We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Maddie Ettrich a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Maddie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

My friend said she hated my song and it was the best compliment I have ever received. At the time I was at university, still honing my craft as a musician and songwriter. I was in the midst of a breakup and decided to release my first ever single. The song was melancholy and nostalgic. It was by no means my best work but the emotion behind it was palpable. I used it as an outlet for my own healing but I didn’t realize the impact it would make on the little community around me.

So then it happened. My friend walked straight up to me on campus and said the words “I hate your song.” Shocked, I asked why. With a sigh she responded “my mom is going through a divorce and she sings to it in the shower every morning.” A week later, I had another friend come up to me during work. With arms reaching for an embrace, they exclaimed “I am going through a breakup and your song helped me.” It was through these interactions that I learned the power of songwriting.

This year began my re-birth as a musician. I released my debut single as a Nashville artist called “Decaying Candles.” The song describes the nostalgia of youth, exploring how memories can be long over but still present in our lives. Yet again, I was reminded of the power of song. The music I create is personal to my own experience but it is so magical when you find that listeners find it personal too.

“Decaying Candles” is one of a four part EP set to release at the end of 2022. The EP describes love at a party gone wrong. My next single off the EP “Everybody Loves Cake” comes out this October 28th!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

25-year-old Maddie Ettrich is a Canadian born indie-pop singer/songwriter based out of Nashville, TN. After moving to the U.S., Ettrich spent her teens in the Northern Virginia area where she began writing and performing her own music on a weekly basis. Maddie’s unique blend of exciting melodies and honest lyrics have struck a chord with local audiences.

It’s her party and she’ll make you cry too. Inspired by personal stories of love, youth, and party mischief, Ettrich is in the midst of releasing a four part song series detailing the tumultuous events at party on a single night.

Her debut single “Decaying Candles” was released July 2022, followed by “Hold Me Like A High” on August 2022. Ettrich has an exiting pop sound with a deeper darker flavor. Her witty lyrics and whimsical writing keeps listeners coming back for more. Her third song in the series “Everybody Loves Cake” is set to release October 2022.

Have you ever had to pivot?

As an artist, pivoting is the only way to navigate through the complex maze of the music industry. You have to keep throwing ideas at a wall until something sticks. This is especially true when releasing new music, I have a few pieces of advice that friends have given me along the way. For most, I had to crash and burn before I truly understood. This has become the foundation of how I navigate.

The first, burning yourself out will not get you to your goal faster. We are told that you should spend every waking moment dedicated to your goal but the reality, I learned very quickly, is that we can only push ourselves so hard for so long. You still have to enjoy your daily life while working to reach the life you want.

The second, not everyone will like your music and that is a good thing. Art is about eliciting a reaction, if no one had an opinion of your music then it wouldn’t be art. I made that mistake on my very first single release. I was so caught up in trying to get everyones approval on the sound and look of my single, I forgot what I wanted. The more people I asked, the more lost I felt. It can be scary to rely solely on your own opinions, but when it comes to creating something so personal, there is no wrong answer.

Finally, have other things that bring you joy. When transitioning from making your art a career it can be overwhelming. What once was considered an outlet, is now a source of stress. Finding other hobbies or pass times is so important. It helps to remind yourself that dreams are important but they are not the soul source of happiness in life.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Finding a community of artist and being able to connect with people over my music. It has been an amazing experience to be bring my EP to life one song at a time. Through the process of creating songs like, Decaying Candles, Hold Me Like a High, and Everybody Loves Cake (Expected Oct. 28), I have met the most talented and wonderful fellow musicians and writers who are able to bring their own set of experiences to the table. To bring an idea from concept to life and see the joy that it brings, is one of the best parts. There is always a moment in the studio when everything comes together. The vocals, production, and all the little extra hidden layers. We stand back to listen and look at everyone and then we all freak out.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.maddieettrich.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maddieettrich/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/maddieettrich?lang=en
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCupb-AKWA8lwV5zrrjMDavw
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@maddieettrich?lang=en

Image Credits
Photography by: Meredithe Ettrich