Madame Mayhem

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MADAME MAYHEM released her cover of Aerosmith’s “Livin’ On The Edge” to all digital platforms.

Interview conducted on September 27, 2020

By Dan Locke

The Manhattan born singer/songwriter and burgeoning rock icon-in-the-making has weaponized the darkness, turning it into a rallying cry for all who were ever cast aside.

What is your upbringing?

I was born in NYC

How did you discover music?

My mom used to play music in the car when she drove me around to try to get me to nap as a kid. That music was mostly grunge. I like to joke and say that grunge music was my “baby music”. It made a big impression on me. My taste got heavier as I got older.

How did you start to write music?

Ever since I can remember, I have always wanted to perform, sing, write and create music.

What was your first performance at like?

Every performance has a special energy that’s hard to explain in words. There’s this amazing connection with everyone at the show that’s like nothing else.

What makes a good songwriter?

Being open minded, willing to try new things, and being honest.

How did you get your name?

My parents actually came up with it! They named me twice. But what the Madame Mayhem name is really about taking control and rising above the “Mayhem” around you. Being the Madame of my own surrounding Mayhem. Taking charge of my own anxiety, hurt, frustrations, and then channeling it towards my music.

How was it to open up for bands like Sevendust, Fozzy, and Doro? What did they teach you about the music industry?

Each tour has been an amazing experience in their own unique ways. I learned different things from each band we have toured with.

What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?

I have been writing original songs since I was a child, so I’m pretty sure the first song I ever came up with was never recorded haha.

How was it to work with Brian Vodinh, Johnny K, Billy Sheehan, Keith Wallen and J. Bomb on Breaking Down?

It was incredible. It was such a fun, creative experience. I am very appreciative to all of them for being part of it! I am very proud of how “Breaking Down” turned out.

You did the Aerosmith song “Living on the Edge”. How did you talk Mark Hudson the songwriter of the song to produced and arranged it for you?

I worked with Mark Hudson on my first full-length album “White Noise”, and since I was playing “Livin’ On The Edge” during our live sets during that time, we thought it would be a cool idea to record it. I decided to finally release the song from the vault after all this time as I felt the song was extremely relevant now.

What is your favorite track on the album?

That’s a difficult question. Every song I create is personal and has special meaning to me.

How do you stay healthy while touring?

Trying to rest when I can, not partying too hard so I can preserve my voice and put on the best show I can each night.

What are you’re feeling about streaming music?

I have always been a fan of releasing full-length physical CDs that you can hold and the artwork and music tell a story from front to back, but streaming music has made it easier for people to discover new music and new artists.

Digital vs. vinyl?

Both! They are different listening experiences.

Do you feel that the Me-Too Movement has helped female performers?

I think it’s important that the terrible things that go on behind closed doors have been called out and brought to light! There is now a community of support to stand up to people who have taken advantage of victims and help victims know they are not alone. It’s extremely important and I hope it can eventually continue to stop those things from happening.

What is the mental health situation of the United State? How can the public help the doctors and nurses on the front line?

I have an incredible amount of respect for healthcare and frontline workers and have family members that are in that position. They are true heroes! I think we should all help them by trying to stop the spread of Covid-19.

What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?

Well, I just released a cover of Aerosmith’s “Livin’ On The Edge” that I feel is extremely relevant right now, with everything going on in the world.

What is your daily workout like during the lockdown?

I’m trying to stay active by doing cardio outside when I can and Les Mills’ Body Combat in my living room. Those workouts have really helped keep me sane during this time.

How do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?

I Think it has already had a devastating effect. We may be one of the last to fully open for live performances. The positive is we can still do our best to interact with listeners remotely and release and work on new music in the meantime.

What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?

Living in NYC, I am still spending most of my time in my apartment. I have set up a small makeshift home studio and have been writing music, as well as playing some live cover songs for my Youtube page. I have been able to do some virtual festivals which have been fun too. Hopefully, some great music will come out into the world after all of this from all of us musicians being home right now. One of the few positives of the last few months has been spending more time at home with my family.

How are your personal logo mask selling?

People seem to like them! I know I love mine! Figured it could be a good way to show some rock n’ roll style while on the go.

Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?

I actually put together the official lyric video for “Breaking Down” and the music video for the “Livin’ On The Edge” cover myself! This video for “Livin’ on The Edge” is ‘From the Vault’ throwback footage, making of, and behind the scenes of the hustle at the beginning of my rock career all the way till now, a real behind the scenes take with live performance shots too! You can check it out here: https://youtu.be/UZpx1c9fl3s
You can check out all I have been up to with videos by subscribing to my YouTube channel. www.YouTube.com/MadameMayhemOfficial

I was surprise to see a banjo on your Facebook feed on May 22th?

I was part of a virtual music festival called Mayhem Unplugged, with multiple other artists who were performing remotely from their homes. It was really fun and I got to sing and play my keyboard in stripped-down versions of songs, which was cool since most people hadn’t seen me perform that way before.

95% of people said that they have changed the way they watch television. This includes people who don’t have television and using their computers to do streaming of programs and movies. Which is your favorite streaming channel?

There’s an endless stream of movies and shows that are being released which keeps me entertained during my downtime.

Many artists are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. In October that is going to change at least on Facebook. Facebook is cracking down on livestreamed shows that include recorded music with new terms of service, preventing artists from using the platform for “commercial or non-personal” purposes, unless they have obtained the relevant licenses.

Being so, you did songs like Rolling in the Deep and Alanis Morrissette. How does that work with copyright? By the way you sounded great.

The updated music guidelines state that users “may not use videos on our products [which include Instagram] to create a music listening experience […] This will include [Facebook] Live,” and stipulates that such content should be posted for the enjoyment of friends and family only.

How do you think this will change the landscape of Facebook?

I’m honestly not sure, as an artist, I would like to be able to jump on a live stream and be able to sing my own songs for my fans without being penalized, as it wouldn’t be something people would not get charged for and would purely be for enjoyment. The new rules seem a bit confusing. I think we will have to see how it all goes.

How can bands keep their fans if they cannot play live in front of the fans and sell merch to them at the show?

It’s really difficult. I always love connecting with fans at our shows! I have been trying to keep up and connected with my fans through social media platforms through the official Madame Mayhem pages more than ever and through emails with Madame Mayhem subscribers (which you can subscribe to on www.MadameMayhem.com) . I love and appreciate my fans for sticking by me always, especially during these difficult times. As for merch, most bands also sell merch on their websites, so even though there aren’t shows to get merch at right now, you can still support your favorite artists by checking out their online merch stores and getting some swag.
www.MadameMayhem.com/store

Live Nations just started Live Nation from Home. Which are concerts from artist homes. An all-new virtual music hub keeping fans connected to their favorite artists featuring daily live streams, performances, new music, and more. Do you think it will be possible to make a living doing concerts this way?

I hope there will be some way for us as performers/ musicians to continue to be able to do what we love and be able to make a living. This is all new territory for everyone, so we will have to see how it all works out.

For smaller bands who do not play large crowds, this is not really an issue. How do you see bands going back to smaller venues and doing things like play for the door, with no guarantees?

It’s always been difficult, always a struggle, even before everything shut down, but sometimes you just have to play your best show every night, have fun, no matter what, and build it up. It all takes a lot more time, effort, and struggle than most people would assume. That’s why you really have to love performing and love what you do to stick with it.

With Social Distance being the norm. Do you feel that it maybe the end of the music fest for the next couple of years?

I really hope there will be a safe way soon way to bring back festivals again.

Are you going to vote by mail or in person? Did you know that Live Nation Activates Concert Venues as Polling Places and Promotes Voting Engagement among Fans and Employees?

I am voting. I did not know that, very interesting.

What about Holographic concerts in our living room?

Sounds cool, have no information about that.

How do you see yourself in the next five years?

Still creating music and sharing it with the world. Music, singing, and performing have been my passions my entire life, and always will be.

Anything you would like to say in closing.

If you haven’t yet, follow me on Spotify and check out the 2 new singles “Breaking Down” and “Livin’ On The Edge” (cover). Thanks in advance!
*Keep up with all things Madame Mayhem by going to www.MadameMayhem.com
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Rock On! Let the Mayhem continue…