgirl, Simon Cowell’s show was of little interest to Todi. Having spent the next decade writing songs, she has just released the first of them
THE X Factor is back on TV at the moment with a new string of wannabes hoping they’ll be as big a star as Olly Murs or the members of One Direction.
But one Scots singersongwriter isn’t following the herd and the disappointment that befalls most, even winners, following a short stint in the limelight after which they are dropped by Simon Cowell’s label.
Todi, 21, from Barrhead, Renfrewshire, has just released her debut single, Another Love, on a new label by Alex Balkin, a former publisher of Paul Weller and Blue Nile’s music.
She said: “I think shows like The X Factor can be a great platform for people.
“But for me, even though the music industry can be competitive, I’m not looking to be in competition with anyone as every artist is different.
“My goal is to inspire others and simply enjoy my musical journey... hopefully others will too.”
Todi, real name Victoria Calder, wrote her first song Lemonade aged just 11 and still plays it live occasionally.
She has written more than 100 songs over the last decade and is in the middle of putting some of them on to her debut album.
Her first gig was aged 15 at St Andrew’s in the Square in BY RICK FULTON Glasgow and with the blessing of her parents she left school aged 16, biding her time by gigging until Alex heard her and started his own record label, Red Fin Recordings, to launch her career.
As well as recording her debut album, she is also preparing to go to the US and Japan next year on tour.
“I’ve never been to the USA or Japan before,” she said.
“I’m really excited to visit there and appreciate the opportunity to perform there. I can’t wait.”
Her early success has been down to her hard work as well as the support of her dad David, who is her manager. Todi said: “It means the world to me that my dad manages me. “He has always supported me – organising gigs, getting radio interviews and promoting me everywhere he goes. He’s the best. “He was my first influence. He encouraged me to pick up a guitar and taught me how to play at a young age. “I grew up listening to all music, from rock ’n’ roll to classical. “I left school at 16 to train as a nursery teacher while gigging at night and of course continuing to write songs but my passion has always been music and my dream was to do it full-time. “With my family’s support I have been able to dedicate myself to my music full-time for several years now.
“My mum is a great support. She is excited about what’s happening in my career just now. She’s part of Team Todi.”
The name, she explained, came when she was a toddler and just beginning to talk.
She said: “I couldn’t quite say Victoria and it would always come out ‘Todi’. It’s been my name ever since.”
Her debut single is one of the best we’ve heard from a Scottish artist. It has the same upbeat sound as Duffy’s debut album with elements of 60s pop.
Todi said: “It’s one of my favourite songs. I sing it at all of my gigs and people always seem to enjoy it. I’ve also recorded a slow version and a remix of Another Love.”
She wants to follow Paolo Nutini’s path of trying different styles of music and not following one genre.
She said: “I have written many different styles of songs. I think it’s important as an artist to just be yourself.
“My album will be a mixture of ballads and more upbeat songs.”