Formula Indie Sessions – Madima Q&A – European Indie Music Network

Bio:

MADIMA & THE SWITCH is an LA-based Pop Rock band that performs around Southern California. With eclectic arrangements and genre-bending sounds, each member of the band brings a unique thumbprint to The Switch’s sonic identity – ranging from Delta Blues, Prog-Rock, and Indie Pop. Frontman and songwriter Madima has had her voice and solo projects featured in award-winning shorts, animation pilots, and feature-length films; including “HEARTSTORM”, executive produced by Jo Koy. Her fifth independent project (and first in-studio album) with The Switch is titled “Exit Plan”, which is currently streaming everywhere.

What is your earliest memory connected to music?

I have a distinct memory of dancing around my childhood home’s kitchen while my DJ dad put on a bunch of Disney movie song selections for me to sing along to – I must have been only 2 or 3 years old at the time. My parents have often said I was singing before I could properly talk, so that tracks.

How did your passion for creating music begin?

I think my songwriting origin stems from the same place anyone else does: teenage angst. I had played guitar since I was 12 years old, but I started writing my own lyrics at sixteen after numerous unrequited relationships. Music had always been a foundational part of who I was, but being able to elucidate my feelings in my own words and melody became a lifeline for me growing up.

What’s the story behind your current music project?

“Exit Plan” is a project that is all about the different forms of anxiety I think I’ll always have. The songs I made for this record tackle social anxiety, racial anxiety, separation anxiety, fear of mortality, etc. Each of these worries has plagued my life at some point, but being able to name the cause and effects of these fears has helped me wrangle them. This is also the first in-studio project my band and I have done together, and writing the music with their input was an absolute blast. I got to give up the tastiest ear candy to our band leader and producer of the project, Magnum C. Nadal. He really elevated the project from good to phenomenal with his creative input.

How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?

I would say I primarily write from a Pop Rock, Pop Punk sensibility – but my music definitely dives into Prog-Rock, Blues and sometimes Folk. It kind of depends on what feeling or genre I want to play in. I’ve been told that some of my more heavy tracks emulate Janis Joplin in my vocals, but I don’t really see it!

What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?

There is a kind of cheat code songwriters can use to figure out the key that your song is in: it’s sort of related to the Circle of 5ths rule in guitar, but essentially, you can always count on there being at least 3 minor chords, 1 diminished 7th chord, and 3 major chords. Knowing that and a basic knowledge of scales has helped me immensely when trying to string together music on paper.

What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?

You always have to have a pen/pencil and paper handy! Lyrics usually come pretty easy to me, but I would say having either a piano or guitar laying around to work out melodies is always the move. I’m pretty analog in the way I make music, but I do love having a library of sounds to reference either on Ableton or just in my saved playlists.

Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?

Right now, I would say Lucius – I’ve been following their band since 2014, and to see the shifts and changes in their sound has been an absolute delight.

How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?

“Exit Plan” was definitely born out of my life experiences of always feeling out of place or overly pressured by the world. I think that the point of the project was to give myself and others a way to navigate those tough emotions by sympathizing with their own worries and fears. I believe my music operates out of a need to connect with others and to ultimately feel less alone when we listen or sing it together.

What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?

Catharsis, peace, rage – I think I want people to feel my true self so they can feel comfortable to do the same.

What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?

Anything can inspire you – never shy away from an emotion that makes itself known through your art. Chase it, and you just might learn more about yourself than you thought was possible.

What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?

As someone who spent years in college attending it, being a part of Austin City Limits in Texas would be an absolute dream!

If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?

I’m a huge fan of Sammy Rae & The Friends. I love a big, dynamic band sound – the kind that is basically a small orchestra. Being able to be in a room to play musically and vocally with a super group of musicians like that would be incredible; and knowing how much Sammy loves to play with genre would only encourage us to collectively push the envelope.

Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website, Spotify, IG, links)

www.madima-mp3.com // Spotify // @madima.mp3 on IG // linktr.ee/madima.mp3

Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical

journey?

I would love to do a Southwest tour of the United States or get the chance to play abroad in Europe or Asia!

What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?

I hope listeners will stay along for the ride as I have been really inspired to write a politically-driven album next. I am after all a woman of color living in America – what else could I possibly write about?