Todd & the Fox

Todd and the Fox is the musical project of Santa Fe songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Todd Eric Lovato, whose work blends songwriting, storytelling, groove and an affection for strange characters and unexpected corners of history.

Lovato is a five-time New Mexico Music Award winner and is known for his work with popular New Mexico bands Felonious Groove Foundation, Fantastic Planet and Skinnyfat. He currently plays bass with Glorieta Pines and Albuquerque-based experimental ska-pop outfit Lumpy. Lovato is also a studio session musician specializing in a wide range of stringed instruments and works as a studio producer, composer and musical consultant. His composition work has extended beyond the stage and recording studio to documentary film and museum installations. He has performed throughout the Southwest and as far away as South Korea, with work spanning funk, rock, folk, electronic music and the harder-to-categorize territory in between.

In 2026, Lovato composed and produced the original musical score for the 102nd annual Burning of Zozobra, creating an extensive collection of original compositions, musical cues and sound design for one of New Mexico’s largest and most enduring cultural events. His work on the score and the process behind creating music for Zozobra were featured in this story about the making of the 2026 soundtrack.

Also in 2026, Lovato introduced Fox Fest to Santa Fe, a family-friendly celebration of live music and activities at Reunity Resources Farm, presented with support from Lensic 360. Fox Fest brings together music, families and community in a festival setting that reflects the playful, inclusive spirit of Todd and the Fox.

Todd and the Fox brings those varied influences into songs that can be playful, dark, funky and cinematic, but are always rooted in storytelling. The catalog wanders through historical trauma and patriotism, the 1847 assassination of Governor Charles Bent, foreign exchange trips gone terribly wrong, red foxes, mental illness and genius, and even anthropomorphic exotic cat dancers. There’s also a collection of children’s songs, because apparently none of this was strange enough already.

At the core of Todd and the Fox are Todd Lovato, Brian Nelson and Bryan Highhill, with an expanding circle of collaborators joining them for different performances. The project is intentionally flexible, taking shape as everything from a solo Todd Lovato set or stripped-down duo to an intimate small ensemble or a larger band for festival stages and bigger shows. Across those different configurations, Todd and the Fox blends traditional instrumentation with electronics, backing tracks, samples and other playful electronic elements, allowing the arrangements to expand or contract while keeping the songs and storytelling at the center.

Todd and the Fox is currently developing new material for its next album.

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Header Photo Credit: Credit: Kenny Barela