Madeleine Rose Witney returns with her new single, Shine, from her upcoming debut EP. We asked her the BIG questions . . .
Speaking about the new release, she says, "Shine by design is an anthem for particularly women but anyone who may be vulnerable in that situation, day or night, to have a kind of angelic figure guiding them home but tragically the fact is it's not safe to walk alone with headphones in because you have to have your wits about you.
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"It's set to a "jolly" tune with intentional juxtaposition. I'm the kind of person who listens to lyrics deeply but I know not everyone. So I like the idea of the intention maybe passing some people by but when hearing the lyric "can this fistful of keys save you on this balmy eve" . . . if you know, you know.
"Maybe this will provoke some introspective thoughts for those who need it and hopefully I'll be able to sing about rainbows soon."
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I was born in in Camden, London.
I like music, a lot.
When I was seven, I demanded to be on the football team at school just because it only consisted of boys. They finally let me, I scored an own goal because I had no idea how it works, I still don't. A bit like my career but I’m better at singing.
How would you describe your music?
Old school/vintage, neo noir, creepy pop.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Bobbie Gentry, Julie London, Kate Bush.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
I snuck into Ronnie Scott’s through a secret door behind a red velvet curtain, which I’m guessing is for staff to have easy access from upstairs. It looked like I had already been downstairs because I had a drink in my hand, so I hopped in a booth and watched Ray Gelato undisturbed, and I felt blasted back in time like I might as well be watching Louis Prima in the 50s.
What was the first record you ever bought?
Calendar Girl by Julie London in a charity shop in Kentish Town, London. The cover of this LP is pin-up shots of Julie in each month's theme. It was all ripped up but someone had taped her back together saving bits of Julie’s skimpy thanksgiving outfit in November. I loved that. The record itself is completely scratched up and pretty jumpy but I still listen to it like that.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Céline Dessberg - Chintamani.
Favourite lyric of all time?
"There’s a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in" - Leonard Cohen.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Army Dreamers - Kate Bush.
Where can people find your music/more information?
New music is coming out soon and will be on all platforms and I’ll be playing a bunch of shows in London. More info here.
Alan Corr
