After establishing herself with a wealth of rich and immersive offerings these last few years, emerging artist Max Madly has now returned to deliver her compelling new EP 'welcome to my head where everything is sad'.
Featuring the previously unveiled gems 'LOVESICK', 'Worship Me', and 'girlbeast', this new six-track collection makes for a brilliantly broad and tantalising listen. With her rich and powerful voice layered across a diverse approach to production throughout, she is quickly cementing herself as one of the more innovative names on the rise right now.
So with the new EP available to stream now, we sat down with her to find out more about her origins and what has been inspiring her most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
I remember begging my mom to put me in piano lessons after hearing my cousin play Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, which is still one of my favorite compositions to this day. My grandmother also played for us when we were growing up and I think that's another reason why I feel so connected to it. Even though piano lessons didn't stick, piano is a part of my identity as a musician.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
Growing up, I was really unfocused and anxious starting from a young age, but for some reason, classical music always grounded me. I think I became weirdly enamored with it because it helped me tune out all the chaos in my head. I remember spending probably too much time alone in my room, reading fantasy books while listening to either morose orchestral stuff or the complete opposite - alt rock/grunge...usually Soundgarden or the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I've always been paradoxical in my taste and I think that comes through in the music I write now.
What was the first album you remember owning?
I think I was around 8 or 9 when I snuck into my older brother's room, ripped through his entire CD collection, and landed on Stadium Arcadium by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I remember having this moment of reverence over the artwork and A/B side split. Something about it felt rare and special. Anyway, I stole it and never gave it back to him... I think I still have it in my house somewhere. I listened to that record 7 billion times and I'm still not sick of it.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
"The Mysterious Vanishing of Electra" by Anna Von Hausswolff. Everything about it is utterly magical. I aspire to this level of artistry.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I don't have any habits or a secret formula per se... but one common ingredient in my writing process is usually pure impulse and heightened feeling of inspiration. I don't think very much when I write - I kinda just do it. I also seek complete escapism through my work. Any part of the process that can take me to another place mentally - whether that's priming my brain with anime, getting immersed in nature, or reading a fantasy novel - is my favourite way to start writing.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Daniela Lalita, LEYA and King Woman have been on repeat. I've been very into experimental and doomgaze/metal lately.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
My ultimate dream is to open for Anna Von Hausswolff. I am intensely manifesting that for myself and my career.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
The way music allows for an unadulterated expression of my thoughts and feelings has easily been the most fulfilling and liberating part of my life. I think I would combust without it.
And what is the most frustrating part?
I think being an artist will always welcome a certain level of self torture for me. There's this quote by Marty Rubin that I find deeply relatable, "Those who exploit the suffering of others are called parasites. Those who exploit their own suffering are called artists." Bearing my soul through my art has always been necessary but painful.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
There is no other "you," so make sure you're sharing yourself as such. It's a battle to stay vulnerable in my work, but that seems to be what feels the best and comes the most naturally.
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Max Madly's new EP 'welcome to my head where everything is sad' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.