What is your earliest memory connected to music?
One of my earliest memories, I was about a year old, is of a very talented family friend named George Friedenthal (an accomplished musician and writer with credits that include Kenny Loggins, Michael MacDonald, and The Supremes), he was always around our house, playing an upright piano, beautiful music from jazz to classical and rock. I pointed at him one day and said "Dudge" in my effort to say George - this was my very first word, not mom or dad, but Dudge - pretty hilarious. I was headed for a life in music from the start. I'm still writing and recording with George today.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
I've always loved listening to and singing along with music; while I would write stories and lyrics, I had to have the stereo up loud - humming and mumbling along always - making a racket. Although since I was little, I was thinking I was going to be a writer (novelist/lyricist to be specific), I couldn't stop tapping and chirping along, typing in rhythm with whatever music was on, whenever it was on: Bob Marley and the Wailers, The Police, Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones, The Clash, Luther Vandross - while I attempted to write a novel. Eventually my dad noticed and got me a drum lesson which I immediately loved. I right away started a band that morphed into my first real band, M Twain (music to be released soon - I think you can imagine what the M stands for, but their estate denied our band use of the full name), and started writing songs, lead singing and drumming for M Twain in the San Francisco area, migrating south to Santa Barbara where I still write, record and play out today.
What's the story behind your current music project?
Currently I'm feeling a 90's indie-rock sound: real amplifiers, room mics, good songs, dynamics, loud drums. I'm loving the freedom in limiting the arrangements a little, like on my latest single, "Something Like Mary" - it's vocals, electric guitars, bass and drums, a simple but delicious recipe that I really love and keep returning to. "Something Like Mary" happened very fast and was a lot of fun to record.
I sit with an acoustic guitar and coffee, and write in the morning - it's meditative, keeps my skills up. Sometimes a workable tune comes out of the process. On this particular day the beginnings the song born, I called my great drummer friend, Lucas Herzog (Orangepit, Kid OK), and my bassist friend Graham Palmer (The Mad Caddies, Kinothek), we met in my studio in Goleta and they helped arrange and dial in that morning's idea into what you hear, took about an hour and half, and it was done: live guitars, bass and drums. I re-recorded the vocal, then later Dean Dinning (Toad The Wet Sprocket, Cory Sipper, Lapdog) added background vocals. "Something Like Mary" is the current single now, and something new will be out before Christmas.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
People say there are elements of The Shins, R.E.M., Elliott Smith, Curtis Mayfield, The Byrds, Haim, The Flaming Lips. It's all built around a song idea that I can toss around with some friends/collaborators and turn into something that feels alive, usually vocally and melody-driven.
What is one thing you've learned that completely changed the way you make music?
I've always believed there is no right or wrong way to write a song; a good guitar or piano riff can start out a song, but lately I've been starting with just a vocal melody - before I pick up the guitar. In the morning I'll have an idea pop in, and I'll let it sing around in my head for a bit, see how the rhythm of it evolves as I'm making my coffee, then I pick up the guitar, and find the words and chords that go with the melody and the rhythm. I used to always write with a guitar riff first, and then the words and melody, but this new way opens up all kinds of possibilities for new rhythms and styles.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
I started recording for myself and others professionally back in 2005. Since then I've always had a recording studio running protools through a mac. To write, I need a quiet space to start the idea, usually away from the studio, at home with an acoustic guitar, a pad of paper and pen, and an iphone (voice memo app rules). After that I like to collaborate with some of my very talented friends to polish the idea into a realized, finished tune.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
There is an indie artist I've been working with called Magnetize that I absolutely love. We produced a single called "Identity Crisis" that I play on repeat.
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
Ever since I was younger I've been drawn to understanding people, and emotion. I'm a people person who loves bands, and working with other musicians. I'm also a producer, the guy who gets the song recorded, so I'm practiced in getting a collective vision together to get a song produced. All these things come together to create one thing. I don't know how to do a lot of things, but I can do that, and I love it, the whole process; I'd do it even if if I didn't get paid.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
I believe we are here to make connections, and to be kind. To take care of this planet and each other. That sounds corny, or simplistic, but I believe in those simple hippy ideals. That's why I sign my emails: Peace Through Music
What's the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
That music helps with memory, and memories attach to songs; I can hear a song I heard at five and remember a car ride down a country road, all the details. Music is so powerful.
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
I would love to play a local Santa Barbara venue called The Arlington Theatre. It requires a pretty big crowd to fill it, so that would mean I've really made it. Also, there's a cool tower with purple and orange lights that I've wanted to go up into since I was a kid and write a tune. That would be great.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
I would love to meet and work with Stevie Wonder; he's my desert-island artist. Inner Visions is perfect. It would be a transcendent, lifetime experience. He's also my favorite drummer and singer of all time.
Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website, Spotify, IG, links)
Here's my Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachmadden_sb/?hl=en
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2QGt7Lf4zUJFBI6guVuU01?si=HRH1-MHVR6SuEE3mTEEqHQ
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcMyiJ2nn2tMQ1080Sf2PfQ
Website: zachmadden.art
Email: info@zachmadden.art
Looking toward the future, what's your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
I'm playing Roy in downtown Santa Barbara on December 6th at 8pm (7 W. Carrillo St.), and plan on playing some more shows to be announced up and down the coast. Also, I have some cool songs I'm getting ready to share. Keep writing, keep on recording and producing cool artists. All this seems to add up to more and more, so I'll keep on keeping on. Also, I'm excited about a website under construction: zachmadden.art - I've been ignoring that aspect of being an artist. I realize I need to promote more, and I'm currently working with a team on it, with some success, and it's heartening to realize we can have an impact as artists on a global scale, humbling.
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
I work to be honest in the songs, the lyrics, the melodies. I'm trying to connect and hope I am. I'm not perfect, but I'm working through imperfections honestly and hopefully that gives others courage to do the same, peace through music. My dream is to connect with one person; if I make a song they want to hear more than once, I've succeeded.