Todd Clouser is a dynamic guitarist, composer, songwriter, & performer whose genre-defying music blends rock, jazz, blues, spoken word, & improvisation. Originally from Minneapolis, Todd has made Mexico his home, immersing himself in its vibrant creative scene while forging a global presence through relentless touring & prolific output. Hailed by NPR as “a fascinating musician” who “doesn’t belong to any scene & doesn’t want to,” his work is marked by its adventurous spirit & cross-cultural collaboration. As the leader of A Love Electric, a critically acclaimed power trio with bassist Aaron Cruz & drummer Hernan Hecht (later Jorge Servín), Clouser has released 7 albums across labels in the U.S., Mexico, & Europe. The band’s explosive sound—described as “power psych, punk jazz, post-genre, freak rock” (Vive Latino)—has fueled over 1,000 performances across 4 continents, from rock festivals to jazz clubs, alongside luminaries like Medeski, Cyro Baptista, & Billy Martin. Their albums, including *Psychmonde* & *Son of a Hero*, showcase Todd’s ability to channel 1970s rock heroics, avant-garde flourishes, & introspective songcraft into a singular, high-energy experience. His virtuosity as a guitarist extended to his role with Klezmerson, a Yiddish-Mexican klezmer-rock ensemble. Performing compositions by John Zorn, he recorded for Tzadik Records on albums like *Book of Angels: Amon* & *The Book of Beriah*. His work with Klezmerson brought him to prestigious stages, including **The Village Vanguard** in New York City & **Masada Marathons** in Sarajevo & Vienna, where he shared the stage with avant-garde giants like Marc Ribot & Bill Frisell. These experiences, were transformative, deepening his approach to music and collaboration. He has become a cultural ambassador, bridging musical communities through his leadership of Ropeadope Sur, a Mexico City-based imprint of Ropeadope Records. Founded with Hernan Hecht, Ropeadope Sur amplifies independent Latin American artists, with releases like Los Cardencheros de Sapioriz’s a cappella recordings & La Pingo’s Orquesta’s *Midwest/Bajio*. His vision for the label reflects his commitment to fostering creative & economic viability for artists in Mexico and beyond. He also co-edited *Musicians in Mexico City Vol. 1 and 2*, a book project documenting the city’s thriving music scene, further cementing his role as a chronicler of its cultural pulse. Through his nonprofit Music Mission, he channels his passion for community outreach, donating instruments, education materials, workshops, & support to underserved communities in Mexico (Oaxaca, Chiapas, Mexico City, Durango) & Nicaragua. This initiative, alongside his organization of events like the Lakeside Guitar Festival in Minnesota, underscores his belief in music’s power to connect & uplift across borders. Clouser’s extensive discography includes solo projects like Man With No Country & The Mexico City Experiment, a vibrant tribute to his adopted city featuring collaborators like Germán Bringas & Erik Deutsch. His tireless work ethic, shaped by his recovery from addiction, has fueled collaborations with artists from Flea to Keb’ Mo and performances at venues from Japan to Patagonia. Whether shredding fuzzed-out riffs, penning poetic narratives, or advocating for independent artists, Todd Clouser remains a restless innovator, weaving stories & sounds that transcend genre and geography.
Equally comfortable behind a Steinway grand piano, Hammond organ or any number of vintage keyboards, John Medeski is a highly sought after improviser and band leader whose projects range from work with John Zorn, The Word (Robert Randolph, North Mississippi Allstars, Phil Lesh, Don Was, John Scofield, Coheed & Cambria, Susana Baca, Sean Lennon, Marc Ribot, Irma Thomas, Blind Boys of Alabama, Dirty Dozen Brass Band and many more. Classically trained, Medeski grew up in Ft.Lauderdale, FL where as a teenager he played with Jaco Pastorius before heading north to attend the New England Conservatory. He released his first solo piano record, A Different Time, on Sony’s Okeh Records in 2013, and current projects include a new album in the works with his band MadSkillet (Terrence Higgins, Kirk Joseph, Will Bernard), and HUDSON (a collaboration with Jack DeJohnette, John Scofield & Larry Grenadier), plus a documentary on Medeski Martin & Wood.
Jorge Servin is an explosive young drummer from Mexico City, Jorge Servin fuses jazz, rock, and Latin rhythms with fearless precision. A rising voice in international creative music, he’s collaborated with artists across genres & continents. He has been playing in many projects with Todd over the years, but I imagine this one is something he’ll mark down on the wall.
I had the chance to check in with family to the proGram, Todd Clouser ahead of the September 14th event at the North Street Cabaret with his drummer from A Love Electric, Jorge Servin and Keyboard maestro, John Medeski. We get into how he prepares for working with MEDESKI and just when he knows how to add or subtract from the moment as they create in real time. We both are very excited for Jorge as he gets to look over and see MEDESKI as he does his rhythms and grooves. I had to make sure to revisit the recent Lakeside Guitar Festival and find out what were some of the highlights, this always sounds like a great time to be had. Of course I could not let my long running joke with Todd about forming a trio with Him and Medeski and well, Me. I, of course would be playing power tools. I can remember the first time Todd told me he was getting a chance to play with one of his musical heroes and that feeling keeps riding the waves of height to establish more moments of musical outreach. Hope to see you at North Street Cabaret for this one.
