Interview: Madisyn Gifford | VENTS Magazine

Can you talk to us more about your latest single “Without You”?

Yeah! The song is actually only the second song I ever wrote when I was seventeen years old, just sitting on my bedroom floor and for that reason it’s very near and dear to my heart. It’s all about the feeling of moving on from someone or something that has a lot of history and significance in your life and the feelings that go along with that. It’s both nostalgic and melancholic for me.

Did any event in particular inspire you to write this song?

It was inspired really by a lot of things in my life. I was going through a period of time that held quite a bit of loss for me in many different ways so I was just channeling all of those experiences.

How was the filming process and experience behind the video?

The music video experience was so magical! I was able to bring a bunch of stuff from my bedroom to the set so mostly all of the props were my own things which was so fun and personal. I think it also adds a lot of context to the song giving imagery for my process of moving on from difficulty in my life; both writing songs on my bedroom floor, and getting creative or expressing myself in any way that I can.

How was the recording and writing process?

Colin and I had a lot of fun writing this song because the entire experience ran so smoothly. Initially I came to him with the song the way that I wrote it, on the guitar. Then he played with some chord changes and we kept most of the lyrics the same. After we were done recording the demo we listened to it back and were like yeah, this just seems right.

What was it like to work with Colin Janz and how did that relationship develop? How much did he get to influence the song?

His production on the song I think was what really brought the whole thing to life. He was able to add so much sparkle and depth to it without feeling like it was taking away from any of the raw piano elements. A lot of his production also plays  with the lyrics really well and in a fun way which I absolutely love because I think it is a very lyrically forward song. Speaking of, he also changed one of my old lyrics to the word “evergreen” in the  pre chorus which ended up being one of my favourite parts of the song!

What role does Vancouver play in your music?

I would say Vancouver and the overall living environment and scenery here plays a huge role in my music! As I said one of my favourite lyrics in this song is “when life was evergreen”, I am so so inspired constantly by my surroundings here and do a lot of my writing while going on big walks outside.

Does the new single mean we can expect a new material – how’s that coming along?

The new single for me is a way of introducing myself and who am to the world. The song and the music is so true to me and my roots so I figured it was only appropriate for it to be my first single. As for new material we are currently working towards releasing an EP in the new year that moves in a direction I am very excited about! We’re gonna focusing on more of an upbeat fun vibe my producer Colin and I started exploring earlier in the year and I’m super stoked about what we’ve come up with! Overall I think the EP will be a really well rounded and fun project that I am so beyond excited to share!

Any tentative release date or title in mind?

The EP will be ready for consumption in the first few of months in the new year and it will be titled “learning to exist”.

What else is happening next in Madisyn Gifford’ world?

Just writing, writing, writing! Colin and I are still have so much fun creating fun new tracks and and I am so beyond excited to just keeping working on all things music.