Joelle Maddyson Some Q&A with Joelle Maddyson; singer-songwriter, pianist. Leicester Bangs: Tell us a little about yourself, and your band (if applicable). Joelle: Among both critics and peers alike, her songwriting has been deemed a heated mixture of sultry vulnerability and raw emotion. Her powerhouse vocals, in combination with her poignant lyrics and piano driven songwriting place her in a category all on her own. Meet Joelle Maddyson, a beautiful Nashville-based redheaded songstress who has taken the music industry by storm with her awe-inspiring talent. LB: How did you start out making music? Joelle: Born in southwest Louisiana, Joelle Maddyson was singing long before she could speak. Her musical journey took off in her early teens, soon after her family relocated to California’s central valley. It was during high school that Joelle began winning awards for her vocal performances in addition to participating annually in both honor choir and band. During her senior year, Joelle took on composition head on, by teaching herself how to play piano and writing original music. When Joelle received the only Command Performance award given at The Solo & Ensemble Festival in 2002, she was immediately recruited to CSU Stanislaus. She received the highest scholarship at the time for her vocal audition. She then spent three years studying both Vocal Performance and English Literature. As it became clear that her true passion lies in songwriting, Joelle took a break from school and began performing in local venues. Within months, Joelle was touring across California. She was invited to play on news programs, radio stations, and was nominated two years in a row for the prestigious Modesto Area Music Association Award. Joelle’s journey led her to Nashville, where she teamed up with Billy Smiley of Northern Shore Productions. Joelle was also awarded the LaFaMos Grant for Independent Artists. She is also the newest member selected to join SESAC, and invitation only promotional rights group for songwriters. With no end in sight, Joelle continues her dedication to sincere and fearlessly personal songwriting. LB: Who did you grow up listening to and how do they influence what you’re doing now? Joelle: Joelle grew up listening to a plethora of eclectic musical styles. She has always been just as familiar with artists of her parents generation as she is with her own. Some of her major influences are Tori Amos, Joni Mitchell, Sarah Mclachlan, Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bonnie Raitt, Dwight Yoakam, Ani Difranco, Ryan Adams, Emmylou Harris, Melissa Etheridge, Counting Crows, Fiona Apple, The Beatles, Ben Folds, Billy Joel, Bob Dylan, Cat Power, Rufus Wainwright, Jenny Lewis, Straylight Run, Tom Petty, and the list pretty much goes on forever. Joelle sincerely admires artists who compose their own music. Her true passion lies in songwriting. Her feeling is that you can only be truly passionate about what you know, and all of her original songs are loosely based on autobiographical experiences. LB: Tell us about your latest release. Joelle: Joelle's latest release is her 5 song EP, "Speed of Sound". All five songs are original. She teamed up with Billy Smiley of Northern Shore Productions in Franklin, TN to produce this album. As a result, she has received much attention from marketing agencies like LaFaMos. She has also recently been made an affiliate of the invitation only performing rights group, SESAC, due to the success of this album. LB: Do you get out and play your music live, and if so, what can an audience expect at one of your shows? Joelle: Joelle plays as many live shows as she can. Playing live is what she enjoys the most about being a songwriter. If you ever see Joelle live (and you should!), you can expect to be completely swept away by her fiercely passionate performances. Her vocals are shockingly powerful, especially when you hear her live. Her self-taught piano playing absolutely defines her music and makes her performances absolutely unforgettable. All of this combined with her raw emotional vulnerability make seeing Joelle live a life altering experience. LB: What aspects of playing and recording music do you most enjoy? Joelle: "Playing music is cathartic for me. People always notice the very dramatic and deeply substantial lyrics of my music and the melodies I create, so they naturally assume that I must be an emotional basket case. Actually, the opposite is true. When anything affects me on a deeply emotional level, I write about it, and I am able to move on. Songwriting keeps me sane and happy. I love playing the songs live more than anything, because you never play them the same way twice. It's all about how you feel in that moment. Everytime you play a song live it's a new experience. Recording music is also great, though, because it gives your songwriting fluidity. It helps you find your voice and your own style. When you record music you begin to find yourself, and although others may influence you, you no longer seek to emulate their style. You create your own style, and that in itself is incredibly liberating. Playing live is like flying, and recording is the hard work that keeps you grounded. They both work in different ways to keep me diligently moving toward my musical goals." ~Joelle Maddyson LB: Where can people find (and buy) your music? Joelle: Become part of Joelle Maddyson’s journey by visiting: JoelleMaddyson.net or www.myspace.com/JoelleMaddyson . Joelle's album will be available on iTunes in one month! To buy Joelle's mp3's before the album is released digitally, please visit cdbaby.com www.cdbaby.com/Artist/JoelleMaddyson Joelle Maddyson – Only Human