Teddy Geiger
Life is a Marathon
by Abraham Kuranga
He’s got what every seventeen-year-old boy wants.
What’s that, you say?
It is a legion of adoring fans – who just happen to be teenage girls and some twenty somethings – all with raging hormones.
Yeah, that’s the world of Teddy Geiger. Or at least it is soon to be.
The Rochester, New York native has toured the US with Hilary Duff, firing a first warning to many parents and family members that they will have to open up their pocketbooks for the soon-to-be released album, Underage Thinking. The CD is already causing serious buzz – Billboard magazine and AOL recently named Geiger one of the artists to watch in 2006.
For a teenager, Geiger has his head on straight. He knows exactly what he wants from a foray into music and knows where his place is in the grand scheme of things. “I hope everyone, in the end, thinks I was just a good person,” explains Geiger, “even if the album doesn’t sell a billion records.”
Even if it doesn’t sell a billion records, he’ll have millions of adoring fans after the record hits the streets and his soon-to-be-famous face hits TV screens.
That’s right, Geiger is going primetime!
Not only does Geiger have an album on the horizons, but he’s landed a substantial role on the eagerly awaited new CBS show entitled, Love Monkey, with Tom Cavanaugh from Ed. Don’t hold your breath waiting for an Emmy nomination for Geiger’s role, though. It’s not a great stretch – he’s literally playing himself; a budding artist, just signed to a new label.
Music has always been a constant in Teddy Geiger’s household. His grandparents were music lovers, and his cousin was a guitar player. At an early age – as if he’s not young already – Geiger started playing the piano and guitar. At ten, Geiger penned his first song. That’s when Geiger was shipped off to an all-boy private catholic school. It was at school where Geiger honed his writing, along with his friends.
He soon hooked up with veteran songwriter/producer Billy Mann. Mann’s credits include Ricky Martin, Jessica Simpson, Joss Stone and The Backstreet Boys. This led to an EP called “Step Ladder,” which received acclaim and greased the wheels for his full-length debut.
With Mann’s help, Geiger was able to craft heart tugging ballads and laments reminiscent of early John Mayer. Geiger is well aware of the comparisons that loom on the horizon.
“I get John Mayer all the time,” says Geiger of the comparisons. “It’s okay, though, because that’s how people can relate.”
In writing Underage Thinking, Geiger looked to every aspect of his life for inspiration.
“I definitely felt like I write songs about what’s going on,” says Geiger, “although sometimes it’s slightly exaggerated.”
Songs like “For You I Will (Confidence)” have the potential to be bonafide smash hits. The words “I’m gonna muster every ounce of confidence I have/and cannonball into the water/I’m gonna muster every ounce of confidence I have/for you I will,” are the backbone for this hit song.
Geiger slows it down slightly for “Try Too Hard,” a song about trying to win the affections of a special female.
One song that will become his staple is “Love is a Marathon,” which will be prominently featured on Love Monkey. It is an acoustically beautiful track, allowing Geiger’s smoky voice to excel.
The somewhat title track, “Thinking Underage” is Geiger’s way of saying that he’s not a boy anymore and he’s ready to stop thinking like one. Take it as you wish.
Geiger lists some of his influences as Ben Folds, Weezer, the late Eliot Smith, and the Dave Matthews Band. It is clear that Geiger emulates a little bit of each of the aforementioned artists in his debut.
With a major television debut on the horizon and an even more anticipated album, which by the way, comes out on March 21st, Geiger’s future looks rather promising. He’s not ready to be satisfied yet. “It would be cool to do movies,” says Geiger. “I also want to eventually produce and write with other artists.”
That seems to be the goal for many new artists. For now, Geiger will focus on promoting the show and the release of the album.
“My fans are my primary focus right now,” says Geiger.
There’s plenty of love out there for Geiger among his fans, so no worries, Teddy. You won’t have to try too hard!
(Editor’s note: In the years since we did this interview, Teddy Geiger has come out as a trans woman and identifies as female. This interview is a snapshot from before that transition when Geiger still identified as male.)
Copyright ©2006 PopEntertainment.com. All rights reserved. Posted: January 13, 2006.
Photo Credits:
#1 © 2006. Courtesy of Sony Music. All rights reserved.
#2 © 2006. Courtesy of Sony Music. All rights reserved.
#3 © 2006. Courtesy of Sony Music. All rights reserved.
Comentários