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1.) We’re very excited to have some time today with acclaimed Alt-R&B vocalist and producer extraordinaire, Mandolin; greetings and salutations Mandolin and thank you for taking time out of a busy schedule to speak with us here at Vents Magazine! Before we meander down the Q&A musical pathway, how is 2025 treating you and yours?
Thank you for having me. So far 2025 has been treating me well. I have a lot of things planned for this year..new work. I look forward to what’s coming as well as being grateful for where I’m at right now..just taking a step at a time.
2.) Major kudos and accolades on your stunning and powerful new single Mad which is lighting up record charts across the ever-loving globe even as we speak! Starting at the top, can you talk about what inspired this gem of a ditty?
To be completely honest I was drunk..I had a good night with my friends but my phone kept going off the whole night..someone I used to be with just wouldn’t leave me alone. I came home, recorded the first verse as a freestyle..built on it from there. I had totally forgotten I recorded it until I opened a random file I had saved a few days later.
3.) You fashioned and shaped Mad yourself, bringing your unerring producing instincts to this beautiful single; congrats! Can you talk about the pros to serving as your own producer versus outsourcing your music to someone else?
This is actually new for me. I have worked with other producers but sometimes I feel I can’t get it to where I want it to go unless I’m in control, maybe it’s a pride thing..I just like being involved in every part of it. I mix my vocals as well for the same reason..I just know where I want each backing or adlib to go. I don’t like too much on my voice. I really like the way guitars vibrate with my tone..and producing is fun honestly. Chilling, vibing, making what I feel like. It’s fun.
4.) In your humble opinion, what differentiates Mad from the Distinguished Competition on the 2025 music landscape?
I feel like a lot of today’s music is so overly edited. A*******, so many effects, which I’m not against if it sounds cool but I want what I put out to be as authentic as possible. I take a lot of inspiration from older artists, Janis Joplin, Cat Power, Alanis, Amy Winehouse. I also love artists like Dijon who just does whatever he feels. I really enjoy the rawness authenticity brings.
5.) In the wake of the release of Mad, should audiophiles and music lovers keep eyes and ears on the lookout for even more music from you as the year marches forward?
Yes. To be simple yes. I got stuff coming.
6.) What does your touring/performing dance card look like in the coming weeks and months?
I have a few upcoming shows in May, and some more after that. Excited for touring and traveling. I recently discovered a lot of my fan base is in New York so I’m definitely excited to visit there.
7.) How is the Mad single similar to some of your past music such as 2022’s Alone? How is it different?
I feel they’re similar in tone. I love my low voice, that’s my natural state. I use my falsetto in both too, bass is used in both. They’re different because Alone wasn’t produced by me..and Mad is. I can hear the difference in confidence as well..maybe that’s just something I hear and no-one else does. Mad has more instrumentation and groove as well.
8.) Who are some of the people both in and out of the world of music who have informed and influenced your own indelible music stylings?
Growing up my dad was in a band, we listened to almost everything together. He plays the bass and the guitar, and bangs on the keys from time to time. I used to sing country when I was little, then transitioned into soul. I had a heart for it. My top musical inspirations are definitely from the past, Janis, Alanis, Fiona Apple is insane, Etta James, Ray Charles..Bush, Nirvana.. I take inspiration from all music and craft my sound from that.
9.) As a singer and songwriter, which generally tends to come first for you during the creative process – The lyrics or the music? Or is it a bit more freeform than all of that?
It’s freeform for sure. It depends. Some days I come up with a whole song in my head and have to go home and make what I wrote in my head. Other days I hear a guitar lick I like and run with it..humming first then words come. I feel like if I had one way of doing things I’d get lost in the structure of it and not be as free as I’d like.
10.) At the end of the day, what do you hope listeners walk away with after giving many-a-spin to your beautiful and rousing new single Mad?
I just hope they feel it. Feel the rawness, the “f u” energy I’m giving, and I hope they send it to their ex.
LISTEN TO “MAD”
