Written by Austinist contributor Kris Kovach, a local writer and performer in the always popular Dick Monologues at the Hyde Park Theater. She reads, writes, dances and takes delicious naps in Austin, Texas but hails from Akron, Ohio where Todd is akin to Stevie Ray.

Todd Rundgren is the Costco of Rock'n'Roll. Every genre is represented. You want sweet ballads? '70s love songs so marrow-deep you know them unconsciously like you know Christmas carols? You need man-cock rock tight enough to split your spandex? Some Eastern Intrigue-chakra rockin' prog synth that makes Coheed and Cambria sound like the Jonas Brothers? So much psychedelia you can actually see Fantasia in your mind?

Todd's got it all. He's a total musical Zelig--even doing a spot-on turn as an upgraded Ric Ocasek on the recent, too short-lived New Cars reunion tour. There he was: all new wave, quirky and smart ass, jamming with Elliot Easton on some dual lead guitar so hot it oughta keep Ol' Ric at home playing footsie with Paulina Porizkova for evah.

Todd's music is out there--all over the place, from movie soundtracks, crazy catchy stuff you loved on Pee Wee's Playhouse, to the piped in ballads at your local grocery store. "Can We Still Be Friends?" can blindside you on a vulnerable Saturday at 10 a.m., leaving you zoned-out in the frozen food section, near tears in a reverie over that unrequited thing you almost/never had back in 1987.

Follow the jump for more about Pippi's visit to Todd's estate, and details on what to expect at the show.

But Todd knows. He knows your heart. He has effectively infected you on several fronts, including the many fantastic albums he's produced from Meatloaf to XTC and most especially with the virulent and dreaded amoebic strain of I don't want to work, I just want to bang on de drum all day!

Mr. Rundgren recently celebrated his 60th birthday in true guru style by calling his flock around him for a party at his place in Kauai, Hawaii.

My Costco card for this event came through his wife, Michele Gray Rundgren, singer, comedienne, dancer and all around goddess, who I happened to be corresponding with at the time unrelated to her spouse. I was lucky to be one of about 150 people from as far away as Japan and Scotland who were sent an invite and gathered for the fete. Texas was well represented--I counted at least ten of us.

We were wined and dined (more like martini'd and bikini'd) on his unbelievably peaceful property overlooking the Kilauea stream. Todd took us hiking and kayaking as well as roasting a big old pig for us in his yard. He also personally tended bar every night in one of two Tiki themed huts outdoors.

So yes, I was a Todd fan before all of this and yes, I possibly fall into that scary category of "Rundgren Junkie" who (even for me) dredges up an image of some Chong-esque '70s character who gets lost in mid-sentence, telling you how LSD helped him "work through" his first divorce before wandering back to the drum circle. But no one fitting that description showed up for this eight day and night Rock Hanukkah at Todd's place in Paradise.

Instead, it was a summer camp without bedtimes and no rules about contraband. We drank, sang, smoked, and swam--we even picked camp nicknames. There was no drama, dissent, or dysentery and on the eighth day we were rewarded with the maiden voyage of an outdoor concert, consisting entirely of songs from Todd's forthcoming album, Arena.

Now, I'm not such a fan that I can't be discerning here. True confession: I once left a Todd show at Liberty Lunch in the mid 1990's because I wasn't feeling it (yes I know, I'd go see Michael Bolton blow a Rod Stewart Impersonator at Liberty Lunch now, just to be there, but these were different days) so when I say the new music is good, really good, it ain't the free vodka and tropical heatstroke talking. Arena is big, '70s jukebox rawk with a reverie or two thrown in for the Romantics. Todd is back to wailing on the guitar and he can scissor-kick the snicker right off your face, son. And besides, if we're going to re-live the decade that first brought us high gas prices, a slippery standard of living and questionable pants choices for men, why not do so with a tour guide who remembers?

Don't expect stagnation, though.

An interesting sidebar is the addition of Rachel Haden on bass. This marks the first time in a 40-plus year career that Todd has integrated a female musician into the band. It's nice to see that he chose someone so bad-ass (Rachel's pedigree is noteworthy--you may read how she's Jack Black's sister-in-law and one of the musical Haden Triplets, but you should also know that she is the daughter of Charlie Haden who is considered one of the pre-eminent jazz bassists, having played with Chet Baker and and Ornette Coleman for starters).

Keyboardist Matt Bolton (no relation), the ever-impressive ex-Tubes drummer Prairie Prince, and axe-tastic Jesse Gress will be playing the new music and a few carefully chosen older gems with Todd Rundgren this Saturday night, July 19th, at Antone's. You should be there, I promise you will be authentically rocked!No membership card required.

Todd Rundgren [Official]