Every few weeks we ask one of the Hidden Shoal artists to choose three questions from a list of many and answer them as they wish. A little bit of fun mixed with a little bit of insight – and a nice preview to the full-length interviews we have lined up throughout the year with all the Hidden Shoal artists.

<img class="alignleft  wp-image-9266" src="http://www.hiddenshoal.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Todd_Tobias_1-222x300.jpg" alt="Todd Tobias" width="120" height="162" />Our first three questions are directed at the lovely <a title="Todd Tobias" href="http://www.hiddenshoal.com/project/todd-tobias/">Todd Tobias</a>. Todd is one half of Brother Earth whose brilliant new album <a title="Brother Earth" href="http://www.hiddenshoal.com/project/brother-earth/"><em>Positive Haywires</em></a> has just dropped. His next solo album <em>Impossible Cities</em> comes out on the 28th of October (check out the first single <a title="Todd Tobias" href="http://www.hiddenshoal.com/project/todd-tobias/">here</a>). You may also know him from his collaborations with Robert Pollard (Circus Devils and Pollards solo material) and also as producer of a number of Guided By Voices albums.

So without further ado we ask Todd to reach into the bag and pull out three questions.

<strong>Why make music?</strong>
It begins with self-enchantment. From there, if the artist is fortunate, it becomes a source of enchantment for others.

<strong>If you were writing a soundtrack/score, what director would you most want to work with?</strong>
Jan Svankmajer. He is Czech filmmaker whose movies have a surreal quality, mixing live action with animation. His movies are scary and funny at the same time.

<strong>What's the best show you've ever been to?</strong>
Last summer (2013) I saw the Joffrey Ballet perform to The Rite Of Spring at an outdoor venue here in Ohio called The Blossom Music Center. It was a magical night.