Introducing: Madeline Goldstein

Madeline Goldstein has a sound that bridges the icy froideur of European dark electronica and the dreamier tones of its American West Coast contemporaries. The release of her One More Day single got us wanting to find out more about the artist and her music.

One More Day by Madeline Goldstein

First up, could you tell us a bit about Madeline Goldstein, the artist?

I grew up in Portland playing in bands for many years. My artistry developed in a DIY-centric environment, going to house shows, community-run events, etc. I reached a point where I knew I had something I wanted to express on my own. I had years of experience in performing and touring but I didn’t know how I was going to write my own music yet.

Once I discovered production programs (Ableton, Pro Tools, Garage Band, etc.) everything changed. I started to write little bits and pieces of songs all the time, anywhere I went. I’d take my phone to the bar and meticulously be programming drums on my phone.

All of my songs or my first release Forget This were written in this way (and the original vocal parts all sung through my headphones mic). Once I moved to LA I began to improve my skills in Ableton and found a certain comfort in being able to make a song the moment I felt an emotion, creating loops and diving into more thoughtful sound design. And now I’m sitting on something like 40 songs and sharpening my sound every time.

Forget This by Madeline Goldstein

What inspires you to write?

The internal narrative, the dream world. All things introspective. Moments in time that can be amplified into exaggerated ideas. Heartbreak and loss and the relentless pursuit of self.

Who has had the most influence on your music?

 I’m not sure it is a particular ‘who’ but more a ‘what.’ In the beginning, it was all strong non-male artists that I perceived as powerful. It’s every romantic partner and their departure. And all the people I’ve worked on music with through the years. I’m also into movies so I’m often influenced by the way music and film intertwine. There’s typically a heavy visual element to my releases.

What has been the highlight of your musical career so far?

In general, it was accomplishing going on many tours when I was still playing in bands. It was some insane feat to play 26 shows in twenty-eight days. It seems impossible and then you do it then you never want to stop. As far as my solo stuff goes, I’d say that just completely writing a song without the input of anyone is a highlight every time. I’m always like ‘who wrote this?’ – oh yeah it was me.

What do you find are the main differences between being a solo artist and being in a band?

 When you’re in a band there’s always a push and a pull, nothing is entirely your own until you get up on that stage to play. Then you all have your own experience. That feeling of being up there together is really powerful. It solidifies a bond for life. Plus, just fucking off with your friends makes the whole experience more fun. On your own, you have to take ownership of the whole thing. It’s exciting but also scary as fuck. And you’re limited to only your own skillset.

What was the last album or song you listened to?

I tend to make playlists that become my musical revolving door for two or three weeks until I can’t stand them or the feeling that created them passes. Right now, it’s been a lot of Madonna, SRSQ, Kate Bush, Boy Harsher, and Molly Nilsson.

Lost In Heaven by Madeline Goldstein

If you could cover any song, what would it be and why?

I’m really into the idea of covering country songs and making them synth-based music. I think the narrative-focused nature of folk/country speaks to me (and it’s almost always about being heartbroken). I’ve been wanting to cover King of Hearts by Lucinda Williams for a while now.

What’s the inspiration behind the lyrics to One More Day?

One More Day is about being stuck in a loop. It’s about recognising you’re not where you should be but being unable to leave. It’s about being trapped in your own memories, and the way that memory is often unreliable and distorted by emotion. It’s also inspired by anxiety, paranoia, and release.

You’ve described One More Day as bridging a gap towards upcoming material. Could you tell us more about that?

I think both musically and thematically, this song is the perfect bridge between what I’ve already accomplished and what I know is in the works right now. It still has lo-fi appeal and is somewhat DIY in the nature of its creation but is by far the closest to what I feel like ‘my sound’ will be that I have ever gotten. Visually, the video I feel like will be my official debut as a whole concept. It embraces my beginnings in production – and embraces that naïveté.

What’s up next for Madeline Goldstein?

I’ve been in the studio working on what will be a four-song EP with the material I’ve written in the last couple of years. I’ve got a video that will be released shortly after the song. Other than that, I hope to keep playing shows and building my audience while I develop my sound.

You can stream and download One More Day as well as Madeline Goldstein’s solo back catalogue on Bandcamp. Other listening options include Deezer and Apple Music. For details on touring and new releases, be sure to follow Madeline Goldstein on Instagram.

Photo by Alex Picha