Maddie Regent is an emerging Canadian singer based in the US who blends introspective storytelling with bold, catchy pop melodies. With influences ranging from Nelly Furtado and Avril Lavigne to Lana Del Rey, her sound strikes a perfect balance between nostalgia and innovation. In this interview Maddie shares with us her creative process, the inspiration behind her single Turtleneck and the journey that led her to gain confidence in her songwriting. During our conversation, she also gives us a glimpse into the Canadian music scene, the challenges women face in the music industry and her upcoming projects, including the release of her album On the Phone with My Mom. Discover more about Maddie’s music, her artistic influences and the advices she has!
Your new single Turtleneck came out recently. How was the creative process and what was the inspiration behind it?
I made this song with my boyfriend, Cade Hoppe, and it is meant to be a song about loneliness and yearning for a past relationship. We started with bare bones production and wrote down some cool lines we’d always wanted to use in a song. I wanted the song to be visual–like a series of images–and I also wanted it to be kinda unserious. I imagined my college self alone on a Friday night romanticizing a f*ckboy and it was fun to write this one from that headspace, haha.
What’s a small detail in the production or lyrics that you hope listeners will notice?
In the second pre-chorus there are some hidden crowd vocals that me and my boyfriend recorded. We were just shouting things like, “outer space” over 20 times while recording that day, haha… our neighbors were definitely judging us.
If someone had never heard your music before, which song should they start with and why?
From this album, I would recommend The wolf. I think it’s a really good bridge between my last EP and this album. It’s fun and upbeat, but really vulnerable at its core.
You describe yourself as the daughter of Nelly Furtado and Avril Lavigne. How has their artistry influenced your own music and who are other artists who inspire you if any?
I love strong female pop vocalists. Growing up in Toronto, Nelly Furtado and Avril Lavigne were always playing on the radio and introduced me to the edgier side of pop music. I’m also a huge fan of Lana Del Rey. I love her lyricism. Born To Die was such a formative album for me as a young girl. I really look up to Lana and her artistry.
When did your interest in music start?
My interest in music started with music theater, which I studied growing up. It was where I found my voice and my love for performing. I started writing songs at a young age but it took me a while to gain the confidence to share my original music with other people. Playing a character felt safer than sharing my own emotions in my songs. I still find it scary sharing so much of myself, but the more I write and release music the easier it becomes!
What was the first song you ever wrote and what inspired it?
It was called Cry and I wrote it when I was 10 years old. I wrote it because I was upset that my mom had sent me to my room–those emotions were very real to me at the time though!
If your upcoming album On the phone with my mom had a perfect setting to be listened to, what would it be?
Laying out on vibrant green grass next to a lake on a sunny day with headphones on—low UV, of course.
What kind of person do you imagine your music resonating with the most?
An introverted homebody who overthinks every interaction they have with people. I am them and they are me.
How would you describe the Canadian music industry?
I think Canada does a great job of really supporting their artists and lifting them up. I’m really proud to be from there. My career has primarily been in the US though, which does give me an opportunity to reach a wider, more global audience.
Have you ever found any difference as a woman?
I personally have been lucky to work with really supportive people in the studio, although unfortunately I have peers that can’t say the same. Being a woman in an industry that likes to treat them like they are worthless after 30 used to be a source of constant anxiety for me. I always felt like I was falling behind. I’ve since gotten over that and I’m just enjoying the journey.
What are your future projects? We imagine releasing the album!
I’m always making new music and have started working on my next project. I’m also working on visuals for this album and putting together my live set!
Do you have any advice for our readers who would like to work in this field?
Trust your taste! If you like it, someone out there will too.
You can follow Maddie Regent here and listen to her music hereunder: