Maddie Regent Interview
Dive into the ethereal soundscape of rising alt-pop sensation Maddie Regent as she unveils her latest EP titled 'Girl of Your Dreams'. The release is a captivating journey through a shimmery, electro-pop wonderland. Across the EP's eight tracks, Maddie Regent's dreamy vocals effortlessly dance atop driving electronic beats and glittery synths. What sets Maddie apart is her ability to strike a delicate balance between heart-wrenching lyricism and uplifting pop melodies. We got to chat with Maddie Regent about her artistry, musical journey, and upcoming plans.
- Congratulations on the release of your new EP, 'Girl of Your Dreams'! How does it feel to have this project out to the world?
I feel a big sense of relief now that it’s all out. 20-year-old me needed to hear these songs! She needed to know that loving yourself through bad relationships is hard, but possible. In a sense, ‘Girl of your dreams’ is like a big sister telling you all their relationship issues throughout the years. The important part though isn’t that stuff didn’t work out, it’s that she kept trying. And that’s also a good metaphor for the making of the EP in general. It began as an experiment to see how far we could push songwriting through a more alternative pop sound, and ended with a collection of songs I would’ve given up trying to make a couple years ago.
- Can you share a bit about the inspiration behind the title 'Girl of Your Dreams' and the overall theme of the EP?
The title is actually inspired by a lyric in “ruining,” which is the last song on the EP. The full lyric - if I’m the girl of your dreams, you’re probably having a nightmare- pretty much sums up how I used to feel about myself for a lot of my teen years and into my twenties. It led to me seeking relationships with people who were emotionally unavailable to avoid having to look inward and work on myself. ‘ruining’ being the last song on the project is important because it‘s full of self reflection; realization that I’m hurting and maybe I need time to heal.
- What's your favorite song from the EP and why?
“ruining” is my favorite song I’ve ever made. It’s basically a conversation I had with my boyfriend (co-writer and producer) put to music. The bridge is also sick!! “SIDE FX” is a close second favorite because it’s the first song we made for the project. It was when we knew we had to experiment and make more music together. So it’ll have a soft spot in my heart forever.
- You mentioned that the EP was produced by your boyfriend and close collaborator, Cade Hoppe. How does the dynamic of working with someone close to you influence the creative process?
We only started writing together a year or so into our relationship because we didn’t know how it would work and we didn’t want to force it. It had to happen naturally, and I’m so glad it did. Cade is one of my favorite lyricists, and when I struggle to find the right words he can help fill in the blanks because he knows me so well. I feel very lucky to be able to make music with him.
- How has your musical journey evolved since your debut EP, 'MISS REGENT', in 2021?
‘MISS REGENT’ is something I will always be so proud of. I think after I released it, since I’d had a lot of those songs finished for years before, I was itching to take more risks with collaborations and releases going forward. I used to be really precious when it came to my music, and so becoming more flexible with my process and approach has given me the freedom to explore what I wouldn’t have before. Whether it’s the specific sound or the subject matter, I’m really excited to dig even deeper and break even more rules with my future projects.
- Your song "EGO" gained popularity on TikTok. How has the connection with your fans through social media platforms influenced your music and career?
Any opportunity to connect with people who enjoy my music is special. I was not expecting that song to get that much attention but I’m so grateful. It helped me continue to push forward with music knowing there are people out there who will listen to what I have to say.
- What can fans expect from you in the near future? Any upcoming projects or collaborations you can tease?
I’m planning on doing a few shows in the new year, so definitely watch out for that!
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