The Story Behind The Songs
I'm Todd Apfel — a songwriter, producer, and independent artist based out of 1 O*A*K Studios.
My upcoming album chronicles a true story that unfolded within my own family — one of sudden loss, unimaginable grief, and a betrayal that no one saw coming.
When my sister-in-law lost her husband unexpectedly last year, I wrote three songs to honor his life and his legacy as an organ donor: "The Gift," "Coming Home," and "2 Souls, 1 Heart." They were my way of helping her carry the weight of grief.
Then came the kicker.
Six months after his passing, as she prepared to set his gravestone, she finally unlocked his cell phone. What she discovered shattered everything: he had been living a double life. There was another woman. And the devastating twist? That other woman was his brother's wife — her own sister-in-law.
"Betrayed" is the song that emerged from that horrifying moment. It's not a clean story. It's messy, painful, and achingly human. It's about loving someone you can't trust, even after they're gone.
The first three songs were about honoring a life. This one is about the truth that followed.
"She still loves him, but now she has to carry that love alongside this impossible betrayal."
My music is theatrical, piano-driven rock — inspired by the dark grandeur of Savatage, Queensrÿche, and Trans-Siberian Orchestra. I produce and master everything myself at 1 O*A*K Studios, from the first piano note to the final mix.
Welcome to my world. It's complicated, but it's real.
Reviews
IINAG - Wow, this artist (Todd Apfel) and song came out of nowhere, completely off our radar and is an absolute gem.
Plastic Mag - Apfel has somehow pulled off the miraculous by conjuring up the ghost of Paul O’Neil with this tale of betrayal. Once we heard this song, we went back to the 3 previous songs of the upcoming album (“The Gift”, Coming Home, “2 Souls 1 Heart”) and now we’re hooked and can’t wait for the album release.
Beyond The Music
Beyond my own music, I serve as the Executive Director of the International Singer-Songwriters Association (ISSA) — a global community of over 30,000 independent artists. ISSA provides a free platform for songwriters worldwide, hosts an annual awards show in Atlanta, and operates ISSA Radio, a fully licensed station that plays member tracks 24/7.
In addition to my duties above for the ISSA, I serve as the Executive Director of the ISSA Summit, which is a yearly educational conference for ISSA artists that is held the week of the ISSA Awards Show.
I am also the Producer for The Rick Spins Show, on ISSA Radio.
All of these duties within the ISSA has given me a front-row seat to the independent music industry — and it's reinforced my belief that authentic, story-driven music still matters.
