Exposed Vocals just caught an exclusive interview with Maddie Leigh – Talks new single “Boys Aren’t Like That Anymore”
Southern California once rivaled Nashville for supremacy in country music. Today the scene has all but disappeared. California produces country stars such as Jon Pardi and Brett Young. – two of the hottest acts in country today – but they have to move to Nashville to pursue their careers. A third California native, Maddie Leigh, also a Nashville Recording Artist, is on her way up as well.
If radio country has recently been infatuated with rock and hip-hop, Leigh’s new single “Boys Aren’t Like That Anymore” represents a longer-running trend: pop country. Maddie’s single features her clear, mellow voice with a slight twist of “Yodel” (Oh yeah, did I mention she’s also a world class yodeler?) Exposed Vocals had the pleasure of sitting down to an exclusive interview with this budding country star. Check it out below. Also, you can hear her hot new single on iTunes below:
Exclusive Interview with Maddie Leigh
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
Maddie: I grew up in Temecula, California singing and listening to country music with my parents and two younger sisters. For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to sing. I have always had this undying love and passion for music wether it be creating it, performing it, or just listening to it I always knew that it was what I wanted to do with my life.
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
Maddie: I know that it is kind of cliche but I would say to keep doing what you love and never give up. Stay focused on what your goals are with your music and always stay true to yourself. And… Practice. Practice. Practice. No matter how good you are you can always get better.
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
Maddie: Of course! But you know the saying “the show must go on”!
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
Maddie: Yes, I do tour. We had the opportunity last year to open for Jason Aldean and this year we did a two part tour with the first leg starting in California then going through Arizona, Texas, Colorado, Wyoming, and ending up in Oregon. The second leg we decided to do a tour through California from San Diego to Johnsondale. As for the interesting things happening on tour, oh the amount of stories I could tell you. It really is so much fun especially since I am very close with my band. With that being said, you can probably guess that there were a few harmless pranks that were pulled such as piling things on top of people while they were sleeping, nail polish on the fingernails, mustaches being drawn, and makeup being put on each other.
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
Maddie: Yes! I am so excited to get back in the studio. I am working on an EP right now which I can’t wait for everyone to hear!
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
Maddie: I would say social media is definitely a very convenient way for all artists to promote their music. It has certainly been a big help for me in terms of promoting my music.
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
Maddie: Oh my gosh. That is a tough question, but I would have to say that I would love to sing with Dolly Parton on the Grand Ole Opry stage. The stage just has so much history tied to it and is such an important aspect of country music. It has always been my dream to sing there. As for why I said Dolly Parton, her music has been something that I grew up listening to and has inspired my music; she also seems like a very real and honest person.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
Maddie: As I mentioned in one of the previous questions, I am working on my EP at the moment. It will contain 6-8 original songs that have a new spin on traditional country that I am very excited to show everyone.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Maddie: Honestly, nothing. Music is my life and a huge part of it. I just feel so genuinely happy when I am around or playing music that I would not have it any other way.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in the next year or so?
Maddie: I have a lot of exciting new music on the way and I will also be branching out more by playing at more spots along the east coast.
