An Interview with Madam Nightingale
A new release from Madam Nightingale delivers a smooth, flowing soundscape that blends elements of pop and electronic, and keeps a disco undertone, all while utilizing classic synthesizers and elements of vastness and drive together, in order to build something that's got its own atmosphere.
You can clearly tell there was a lot of attention paid to the arrangement and production of this track. Everything is very well balanced, but it also has this allure to it. Of course, some of that Allure comes from the slightly seductive vocal approach that sort of reels you into the song, wraps its arms around you, and keeps you right where it wants to.
I think Madam and Nightingale has that kind of aesthetic to how she performs.
Now, many would consider this track to be a dance-pop single; it certainly is, but as I mentioned earlier, it blends in different elements so that the song sort of branches out.
The spaciousness and its underbelly give it depth, but all the colorful keys and synths on the forefront make it pop.
"Since That Night" has a way of telling a story, being honest, and letting the artist come through with vocals that feel soulful and genuine.
I think that's part of the fun in a song like this. You have everything from authenticity to pop overtones, experimental but fun, flavorful synths and keys that sort of swirl around, and bringing those things together creates something unique.
She certainly isn't reinventing the wheel, but rather utilizing her different influences to create something that is all her own.
The whole thing is brilliantly woven together, and each of the instruments complements the others wonderfully.
The beat sticks to a sort of four-on-the-floor approach, beckoning some of the Disco influence I mentioned before, but that also shines through in some of the keys as well.
There's something about the song that puts you in the moment with it. You feel like you're connecting with what she's saying and singing about, but also hearing something that came from someplace real. You absolutely get the feeling that this is something she actually experienced and held on to so that she can write about it.
Perhaps it's even cathartic for artists like her to write about things that happen to them. Her vocals are intense and robust, yet smooth and sultry. She's very versed in bringing those particular tones up and down.
A bit more intensity throughout the song, and she does this here and there, but a lot of the time she's giving you those alluring approaches and styles so that you get engulfed by everything.
It's the combination of her vocal approach with the instrumentation that really makes the song work the way it does.
There's a certain elegance to her performances, and she's not afraid to hold on to that pop sensibility, while thinking about something real, and letting it all feel colorful at the same time.
This is the kind of artist you hear on record and immediately want to see perform live.
I think it's because of the energy she's able to capture on the song. If you hear an artist that's able to capture that kind of energy so well on record, then seeing them live must be great.
Now, if you're not too familiar with the sounds of Madam Nightingale, then this is an amazing song to introduce you to. There are several other releases you can listen to on her Spotify page that showcase how she collaborates and evolves throughout her musical timeline.
She's definitely the kind of artist that puts pieces of herself into her music, and is unafraid to branch off and try different things, but again, still holds on to that pop attribute.
Definitely dive into this as soon as you can because it's well worth it, and while you do, have a read through of our interview with the artist below.
Don't waste any more time; check this all out right now, and you can see exactly where I'm coming from with it.
Thanks so much for taking the time! Let's jump into "Since That Night"! What a pop coated track!
Where did this song come from and what is it about?
ORIGINALLY WRITTEN FOR THE ST KILDA FESTIVAL BATTLE OF THE BANDS THAT I WON IN 2020, SINCE THAT NIGHT IS A SONG ABOUT GETTING A CRUSH ON SOMEONE THAT YOU SEE ACROSS A CROWDED ROOM, AND YOU THINK ABOUT THE MISSED CONNECTION TO THE POINT OF OBSESSION. SONICALLY IT WAS ORIGINALLY INSPIRED BY 80’S EURO TRASH STYLE SYNTHPOP WITH SIMILAR VIBES (VOCALLY) TO FADE TO GREY BY VISAGE AND (INSTRUMENTALLY) TO TODD TERRY'S REMIX OF MISSING BY EVERYTHING BUT THE GIRL.
Who are some of your biggest musical influences? KATE BUSH, NINA SIMONE, DEBBIE HARRY, PETER GABRIEL, MADONNA
Are you performing live right now?
YES - I WILL BE SUPPORTING ONE OF AUSTRALIA'S MOST CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED PROG ROCK GROUPS, KISS OF REALITY, AT BAR 303 ON 3RD JULY - SEE https://www.bandsintown.
When and how did you start as an artist exactly?
I AM A SELF-TAUGHT LYRICIST-COMPOSER, VOCALIST AND POP PERFORMER, ACTIVE 2012-PRESENT. ORIGINALLY STUDYING CLASSICAL GUITAR BETWEEN THE AGES OF 7-14, IN 2011 I STARTED PROFESSIONALLY SONGWRITING/TOPLINING, INITIALLY PERFORMING SOLO WITH PIANO ACCOMPANIMENT. THE WINTERFRIENDS FOLK AND JAZZ INFLUENCED POP-ROCK COLLECTIVE (2012-2019) WAS FORMED TOWARDS THE END OF 2012 WITH THE LATE STEVEN MARSHALL WHITE. IN LATE 2019 I FORMED MY MADAM NIGHTINGALE PERFORMATIVE CHARACTER: A POST-GENRE ARTIST PERFORMING SYNTHPOP-INFLUENCED ELECTRO-POP SONGS. LAUNCHED FEBRUARY 2020 AT THE ST KILDA MUSIC FESTIVAL, WINNING FIRST PRIZE AT THE SOUNDS OF ST KILDA BATTLE OF THE BANDS AT THEATREWORKS WITH MY DEBUT PERFORMANCE.
What's next for you? Working on new material?
CURRNTLY FINISHING UP MASTERING MY DEBUT ALBUM PLANNED FOR RELEASE EARLY 2027 & WORKING ON A SPECIAL UNPLUGGED PERFORMANCE FOR MELBOURNE FRINGE FESTIVAL IN OCT 2026
Was this recorded at a big studio, or home DAW?
RECORDED ON A HOME DAW
Did you work with a producer on the release, or is this all you?
THE INSTRUMENTATION WAS PRODUCED FOR ME BY Aj'Zho PRODUCTIONS & WAS ENGINEERED BY EMILIANO TRELEANI. IT WAS MASTERED BY TRAXWORX (JUSTIN WEISS) IN THE US
What would you say people can expect to hear on this track?
BLURRING THE LINES BETWEEN SYNTH-POP, ELECTROPOP, AND DANCE-POP, SINCE THAT NIGHT CONTINUES MY SIGNATURE APPROACH TO STORYTELLING - WHERE IMMERSIVE SONICS MEET LYRICAL EMOTIONAL DEPTH. ETHEREAL YET DRIVING, THE TRACK CAPTURES THE LINGERING ECHOES OF A MOMENT THAT REFUSES TO FADE, PAIRING PULSING ELECTRONIC PRODUCTION WITH HAUNTING, INTIMATE VOCALS.
https://www.tiktok.com/@madamnightingale
