Nashville-bred folk and country artist Benjamin Tod is heading to Anthology in Rochester this Tuesday, bringing with him two recently released albums that showcase distinctly different sides of his artistry — and a blunt perspective on the state of country music today.Tod joined Finger Lakes Country WFLR to talk about the records and what fans can expect from the upcoming show. It will be his first return to Rochester in years — his last visit was when he performed alongside Devil Makes Three, though he admitted the gap left him uncertain about what had happened to the local venue scene in the interim.His two current releases pull in different directions by design. Vengeance and Grace, a collection of original songs, is what Benjamin describes as the truest representation of himself as a songwriter and folk musician. Country Is Dead, by contrast, is a covers album rooted in honky-tonk — a nod to his upbringing in Nashville and a lifelong love of traditional country.The title of that second record carries a pointed message. Tod argued that when the word "country" gets applied to virtually anything by those in power, it loses all meaning. "If country music can be anything, then country music is nothing," he said. "The only people who are interested in dissolving or changing the definition of country music are people who seek to exploit it." He expressed hope that listeners would support the underground artists working to reclaim the tradition as a folk form rooted in real stories and struggle.Benjamin was equally candid about his personal journey. He has long written openly about addiction and recovery, and said that rather than pulling him back toward darker periods, sharing those stories publicly has reinforced his commitment to sobriety. He credited a fan base drawn to themes of self-discovery and redemption for creating a feedback loop that keeps him grounded.He also touched on his long musical partnership with fiddle player Ashley May, describing their creative dynamic as largely harmonious — he writes all the songs and arrangements, while she brings her own fiddle parts to the table. Disagreements are rare, he said, and usually resolved quickly.Tickets for Tuesday's show at Anthology in Rochester are on sale now. More information on Benjamin Todd, including his music, can be found at benjamintod.com.

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