Every Sunday evening, Tonic Tavern, 2335 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., showcases a singer / songwriter. The event is free and has featured some of Brew City’s most talented musicians, along with a variety of drink specials that include cheap Bloody Marys and mimosas.

On Sunday, March 28, Milwaukee’s Todd Richards will take the stage from 8 to 10 p.m. with Erik "ebot" Radloff (The Tropics, The Pacers, Salt Creek, Recycled Future and Brazzaville), Jeremy Wood (The Hit Points), Matt Meixner (Five Card Studs, Hudson, Willy Porter Band, Stress Kid) and Erik Gosnell (The Virgins). Lisa Gatewood opens the show.

Richards is a former member of The Tropics, The Tea Trio, The Afro Ensemble, Buffalo, Dr. Science and Recycled Future. He is a musician, producer and teacher.

"In the last few years, I have collaborated with some wonderful artists from overseas like David Arthur Brown and Brazzaville (Barcelona- and Los Angeles based), Anthony Barilla and the Seximals (from Houston and Kosovo)," says Richards.

Most recently, he produced Milwaukee musician Chris Vos' upcoming release under the name "Son of  Roosevelt."

Currently, Richards is working on a new album. He wrote and tracked 50 pieces and plans to narrow down to his top 11 or so. He says the overall themes of the album are individuality, isolation and insulation.

"The upcoming record has sort of a modern and organic sound. I guess I would describe it as 'weird pop rock,'" he says. "It's a record that evolved out years of playing with others and just absorbing experiences. Then I sort of dropped off the radar with the sense that I should and started tracking with no intended goal. It's not real premeditated. I sort of followed what rang true and was interesting or different to me. Lyrically, it's mostly narratives or little vignettes. Some fiction, some fact."

Richards has lived in Bay View for about a decade. He has traveled extensively while on tour, but finds the Milwaukee music scene lush.

"There is certainly no shortage on talent in Milwaukee. Chris Vos, Chris DeMay, Trusty Knife, Celebrated Workingman, Choir Fight, Heidi Spencer, John Burks, Kings Go Forth, Animal Magnets, Brief Candles, Decibully, Rusty P's, Wizard of Cause, John the Savage, and on and on," he says.

"Right now, it's a very prolific time for music here. And I think the stations in Milwaukee and the festivals and listening community have started to recognize this, as well, and make it a little more a priority than recent years. Or have maybe taken more pride in the level of artistry here."