Exclusive Interview with 'MADAM WHO?'

On July 27, 2019, a kind stranger pulled “Madam Who?” from the ocean. Her alter ego had separated from her longtime partner nine months earlier, temporarily leaving her two children in the house she had literally helped build. She was at her absolute lowest, devastated and worn out.
The Universe insisted she return to music even though she had sworn off it centuries earlier; it had to almost drown her to make her realize it. She initially resisted, but the songs wouldn’t go away. She finally gave up and pulled out her beaten guitar and a notebook. She was surprised at how good it felt. extremely good She gradually started to welcome the muse back in like an old, beloved lover from the past. She felt stronger as she wrote more. She then started writing songs to inspire both herself and other victims of abuse. Most recently, she wrote and quickly recorded the song “Better Than Sex” after being moved by the lock-down. That is the newest in a long line of upbeat pop songs that have drawn inspiration from The Beatles, The B-52s, Bjork, The Go- Go’s, Lady Gaga, The Killers, and a host of other artists. Although her songs may become stuck in your head, they only intend to give you confidence.

She is working on loving herself, and she invites you to do the same and travel with her on this journey. The world would be a better place if everyone could learn to love themselves. Let’s bring it about. Be healthy and kind, particularly to yourself. Remember that Madam Who loves you. The majority of the album’s songs, such as the title track, “Reclaim Your Power,” “You Are Not Alone,” and “I Am Enough,” were written in a depressingly dark environment. To those going through difficult times, they provide inspiration and hope. Check out the album and the exclusive interview below:

1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?

MADAM WHO?: First of all, that you very much for including me in your magazine! To answer your question, Madam Who? was born July 27^th 2019 when kind strangers pulled my 10-year-old daughter and me from the Ocean. She had been caught in a rip current. I rushed out to rescue her but got caught in the same rip current. That was the scariest moment of my life at the lowest point in my life.

Months earlier I had been abruptly discarded by her father after a long, emotionally abusive relationship. Before the relationship, I had pursued a music career. After nearly drowning, a song called “Lifeline” wouldn’t leave me alone. I swore I’d never write again, but this time it was different. This time it was for my own mental health. I started to write self-affirming songs. The more I sang them, the stronger and better I felt. Then I decided to share them, because if they helped me they might help someone else.

2. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?

MADAM WHO?: I had formal training on the piano and became an excellent sight-reader. I played piano for my high school chorus and the teacher loved to throw music in front of me to play that I’d never seen. I also play guitar, but mostly taught myself. I don’t read music well for guitar. I can read chord charts and tablature, but if you put piano music in front of me and told me to play it on the guitar, I would fumble around for a while. I am generally self-taught when it comes to voice, though I’ve hired teaches to give me vocal exercised and to make sure I wasn’t singing in a way that I would be damaging my voice.

3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences? Why the name ‘MADAM WHO?’?

The day after my 12^th b-day, I watched “The Complete Beatles” documentary on the public broadcast system here in the US. I didn’t know much about them at the beginning. By the end I not only was in love with the Beatles, I wanted to BE a Beatle. The next day I ordered a guitar and started writing songs. There is no other band – even to this day – whose entire catalog of songs I bought. I’ve really enjoyed other artists such as the B-52’s, The Bangles, The Go-Go’s, Madonna, Prince, The Cure, Jane’s Addiction, Bjork, P!NK, Green Day, The Killers, Lady Gaga, and lately The Weeknd, Lizzo, and Olivia Rodrigo. But mainly inspiration comes from individual songs I hear.

Why MADAM WHO?: I adore steam punk fashion, so when I began to develop my new musical identity, I knew that would be a part of it. Then I imagined what someone dressed like that would be called. These days it might be “eccentric” but back then it would have been Madam. I love striped socks, so I imagined myself with B&W striped knee-highs, and it reminded me of Mrs. Whatsit from the book, A Wrinkle in Time that I had recently read to my daughter. Madam Whatsit didn’t have the ring as the other mystic character, Mrs. Who. I looked up MadamWho.com and to my complete shock, it was available, so I bought it!

Do I have to say “and the rest is history” now? It’s so cliché.

4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?

MADAM WHO?: I like to combine a lot of elements from different genres. I also like to make every song unique with its own personality. I think it is more interesting for the listener. I had one person describe my album as “every song is a pleasant surprise.” I like that. They are all rooted in pop/rock. I tend to write anthemic songs with a positive message.

5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as ROCK?
**MADAM WHO?**:
Growing up I emulated Madonna’s vocal styling. She fascinated me the way she could just fire up a controversy whenever she wanted. I also emulated Kate Pearson and Cindy Wilson of the B-52’s. When I got to college and formed a band, it was me and four guys. I played rhythm and the guy who played lead traded vocals with me. I learned the band dynamic which is like an intimate relationship with 4 other people. It is intense. Then I fronted my own band and refined my stage presence.

6. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative and entertainment?

MADAM WHO?:

I think music is a very powerful conduit for change. Music can bypass the conscious mind and influence people. When I first started out, I didn’t realize this. Sometimes I get frustrated that artists don’t use their power as much as they could in that way, but humanity also just needs a break sometimes from all its problems. As an atheist, I like to slip in lines here and there to attempt to normalize atheism. As a Humanist, I like to write uplifting and empowering songs.

7. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfilment as the amount of work you are putting into it, or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?

MADAM WHO?:

This time around it does give me back as much fulfilment as I put into it. The last time around it didn’t because I was doing it for selfish purposes, like for my own glory and for everyone to love me. Now if one person gets up with me to let me know they enjoy my work, or that it helped them through a difficult period, or whatever, that’s enough.

8. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?

MADAM WHO?:

I usually start with a hook. I’ll hear somebody say something in a unique way and start singing it. I’ll add some rhyming lyrics and see how easily it comes. Then I might let it simmer for a while to see if it is actually good or if I was just having an insane moment. From there I’ll sit down with a notepad and try to come up with a verse. I used to also go to my guitar at that point to find the chords that fit, but now I go straight to Logic. I’ll add a beat and a bass line and vocals. Then eventually I’ll get the structure down and more lyrics. It can take anywhere from a day to 20 years.

9. What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?

MADAM WHO?: The most difficult thing in my life so far was reclaiming my power after 19 years of narcissistic abuse. I didn’t even know who I was anymore. I lost my home, my income, and my ex estranged my son. After four years I’m still trying to rebuild a relationship with my son. This was far more excruciating than going through treatment for a cancerous brain tumor 11 year earlier. When you have cancer, people rally around you. When your life crumbles for anything other than a physical ailment, it’s like everyone wants to stay away.

10. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?

MADAM WHO?: I am proud of having reclaimed my power. I started an upholstery business which is paying the bills, and I’m in a new relationship with a man who treats me like a queen. With my music I’m extremely proud of the fact that I wrote, produced, recorded, and mixed all the songs on my album and it has been getting great reviews.