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Hello, everyone! We are thrilled to have a very special guest with us today—Madeleine, an extraordinary singer-songwriter whose new album “Wildflower” is about to be released on May 31st. Madeleine, welcome! “Wildflower” is such an evocative title. What does it symbolize for you?
A “wildflower” is someone who is unique and doesn’t conform to what people expect them to be. Wildflowers are resilient and grow in any climate or location. Not everyone finds the beauty in wildflowers, but the right people love them. As a person from a small town and didn’t feel like she fit it, I can resonate as being seen as a weed by some and a beauty by others. It symbolizes my resilience and my rebirth as someone who I always wanted to be.
How did you come up with the concept for “Wildflower”? Was it inspired by a specific moment or experience?
To be honest, I am obsessed with the song “Wildflowers” by Dolly Parton, EmmyLou Harris, and Linda Ronstadt. I was struggling with my journey and mental health in 2022 and found that as a comfort. Then I wanted to change my life to be me again. I started seeing flowers and butterflies EVERYWHERE. The more I wrote about my life, the more I started seeing signs that I was on the right path.
Can you describe the journey from the initial idea to the finished product of “Wildflower”?
I wanted to manifest a better version of my life when I started writing this album. I was having a quarter-life crisis and was trying to figure out my life (a tale as old as time). I decided to start looking back at my life and how I got to where I was, and I started to get inspired by what I’ve gone through. I realized that every time life was uncomfortable and lonely, it would lead to my biggest blessings. I started to romanticize my past and wrote new songs about looking back. It didn’t take the sting out of my memories, but it allowed me to heal. I ended up with 16 songs that I’m in love with that truly show who I am. Wildflower is by far my best work yet!
Were there any challenges you faced during the creation of this album? How did you overcome them?
I think most independent artists, like me, struggle with a lack of support and funding. While that is a big disadvantage, it allows me to become more creative. I watched hours of videos on recording music, did my own photoshoots with a tripod, and designed my own merch and cover art.
What instruments or production techniques did you use to capture the essence of “Wildflower”?
I used acoustic and electric guitars, drum kits, synths, and a mandolin. It was a lot of fun to toe the line between country, pop, and folk! I also did quite a bit of vocal layering to make my voice sound fuller and to get a chorus effect on some tracks. I tried to keep most tracks simple to highlight my lyrics and to make everything sound more clear.
How do you think “Wildflower” fits into the current music landscape? Do you see it setting any trends?
If I ever set a trend with my music, I would be the happiest indie artist you’ve ever seen! I think people yearn for vulnerability in music. The current music landscape is a lot of fun with its trends and proclamations of confidence, but my album showcases the other side of that confidence. It shows how you can get through hard times in life, lose friends, lose love, and still live your best life. I think it shows the difficult part of healing and being different, while ensuring the listener that it’s still worth it to be unique.
Who were some of the collaborators on this project, and how did they contribute to the final sound?
Kelsey Horlacher is a writer on two songs but also has been screaming at me to have an album like this for YEARS. She has been urging me to lean into the folky sound because of my vocals and my lyrics, and now, I will admit that she was correct all along. With the title and stories I wanted to tell, the album Wildflower, is me finally giving into the sound that is meant for my artistry.
What do you think sets “Wildflower” apart from other songs you’ve written?
I think this album is very bittersweet, and I don’t think I’ve written that way before. It’s not a sad album, but it’s not exactly happy either. It’s a coming-of-age through past pain and deciding to move on. In the past, I have always written songs about events I was currently going through. Most of this album is looking at different years of my life and writing about them with the perception of what happened after.
How do you hope “Wildflower” will resonate with your fans and new listeners alike?
I hope it can make them cry, laugh, and heal. I hope that it can help listeners know that they are never alone in whatever they are feeling and that most things end up working themselves out. I hope they realize that all seasons of life have beauty and meaning, even if they don’t quite see it yet.
What are you most excited about in terms of performing “Wildflower” live? Any special plans for your live shows?
I feel like I finally get to perform mostly new material! I am really excited to perform these songs live and see reactions from the crowds. I know this is my best work yet, and there will be great satisfaction in sharing it with others! I will be selling CDs for the first time at my live shows, also. I would love to have a show in Nashville this summer to honor the album release, so follow me on socials to see when!
Be sure to check out Madeleine’s new album “Wildflower” when it releases on May 31st. Thanks for tuning in, and see you next time!
Social Links:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5T2nyzURQERKXMoXZVp0QO?si=RFdidDknRH2fLIzW3DWitQ
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/musicalmadkate
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musicalmadkate/
website: https://www.musicalmadkate.com/
