Artist: Tody Castillo
Hometown: Austin, Texas
Song: “What It Means to Be a Man”
Album: Old Rodriguez
Release Date: April 8, 2022
Label: Strolling Bones Records
In Their Words: “This is a song about a person dealing with depression and anxiety without a playbook. It touches on the second-guessing nature of someone who is emotionally damaged. It deals with overcoming fear and uncertainty through bravery. It’s a story about a person hanging onto their dreams with what feels like the weight of the world on their back. ‘What It Means To Be a Man’ is the third tune on the album and I believe it sets the tone for the remaining songs. I love the dreamy soundscape that engineer/mixing engineer Steve Christensen (Steve Earle, Khruangbin, Paul McCartney) creates during the bridge. I was also able to use a 12 string Rickenbacker throughout the tune which ties it all together. Who doesn’t love a 12 string?!” — Tody Castillo
Photo Credit: Justin Cook
