If you were a regular in the Live Music Capital during the mid-late-aughts, you may remember the name Tody Castillo. Castillo self-released his eponymous debut in 2004 as well as his sophomore Windhorse in 2009, but he’s since shied away from the studio, at least on the surface. Turns out…that’s no longer the case.
After thirteen years of studio silence, Castillo returns this Friday with Old Rodriguez. With themes of fatherhood and familial lineage, Old Rodriguez is a major mark of maturation for Castillo and on top of that earned wisdom, Tody’s talent is matched by production from Grammy winner Steve Christensen, who’s worked with Robert Ellis, Khruangbin, Steve Earle, and even Paul McCartney. And thanks to the help of his first-ever label (Strolling Bones), Old Rodriguez even includes an option for an autographed colored vinyl. Between Castillo’s captivatingly mellow vocals and infectious acoustic guitar, the ten originals on Old Rodriguez total up to a tranquilly soothing experience. So with Ukranian borders still dominating headlines, take a load off by entering Tody Castillo’s headspace with the idyllic licks and tragic fiction of “Landlocked”.
–Jack Anderson
