1980: Todd was an only child growing up in a middle class neighborhood of Los Angeles (Venice/Mar Vista). He began his experimental music with some old PBX telephone systems that his father pillaged from the GTE bone yard; in conjunction with a Casio MT-40 synth, a dusted 2 speed reel to reel, and several tape decks (boom boxes) for room multi tracking. Parsing though his folks 78 collection, Todd found some interesting material to manipulate and work with.
1983-89: Many punk bands, including The Runs that ended up on the Farwell to Venice compilation (2005?)
1989: Todd moved up to San Jose, CA. Not knowing a soul, he discovered a college radio station KFJC 89.7 F.M. This ended up being the doorway to new friends, project partners, and fresh new ideas. Coming from the L.A. punk scene/speed metal (circa 83-89), Todd played drums for a few local San Jose bands that never got any official gigs except a few backyard parties. Wanting something new...In 1991 Todd met Gustavo Lanzas. They started a DJ duo know as Team 2000: T2K. They played ambient DJ mixes along side knobs, faders, and analog synths at Raves and other all night parties. After a while the Rave scene dwindled and the duo stopped working together.
Todd continued working, but under the solo act known as saifir.
In 1993 Todd went back to school. It was there were he met Gustavo Pastre (aka Symplx) of Big City Orchestra. The two really hit things off creatively and started to work on experimental/noise together. From circuit bent toys, rewired fx, tape loops, and half broken synths. Todd and Gustavo recorded a whole shoe box full of cassette tapes, including the summer stint on the Pilar of Plastic Radio Access, KZSU 90.1 F.M. Stanford University.
All this time of music/noise projects, from 1992-2002 Todd was a DJ on the side. He didn’t promote his self for gigs. He had a day job. DJ-ing for Todd was kind of a side project and a networking gateway.
In 1998 Todd meets Mark Camp (Astronout). The two worked together around the valley at various companies including Digidesign and Apple Computer. Mark and Todd are known as Saifirnout: A combination of both of their monikers. They have played various venues like the infamous DNA lounge in San Francisco, to private parties up in Grass Valley. They released a single on a Max Music compilation titled Cal Drum and Bass. Mark and Todd are currently working on a studio record. Due to conflicting schedules the record is currently on hold.
During Todd's employment at Digidesign (98-2004) he met Larry Thrasher of Psychic TV, joining his Qawwali group knows as Thrasher Qawwal and Party. Todd and Larry continue their Qawwali-esque projects, mixing ambient/noise elements among other things. The duo are know as Lone Star Mystique: spaghetti western dub cooked up Qawwali style. Stay tuned for up and coming shows.