Interview with Texas Singer and Songwriter Madelyn Victoria
This week, we had the opportunity to interview chart-topping Texas singer and songwriter, Madelyn Victoria. She will be releasing her new song after 2 years. Madelyn Victoria’s self-penned song “Good at Goodbye” is set to be released on March 26th.
Interviewer: Every creative person that I’ve come across has had something that drew them towards that one thing they are passionate about. What drew you to the music industry?
Madelyn: First was my love for singing and performing. People were always asking me to sing to them when I was a kid. Their reactions and connection we would get was something out of this world. Then came my love for songwriting and creating music. I wanted to write and make people feel what I feel when I hear my favorite songs. I hope to one day be someone’s favorite song. This combined with an interest in business led me to start my career in the music industry.
Interviewer: I know you’ve probably heard this question multiple times before, but what inspired you to create music? What was that one moment of epiphany that inspired you to do what you do?
Madelyn: My family first inspired me, and continues to. I would hear my uncles and aunts sing together, and it just came natural to me too. My uncles were especially talented and since they never had the chance or opportunity to pursue a career in music, I felt like I needed to. It was also when I had my first big performance opening for the Jonas Brothers, I was 16 years old. Right after the performance, I really can’t explain the feeling other than like a lightning bolt of assurance hit me.
Interviewer: At what age did you first start singing?
Madelyn: I was probably 2 or 3 when my parents say I started singing. In grade school, I even remember getting in trouble for singing during tests! Haha. My first performance was when I was 5 years old. I was singing for a high school play and I remember my little knees shaking! But when everyone started clapping once I was finished, that feeling of joy was worth the feeling of nervousness.
Interviewer: When you first launched your career in this field, was your family supportive? Or did it take time to convince them that this is who you want to be and that this is something you love immensely?
Madelyn: My family was definitely supportive right from the beginning and continues to be….emotionally, financially. Whatever I would have chosen to do, they would be right there cheering me on. I am truly blessed.
Interviewer: If there is any singer in the industry whom you look up to, who is it and why?
Madelyn: Specifically, as a singer, I would say that the late Tejano star Selena, Christina Aguilera, Whitney Houston, and Chris Stapleton are my top inspirations. I know you said “singer” not “singers” but I can’t just pick one! Each voice has such a uniqueness that I love and try to incorporate when I sing. They are all such powerhouse singers that I aspire to be. Even though I sing a different genre than them (other than Stapleton) I still feel like the soul they carry I can carry in it as well.
Interviewer: What involves in your overall creative process? When dealing with musician’s block, how do you get yourself to create some music? Some artists drink coffee, while others listen to songs. Where do you get inspiration from when creating your music?
Madelyn: It is truly a beautiful mess process for me! I could start with a melody or a line I wrote a year ago. I can also get the idea for lyrics, melody, and music all at once and is written within a couple of hours. The key is to not get set on a certain process for me because if I ever do start to get musicians’ block, I can always try another way. I always think “I may not finish it now, but at the right time, the idea and inspiration will come to me” I don’t want to overthink what I’m writing, or else it’ll seem forced. I will admit though the most fun and best writing happens when I’m having a couple of drinks with my brother and we are just jamming, having a great time- that’s when cool ideas start happening for sure.
Interviewer: When creating music, do you aspire to give a hidden message to your audience through the lyrics, or is it solely based on just words to enjoy and groove to?
Madelyn: I try to let the hidden messages come organically. One song can have many messages behind it or just one, but some are also just to enjoy and groove. You want to have both so that you can reach and connect with your audience on all levels. Not all of us are going to be deep at all times, life is a mixture of it all. I try to make my songs the same way.
Interviewer: You are making a comeback after 2 years with your new single “Good at Goodbye,” which is set to release on March 26th. What inspired you, or, what made you come back and release your single after almost 2 years of releasing nothing?
Madelyn: For the past two years, I have actually been in and out of the studio recording about 10 songs total. My focus was getting that done, plus life happens right? Good at Goodbye was a song that I originally recorded in Austin with the Compound Studio about 4 years ago. I wanted to release something before releasing my other 10 songs and so we re-recorded some takes of the Good at Goodbye and here we are now. I never lost sight of releasing music, it was just timing and I’m glad it’s happening now.
Interviewer: You have been a chart-topping Texas country singer-songwriter, is there any way we’d be able to hear songs from you on any other genre except country? Would you like to explore various other genres of music as well?
Madelyn: I grew up singing all kinds of music- Country, pop, jazz, opera, Mariachi… I love it all. I just gravitate toward the Country sound more than the others. If I wasn’t singing Country though, I could imagine myself singing something along the lines of soul blues-rock, while keeping it a classic style like let’s say, Janis Joplin or Stevie Nicks. I feel like I could still incorporate some of that in my Country sound. Another thing I want to do in the future is record some Mariachi music. This would be a dedication to my family since it represents our culture and roots.
Interviewer: Which of your projects are you most proud of until now?
Madelyn: The reaction I still get to my song “He Only Loves Me on the Dance Floor” makes me so proud and truly humbles me. People singing the song along with me at the live shows gets me every time.
Interviewer: Where do you see yourself five years from now?
Madelyn: Touring worldwide, sold-out shows, hit songs, the works! I see my progression to this, slowly but surely, and I have faith I’ll be closer to that than ever before.
Interviewer: What projects can we expect from you in the next few months, or perhaps, even years?
Madelyn: Once my new single is released, then it’s onto releasing my first full-length album. Like I said earlier, I have been in and out of the studio for the last two years working on these songs and they are about ready to come out. I thank every single person that has helped me along the way and I can’t wait to showcase our hard work. The album is going to be called, “Señorita”. Then that’s the plan for the years to come, more and more music releases.
Interviewer: Attaining a breakthrough in the music industry is tough. And attaining recognition is even harder. Were you ever faced with a moment in your career when you suffered from performance anxiety or you had that moment of hopelessness where you felt that singing is not for you? If you did, how did you overcome that feeling?
Madelyn: I have never felt the feeling like singing wasn’t for me but there are times though, and I’ll admit recently when I really hit a ceiling. Things slowed down a bit (this was even before the pandemic) and I was sort of in a rut. When the momentum of shows starts to slow down, it feels like everything else does too. I would talk with my family for encouragement and I thank God that I have them for it. Even though I knew I was going to get out of the rut, the feelings that come along with it were still there so I had to try to stay positive as best as I could. I thought of all the blessings I had and trust that God will show me a way eventually. I see that this happens even with more established singers, so even at that level you just gotta ride the wave and keep working.
Interviewer: What advice would you like to give to aspiring musicians worldwide?
Madelyn: If this is truly what you love and are passionate about it, then work for it every day. Practice, write a song, talk to a venue about booking a gig, think of how you can expand your brand. Keep repeating that over and over. There is always something to do no matter how big or small, and you will see results.
