We were lucky to catch up with Madeline Rae recently and have shared our conversation below.

Madeline, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

I think about this all the time. It’s tempting to look at individuals who work for large companies with provided health care benefits, steady routines, and traditional income sources and wonder if the grass is greener. What would it be like to wear only one hat and work 8-5 Monday through Friday with weekends and holidays open? Thinking back, I’ve really never had a traditional job. I worked as a barista, a nanny, and a worship leader in college part-time, and then post college, I joined the Yachting industry as a stewardess and entertainer. I remember seeing my friends post pictures at the office while I was living onboard a motor yacht in the Caribbean and realizing how different my work-life looked from theirs. I worked all hours of the day as well as most holidays, and hardly anything was routine. Things were always shifting and changing. Now, I balance freelance yachting with my music career as a singer-songwriter and recording artist, and that is anything but traditional. However, I fall more in love with my life every day. I am not bound by anything. My life is my own, and it is full of creativity and adventure. I get to do what I love and make a living while I’m at it. There is nothing wrong with those that choose the more traditional route. I know the artist life isn’t for everyone. It definitely takes A LOT of determination and discipline. Thankfully, though, I could not be happier with this life I’ve fallen into. Every morning, I awake to a new adventure on the horizon.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hello, my name is Madeline Rae, and I am a singer-songwriter, performer and recoding artist based in Nashville, TN! I am originally from a little country town in Texas outside of Houston called Willis. I grew up with a musical mom, so singing, dancing, and playing instruments were inevitable at our house. I began writing songs and harmonizing from a very early age, and spent hours tinkering around on the upright piano we had in the living room. Soon after, I started singing in church on Sunday mornings and performing for school events and functions. Before I knew it, Music had woven itself into my identity. In 2018, I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Business with an emphasis in Song-writing from Dallas Baptist University. After college, I joined the private yachting industry as a stewardess and entertainer where I had the privilege of performing for guests across the Bahamas, the Caribbean, and the Mediterranean in addition to the States. I moved to Nashville in 2021, and have been balancing life as a musician and freelance stewardess ever since. I have recorded 4 songs in the studio, and have released 2 singles, ( “City Lights” and “Fight” ), with 2 more set to release early this year! My songs live in the Acoustic/Indie/Pop vein blended with elements of Jazz, Soul, and R&B, and walk a delicate line between authentic and synthetic sound. You can expect to find intricate, layered harmony and haunting melodies that move. I tend to write music that makes me feel something, and I hope it makes you feel something too. My dream is to use my music to speak truth and connect through experience and story. My hope is that my vulnerability within the songs I create will channel a sense of belonging, encouragement, joy, and healing both for myself and for the listener alike. I am so proud to live in such a creative place where I can share my heart through song and it is received with open arms. Thank you for being here and getting to know me and my story.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

To me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative is seeing this teeny tiny idea- this little, vivid spark of inspiration- take shape into something tangible, something alive, something real. And from there, it becomes something that speaks to people- something that moves and enlightens, and encourages and comforts. This idea that came out of MY head that was shaped by MY feelings and MY experiences suddenly comes to life and becomes a part of YOUR feelings and experiences. It’s amazing. This simple, little thing I created out of nothing has now created a lasting impact on someone. That is, by far, the most rewarding thing.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I think it’s hard to fathom just how heavily we as artists rely on the support of our fanbase. If you think about it, our income isn’t fulfilled by a steadfast company salary. It’s based on YOU, the consumer. Without your support, your likes, shares, streams, ticket sales, merchandise purchases, etc, we are no longer able to create the music/art we love. Your support is EVERYTHING. If you really like something someone is creating, it helps so much just to pass word along to a friend, or buy a copy of the newest release on vinyl. You hold all the cards, friends, and we are so very thankful for you!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mraemusic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mraemusic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MRaeMusic/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCouz0mV5iIfIZUb4zOjd4ww
• Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/67mpOX2oaHm2W4FYs8t610?si=GNKAfJPWShiNr2EOtwoePg