(Portland, OR) – May 2, 2023 – Portland, OR based Dream-Pop Singer/Songwriter Madisenxoxo released her new Mothership EP last week and celebrated with a hometown Portland, OR show where she welcomed special guest, and her manager, Heart’s NANCY WILSON. Madisenxoxo is exclusively managed by Roadcase Management, a new venture formed last year by Nancy along with her husband, music industry vet Geoff Bywater and family. Madisenxoxo continues the celebration week with a sold-out show supporting Josef at Hollywood’s legendary Troubadour on May 8th.
Madisenxoxo’s sophomore effort, Mothership, was produced by her long-time collaborator Josh Horine, these five songs find the artist dipping into pop, rock, folk, and electronic music. “When I’m Dreaming” alternates between brooding R&B and brisk, stuttering acoustic rock. The combination serves as her MO finding Madisen combining disparate sounds and textures in adventurous and surprising ways throughout the EP. “You’re So Pretty,” followed the introductory first track and video from Mothership which perfectly set the tone for the whole project – aptly titled, “Control Freak.”
While pursuing studies in advanced computer science – she also started writing her own original music. When the 2020 halt to everyone’s lives happened, Madisen and partner/producer, Josh Horine began recording her backlog of songs. She posted a behind-the-scenes look at the process of making one tune, the swerving, beat-heavy electro tune “Baby in Blue,” to TikTok. Unexpectedly, the video went mildly viral. When Hallberg posted the entire song on Spotify, it continued to rack up streams (currently over 5 million.)
“When we were making all these songs, we were exploring different genres and ideas,” Madisen says. “We weren’t limited by any certain sounds. Somehow it ended up being cohesive together in a really cool way that I didn’t expect. I think it was really good for me to branch out and lose focus—in a good way.”
Madisen grew up listening to the ’70s soft rock artists her parents loved—including the Carpenters, Chicago and Bread—and started piano lessons at age four, after showing early interest in the instrument. While in high school, she studied classical piano and then choral music, which led to her performing with her college’s chamber choir. “That’s where I really fell in love with harmonies and singing together with other people,” Madisen explains. “I’ve tried to incorporate that a lot in my music. I love the way people’s voices meld together.”
That love of 70’s rock portends Madisen’s unexpected connection to rock icon Nancy Wilson, who celebrates 50 years in the music business with the launch of her new venture – Roadcase Management, an Artist Management company. “After so many years of being an artist in this business, I would love to use my experience to help elevate other talented and deserving musicians.”
Mothership EP Tracklist:
1) Control Freak
2) You’re So Pretty
3) Paper Wings
4) Mothership
5) When I’m Dreaming