Artist Of The Week #311 - Madeleine Rose Witney
This week’s Artist of the Week is Kentish Town-born singer and Soho storyteller Madeleine Rose Witney - who has just released her EP ‘From Now On’.
Rooted in the dimly lit jazz bars and glitter-streaked corners of London, Madeleine Rose Witney's songs are vivid short films in song form. A self-taught singer, she found her calling sneaking into Camden venues as a teenager, mimicking the greats like Julie London and Lena Horne, and forging an identity through vinyl, velvet, and vibrato.
But 'From Now On' is a deeply personal promise. Inspired by a letter left by her late aunt, it marks the moment Madeleine stepped out from cover singer to artist in her own right.
"The songs I wrote for myself stayed in the shower," she admits. "But this EP... it's the first time I'm putting my own stories out there. It's for her. It's for me. And it's for anyone who's ever felt like they were just a little too much for the room."
From the shimmering but sinister 'Shine', a song about women walking home alone at night, to the bittersweet 'Shut Up & Kiss Me', a patchwork of the sayings that defined her closest relationships, the EP is unafraid to contrast the cinematic with the broken.
She took a moment to talk to us about how the EP came together.
Hey there Madeleine, how are you? So your EP is out now – how does it feel to have it out there?.
Hey, great thanks! Scary, exciting and rewarding!
It is called ‘From Now On' – what is the meaning behind that?
‘From Now On’ is a phrase that kept cropping up in conversations and when I noticed people saying it, it felt constant, not in a laborious way but in a deeply interesting way. I became fixated on it, on the weight it carries. There’s something so definite about it. It’s said with strength and hope, but also sadness, disappointment, and anger. “From now on, I’ll never do that again.” “From now on, I won’t keep giving that part of myself away.” It holds multitudes - and it captures the overall feeling of this EP perfectly, I think.
While writing this project, I had stepped away from the ‘jazz chanteuse’ stages and was focusing solely on my original material. ‘From now on’ as a phrase felt like it reflected that turning point. Leaving my jazz singer life behind and the beginning of something new, simultaneously a full stop and an open door. Which is exactly what this EP is for me.
The EP is also a preface to my debut album, which I hope to release next year. ‘From Now On’ is the title of one of the songs that will appear on the LP - a quiet nod to what’s coming.
Basically, I can’t imagine it being called anything else, it just feels perfect in all ways.
Where was it recorded? Any behind the scenes stories you are willing to share with us?
It was recorded at 5db which is a studio but also the label I’m signed to. Unfortunately, I’m saving those stories for my memoir.
What are the key influences behind the EP?
Bobbie Gentry is probably one of my biggest influences, as a whole. I find her musical journey and her general story fascinating (If you don’t know Bobbie's music – listen! If you don’t know her story – look it up!)
She seamlessly travels through genres making her music (to me) pretty genreless / genre fluid. It’s just Bobbie Gentry vibes. I would love if someone said that about my music.
Other than musically, a huge influence is the juxtapositions in life and the characters I have met along the way.
If the EP could be a soundtrack to any film – which one and why?
Jurassic Park – joking. That’s hard because I feel like my choices already have such great soundtracks but..
Probably Blue Velvet – David Lynch because it’s one of my favourite movies and it touches on the darkness of life but wrapped in such artistry that it doesn’t feel too intense.
Or Ghost World – which is about a weird girl getting into a weird situation which feels very me and very this EP.
Do you have a favourite lyric on the EP? If so, which one and why?
‘Hansel and Gretel ain’t got nothing on you son’ is a pretty funny one. About my ex flatmate who lived on a diet of burnt toast, burnt sausages and Jack Daniels. Every time he would come away from using the toaster he would leave a crumb trail from the toaster to his room and every time it amazed me how much could fall off one plate.
‘As we play this secret game, I could take her loss as my gain’ is a more serious one. Representing life as a chess game and the sliding door effect, depended on the moves.
Now the EP is out there – what next for you?
Well, I’m not sure! I’m hoping to get out playing it and traveling around with it a little bit while finishing off the Album. Nothings set in stone so follow me on socials @madeleinerosewitney to get more accurate answers and all the live updates.
