Courtesy of Alicia Madison/Big MachineI recently got a chance to speak to Alicia Madison, a singer/songwriter who is leaving her mark on the EDM scene. The 28-year-old started out as an intern for Warner Brothers Records, where A&R Vice President Tommy Page found out that she could sing and asked her to demonstrate for him. She did, and the rest is history.
Since then, Madison has worked with some of the biggest producers in the genre, including Starkillers and Laidback Luke.
Her current single, “Gravity,” was created with Sied van Riel.
What prompted you to first start interning at Warner Brothers? Was it because you wanted to be a singer?
“That was definitely a main reason why I wanted to intern there. That kind of kickstarted everything.”
Had you ever received any singing lessons beforehand?
“Yeah, I took singing lessons for four years in Manhattan.”
Did you have any other singing experience?
“I sang in a wedding band for nine years, so I got a lot of experience with that.”
Did you set out wanting to be in EDM?
“No, I was into pop music. I wanted to be a big pop star, but when I met my manager, he introduced me to the whole EDM dance scene and I just fell in love with it.”
You’ve worked with a lot of really big producers who are all pretty established in their genre, and they’ve been around for a long time. What was it like working with them?
“It was a little scary at first, but luckily everyone’s been really nice. It was cool, it was a lot of fun.”
What do you think makes you stand out from other artists?
“Vocally, I think my voice stands out. I would think I’m one of those powerhouse singers, a different tone. I don’t really hear a lot of people that sound like me, so it makes me stand out a bit.”
Who have your influences been?
“I’ve always been influenced by Amy Lee from Evanescence; Christina Aguilera, a huge powerhouse singer. But I think more recently, I’ve been really influenced by Lana Del Rey. I love her vocal style.”
What are your goals for your music?
“I think my goals are to promote a little bit more into mainstream. I feel like EDM is just starting to get popular in the U.S. I’d really like to see it a lot more, so that’s kind of where we’re heading.”
What’s your favorite song right now and why?
“I really like a song called “How You Love Me” by 3Lau and Bright Lights. I think her songwriting is really cool. I like the lyrics and the melody. And I really like, like everybody else in the world right now, John Legend “All Of Me”. And I like the remix of that. I’m obsessed. Like, I literally listen to it every day.” [laughs]
If you could perform anywhere, a music festival, an arena, or just a particular city, where would it be and with whom?
“I would love to perform at TomorrowLand. I’m dying to go to that, that’s like the biggest festival around, I think. I would like to work with Tiesto and Calvin Harris. “
So would you say those are your favorite DJs right now?
“I really am digging Calvin Harris a lot, yeah. And Tiesto has been around forever, I love his style. I’d like to work with Calvin, I think he’s really cool.”
What was the inspiration behind “Gravity”?
“It was a song that I wrote about a boy, blah blah blah [laughs], and it was one of those songs where you just meet someone and you feel like you’re levitating off the ground. They make you feel really good, and you’re starting to fall in love…it was a very seductive sound that I was going for. And I think I succeeded, I don’t know!” [laughs]
For more on Madison, head over to her official website.
Check out the music video for “Gravity” below, and look out for more singles from Alicia Madison, coming soon!
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