A Chat with Maddy Storm (06.10.22)
Known for her genre-defying music, UK-based Maddy Storm is a singer-songwriter that can hold you in the palm of her hands – and quite effortlessly so. We speak with Maddy Storm about her new EP Forced Extrovert, what music means to her, future plans and celebrity crushes.
OSR: What drew you to music?
Storm: My hatred of 9-5 retail jobs.
OSR: What does music mean to you?
Storm: It means that I don’t go mad.
OSR: What can you tell us about Forced Extrovert? Is there a backstory or theme?
Storm: The concept behind the title Forced Extrovert relates to my experience as a musician, as a child I was extremely shy, but being an artist requires the capacity to be outgoing and social in order to perform and share what I make, so it is something that I had to learn. My aim was for Forced Extrovert to be an experience, it opens with a reversed sample of the third track, ‘Spit Me Out,’ in a bid to welcome you into what’s to come. I put hours and hours into creating a body of work that best represents where I’m at as a producer and artist and more importantly as a person; it’s an intimate self-portrait (which I mirrored in the album
artwork).
OSR: What is your creative processß
Storm: I don’t have a strict creative process as I’m always open to ideas in whatever form they appear. Sometimes I’ll just catch a melody, or I’ll write a hook in a dream and start from a blurry 3am voice note. Most typically I start within Logic Pro and programme a beat or sample some kind of sound that I’ve recorded that day (there is a sample of my microwave in my tune ‘Spit Me Out’), then I’ll add chordal interest and a melody from there. I just trust my gut and do what feels right in the moment, whether that be producing a trap beat to let off steam or picking up my guitar and channelling Joni Mitchell.
OSR: What do you hope people take from Forced Extrovert?
Storm: I hope that people find parts of themselves within it, feel seen and validated by it. If neither of those things applies, I hope they want to turn it up louder and listen on repeat.
OSR: If you could change one thing about Forced Extrovert, what would it be and why?
Storm: Its charting position.
OSR: Did you have a celebrity crush as a kid and if so, who?
Storm: All three members of Busted.
OSR: What is your worst habit?
Storm: Grinding my teeth in my sleep.
OSR: What advice would you give artists trying to enter the music industry?
Storm: Put in the work and ask for help when you need it. Be kind to yourself and everyone around you – we’re all trying our best.
OSR: Do you have any future plans?
Storm: More music, more shows and manifesting a Mercury Prize.
Many thanks to Maddy Storm for speaking with us. For more from Maddy Storm check out her Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
