After returning earlier this year to deliver her highly-praised single 'Numb', Toronto-born but New York-based singer and songwriter Maddie Regent is back once again to share her latest slice of uplifting alt-pop, 'Alright'.
Filled with buoyant pop melodies and her honeyed lyrical inflections, Maddie playfully scolds her adolescent self as she tackles the dizzying array of options laid out in front of her. Mixing diverse and captivating production with her own penetrating vocals, this new offering sets itself up as one of her catchiest releases to date.
So with her latest cut doing the rounds right now, we sat down with her to find out more about her origins and what has inspired her over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
I started playing piano when I was 8! I remember being obsessed with The Little Mermaid and all I wanted was to learn how to play 'Part of Your World'. That’s how I learned how to play and sing at the same time and then kinda went from there!
What has been the most prominent inspiration behind your music so far?
I remember going to a Killers concert a couple years ago and there was this moment where everyone in the crowd just held each other. All those songs meant so much to us growing up and it was like we were all instantly connected because of it. They were playing one of the last songs and it was “When We Were Young” and to hear everyone singing the lyrics was really inspiring. I left thinking how I wanted my music to bring people together like that one day.
What kind of music did you love as a teenager?
Growing up I was obsessed with Nelly Furtado. Her music was so honest and 'Say It Right' is one of my favourite songs of all time. Also, like so many of us, when I first heard Lana Del Rey I lost my mind. What a powerful album that was. I remember being 15 listening to “Summer Time Sadness” in the library and being transported to another world. I felt so powerful listening to her music. Thank you Lana.
Can you remember the first song that made you want to pursue a life in music?
'Love Story' by Taylor Swift. I feel like every girl in my generation wanted to be a singer for a minute because of her and that album! When I found out she wrote that song, and all of her songs for that matter, I started experimenting on my own. Up until then I think I thought being a “singer” was playing a character. I didn’t realize that I could actually, to some extent, control my story and use my own words.
When you wake up in the morning, what kind of music do you like to listen to?
John Mayer! I used his song 'Walter Grace’sSubmarine Test, January 1967' as my alarm for a while. That was kind of a mistake because it went from being my favourite song to giving me anxiety cause it would remind me of waking up at the crack of dawn for school everyday. Now I prefer to listen to his music once I’m a little more awake. His music just makes me feel very calm.
How many of your songs have you written about people in your life?
A couple are about specific people but I’ve kept them kind of vague so they could appear to be about anyone. Often when I write songs that seem to be about someone they are actually about myself. But I’m not scared to be super specific if I am writing a song about a person I know. I’ve just got to put it out at the right time.
What has been the most memorable moment in your career so far?
Whenever I get a DM from someone about my songs it always stays with me. I think cause I’m still so new that it shocks me that someone would actually have a reaction to something I’ve made and then want to tell me about it, you know? This girl sent me a message the other day and was like “I don't know you but your song slaps and definitely passes the vibe check”, and I almost shed a tear cause she didn’t have to send that message but she did and it made my day! It makes me want to work even harder and connect with more people.
Outside of music, what is your biggest passion?
Film! I want to be able to make a visual album so I can combine my two passions together. It will happen!
If you weren’t a musician, what other path do you think you might have taken?
The entertainment industry is so fascinating to me so I think I’d do something on the business side. Especially in music there needs to be more women working behind the scenes and in executive positions.
And what advice would you give to other musicians looking to stay productive through the coronavirus lockdown?
I guess I would say that it’s okay to not be feeling creative right now. Maybe we should look at this as an opportunity to rest and develop our skills. I’m learning more about music production and I’ve actually finished a couple of tracks on my OWN which is exciting. I think had I not been forced to slow down I wouldn’t have given myself the time to really get better at it. We are living through unprecedented times and I think as artists we feel pressure to make art out of everything. I think it’s okay to take a break and grow in other ways as well. Also, during this time it is so important to connect more with the music community. I’ve made tons of new friends and potential collaborators from all over the world during this time. Before, distance would be a barrier but now everything goes!
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Maddie Regent's new single 'Alright' is available to stream and download now. Have a listen to it in the player below.