Exposed Vocals just sat down with Madison Anglin for an exclusive interview!
Just ask Madison Anglin the difference between the words, ‘passion’ and ‘piano,’ and she will likely tell you there is none—because for this talented musician, they are one and the same!
The eighteen-year-old artist has spent more than half of her life studying, playing, composing and performing music that resolutely speaks to the hearts of audiences.
Madison is a singer/songwriter as well as a classically trained pianist who intuitively connects her mastery of the keys with soulful melodies and heartfelt lyrics that are bound only by the limits of her creative imagination.
She is a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Dallas, Texas—an elite performing arts school known for producing famed artists including Norah Jones and Erykah Badu.
Madison routinely performs around the Dallas-Fort Worth area. During her senior year of high school, Madison was fortunate to learn a great deal during an internship with Grammy award winning, gospel recording great Fred Hammond.
In the summer of 2017 Madison placed 3rd in the national NCAAP competition, ACT-SO, in the music composition category. She is especially proud of a 2016 opportunity in which she performed an original song for a packed house at the iconic Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, Tennessee.
Currently Madison is attending Belmont University in Nashville where she is pursuing a degree in Music Business while continuing to create and perform her original tunes.
Website: madisonanglin.com
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
I was born in the Bay Area, Concord, California. Both of my parents worked as journalists in San Francisco at the time. I can remember going to church there and always being exposed to music, but I never dreamed I would pursue it to this level. I didn’t have an interest in becoming an artist until we moved to Texas. I was 7 years old at that time and my mom and dad enrolled me in piano lessons. It all started then.
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?
I’m still emerging and learning, but I’d definitely tell those starting out to just start within your circle. Let friends and family know how passionate you are about playing and the gigs will open up. Also whenever I read about someone playing a venue that seems interesting, I’ll just call up the place and ask about their process. Before you know it, you’re building a following.
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
If I make a mistake, hit a wrong key or sing the wrong note I just keep going. Everyone’s human and it’s important not to focus on the negative. It’s all good!!
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
I wouldn’t say I’ve toured, but I’ve definitely travelled to interesting places and been fortunate to be able to perform during my travels. For instance, when I went to my college orientation at Belmont University in Nashville. My mom, dad and I spent a long time on the phone, struggling to get through to the famous and iconic Bluebird Café. We finally got a person on the line and got me signed up to be featured during the venue’s ‘open mic,’ night.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
It’s a lot of social media and word of mouth! I read a lot of music trades and I’m always on the lookout for what has worked for other new artists. I have a great team that is excited to help with my graphic arts, website design and videos. That has all helped with 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?
No doubt… Stevie Wonder!
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
I actually just released my debut single! It’s a holiday song called, ‘Bittersweet Christmas.’ It’s a jazzy ballad that is a reminder to everyone to never take your loved ones for granted. Whether that’s your boyfriend, girlfriend or even your family members or best friend, I’m just trying to say keep those you love close.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
That’s tough. I’m studying music business and that can take me almost anywhere, but non-music related, I think I’d like to become an author and write books!
