Getting To Know... Madison Steinbruck

After delighting us with a flurry of warm and enchanting efforts throughout last year, Nashville-based singer-songwriter Madison Steinbruck has now kicked off her 2023 with the release of her eagerly-awaited debut album 'Australia's Lonelier'.

Featuring the previously shared outings 'Bad News', 'Kathryn', and '24', 'Australia's Lonelier' makes for a wonderfully sweet and magical listen. Capturing more of that sweeping country-inspired folk-pop energy she is known for, her first full-length cements her as a glittering name emerging on the scene right now.

So with the new album available to stream now, we sat down with her to find out more about her origins and what has inspired her most over the years.

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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?

I always forget about this, but the first instrument I learned how to play was the Saxophone... and I really did love it. I remember we would sit in the order of skill level and I would get to sit in the front row pretty often, sometimes even 1st or 2nd chair (which was really great). I ended up quitting because I thought it’d be lame to do in junior high. Now I wish I’d stuck with it. I’d love to pick it up again honestly.

What kind of music did you love when you were younger?

My parents had me pretty young and listened to all the classic 90s music while I was growing up. I favoured female artists and remember loving Sheryl Crow and Alanis Morsette. I can vividly see myself sitting in the back seat listening to all the radio played hits from the Goo Goo Dolls, Matchbox Twenty, Donna Lewis. I loved when my parents played that kind of stuff. So I guess the 90s pop/alt stuff.

What was the first album you remember owning?

Honestly I know it wasn’t the first album I owned, but one of the most prominent early memories of owning a CD is when I was probably around 8 or 9. My dad burned me a CD of all these songs he loved. I remember “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” was on it, I wish I still had it. I can't really remember what else was on there, but I loved it.

What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?

That’s tough, but maybe “To Make You Feel My Love”. Bob Dylan is one of my favourite songwriters and I think that this song just sums up the lengths we would go for people we care about. It’s so sweet and beautifully written.

Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?

The only habit I have is recording a voice memo right after so that if I forget how to play it I can go back and listen. Lately I’ve been forcing myself to sit and finish songs, because last year I got into a bad habit of writing when inspiration struck, but stopping as soon as my first few verse ideas were done. Chorus’ are so hard for me. I’m making myself complete songs at the moment even if I have to go back and rewrite.

Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?

I’ve loved them for a while, but the 1975 are my favourite band. They’re my go-to at the moment. I think it might be because even though the lyrics can be sombre or thought provoking, they’re usually backed by this really upbeat instrumentation that never gets old.

If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?

Phoebe Bridgers - I just love her, who doesn’t. The 1975 would be cool, as well as Kacey Musgraves. There are a lot of musicians I admire, so I’d be really happy and proud to open for any of them.

What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?

The most rewarding part for me is being able to take hard feelings and sadness and create something really beautiful. That could then possibly help others in similar situations.

And what is the most frustrating part?

The most frustrating part is having to post on social media. Music is really important to me and it gives me a lot of anxiety to feel like I have to post all the time to stay relevant. I honestly hate it. When I’m able to hire someone to run my socials for me I think I will be a lot less anxious.

And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?

I don’t know if someone said this to me or if I just read it somewhere, but it was something to the effect of “don’t forget to make art for the sake of making it”. I think that sometimes dreams get twisted and I put immense pressure on myself to reach a level of success that I’ve made up in my mind. This can make me forget why I write, which is because I love it, it’s therapy for me and I wouldn’t know where to put my feelings if I didn’t. Sometimes I forget that it’s not about making others understand or hoping they enjoy it. I have to remind myself I do it because how could I not.

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Madison Steinbruck's new album 'Australia's Lonelier' is available to stream now. Listen to it in full via the player below.