Madi Marrs for The Meadow
interviewer: Sara Sharif (@sarangelic)
interviewee: Madi Marrs (@madimarrs)
Diving deeper into her own personal experiences through life, Marrs is ready
to show the world there is a light at the end of the tunnel. No matter how long that tunnel may seem!
After releasing her debut single ‘Keep Movin’ On’ earlier this year, Madi is coming back into the light with her newest and most chilling single to date.
‘Row My Dear’ was originally born out a desire to show the people around her that they are never alone; but morphed into a kind of self-reflection of past experiences and a loss of identity and security. It shows the darkness of doubt and isolation, yet the hope of friendship and love. It is a storm of emotion, a warning to her past and future self.
Madi shares a fear...
"I have an irrational fear of cockroaches, I can’t stand them (it’s the eyes!) and clowns. They creep me out! Even the clown off Toy Story 3. I just can’t do it haha."
* in relevance to our issue #2 FEAR
t h e i n t e r v i e w
1. Please start with a little introduction about yourself!
My name is Madi, and I am a singer/songwriter from Sydney, Australia.
I am a musician, book enthusiast, coffee addict, writer, dancer, food lover and red curly haired introvert who is always fascinated with learning new, sometimes odd, skills. At the moment that is Spanish. Next month who knows!
2. What genre would you say your music belongs to?
That is something that I have struggled with ever since I started writing music. I don't think any artist belongs to any one genre, but for me I write what I feel in the moment. So sometimes that means I write a jazz or blues song, sometimes a folk inspired song, sometimes a music theatre or gospel kinda song. It depends on what I feel best supports and enhances the lyrics, and what genre I have been listening to and vibing at the time. So, in a way I think my music belongs to various genres really; indie, folk, blues, gospel. I want people to be surprised and excited about the music I create. Being put into one box was never really my style anyway!
3. When did you decide you wanted to be a musician?
Well, I grew up listening to and loving music of all different style and genres. Everything from David Bowie to Frank Sinatra to Rodger and Hammerstein. I think my journey as a musician didn't start till later on though. After finishing my degree in music, I discovered a love for writing and performing my own music. I felt I had something to say, something that wasn't written for me but from me. Music can be so powerful, and I feel like when you discover that it is hard to ignore it.
4. How has your journey been so far?
It has been challenging, exciting, fulfilling and a huge learning curve, but I have loved every second. Sharing music with people is something I have always wanted to do, and now I feel like I have finally started to find the path I want to be on. It has brought so many amazing people into my life, even just in the past year, and allowed me to express myself in the best way I know how. Through words and music. Music is a gift and I feel so grateful that I can use it to reach out to people, to give them hope and joy through my songs.
5. What is your creative process?
I feel like it constantly changes, depending on where I am or what I am feeling at the time. Sometimes I just start singing a song and the lyrics and melody come at the same time. Other times I hum a melody, record it on my phone, then revisit it when I have some lyrics that fit. I tend to write down lyrics in my phone a lot, sort of like poems, and sometimes they become songs sometimes they don’t. Everyone has their own way of discovering who they are, I feel like when I write songs that is my way of figuring out who I am.
6. Who is your musical inspiration?
Where to begin! Music has been a constant in my life since I was little, so I have been inspired by so many different artists. From Julia Andrews, to Ella Fitzgerald, to Lady Gaga. I feel like over time my music inspirations have changed as I have grown as an artist and a writer, but I am constantly inspired by artists who use their music to spread love and joy and show how beautiful music can be at bringing people together. At the moment I am most inspired by Katie Noonan (an amazing Aussie artist), Lauren Diagle and one of my all-time music inspirations, Regina Spektor. They are all such strong beautiful women, who are doing what they love, and I admire that!
7. Your latest song, “Row My Dear”, is so beautiful and I absolutely love it! Tell us what this song
means to you.
Thank you! I am so glad you liked it! It is one of my favourite songs out of all the songs I have written so far. The song was originally born out of a desire to show the people around me that they are never alone; but morphed into a kind of self-reflection of past experiences and a loss of identity and security. It shows the darkness of doubt and isolation, yet the hope of friendship and love. It is a storm of emotion, a warning, but also a lifeline, to one's past and future self. I dove really deep into past hurts and struggles to write this. It gives me hope for the future, while also keeping me accountable for how deep I get lost inside myself. Which happens sometimes, for everyone I think.
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8. Do share more about the making of the song and the BTS! How was it different from your
experience from during your debut, “Keep Movin’ On”?
It took me quite a while to find the perfect lyrics for ‘Row My Dear’, unlike ‘Keep Movin On’ which I had written a few years ago as a poem, so it took longer to find the sound I wanted for the song this time around. But I connected with some amazing musicians, Kayla and Natalie (the guitarist and cellist on the track) and was able to finally find the sound I was hearing in my head. From there the pieces kind of fell into place.
When I recorded my first single, I was very new to the world of music recording and becoming an actual artist, so I was learning a lot of things from the ground up. With this song I feel like I knew what I wanted as soon as I got into the studio and we spent quite a few hours getting in exactly write. On the first day I was at the studio till 11pm! I have always been a bit experimental with my songs as we record them as well. So, me and the band, and the producer/sound engineer I work with Daniel, had a bit of fun playing around with the instrumentation and harmonies for this track. I was also a bit more confident with the whole process because I had done it before as well, which gave me the freedom to be creative as we went along. We had a lot of fun with both my songs, but this one means more to me in terms of its message, so I wanted to really get it right. No matter how long that took haha.
9. What message do you wish to convey through your music?
I want to bring people joy, hope, a sense that they are never alone. Music has the power to bring people together, inspire and challenge peoples' way of thinking and resonate with issues that perhaps not everyone has the courage or strength to face on their own. I think music can bring light into even the darkest of places. That is why I write music, to shine a light when there is none.
10. Any tips for our musicians out here who are probably in the process of making a song right now?
Don’t be afraid to ask for help and it is ok to be experimental and creative as you go along. I have learned so much from the people I have surrounded myself with since I started writing and recording. It can be hard to find someone who understands the music you want to create, but all need to do is reach out. Even if it is just to a bunch of friends who want to support and encourage you. I would not be where I am as a musician if it wasn’t for the people who have helped me get here. Being a solo artist doesn’t mean you have to do it all solo. Also, think about why you want to share your music, and don’t be afraid to step out and be confident in what you have created. Music can be very powerful. Above everything though, have fun. Be a bit crazy! No idea is crazy until you have a least tried it once. Besides, some of best ideas are seemingly crazy ones.
11. Is there anything you would like to add about the current stresses all around world?
Isolation and the unknown can be really scary, especially because we don’t know what will happen. It can be scary. So, if there has ever been a time to spread love and joy and connect with people, it’s now. I think we all just have to be kinder to one another! We are all in this together, so why not start acting like it!
12. How do we gain access to your music?
You can find it on pretty much every streaming platform there is: Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Deezer, YouTube Music, Soundcloud, Triple J Unearthed (Aussie radio), to name a few. I also have an Instagram page, a Facebook page and a website that you can access my music through as well.