Music / Get To Know
Get to Know: MĀDŁY
If you’ve visited Trinity Centre, popped into the Gallimaufry or spent the weekend at Boomtown Fair – chances are you’ll have run into MĀDŁY. Likewise if you’ve joined a jam session, checked out the scene’s newest hip hop collective JAMU, or been to an emerging artist show… the list goes on.
MĀDŁY has far too many strings to her bow. As well as heading up her own band and lighting up jams with her distinctive French flow, she coordinates Trinity’s music programme, collaborates widely and is dedicated to supporting emerging talent. Bristol24/7 sought out this enigmatic yet omnipresent figure to find out more.
MĀDŁY had a busy summer, includin gperforming with her band at this year’s Shindig festival – photo: Sam Woolacott
How did you start out?
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“I guess like most people I’m a shower singer, and would badly rap trying to mimic my favourite rappers. I programmed the music in an English pub back in France and was often attending the open mic. One thing leading to another, I ended up onstage and enjoyed the feeling.
“The day I moved to Bristol in 2015, I went to James Morton’s residency at the Gallimaufry and Celestine was on stage: I was mind-blown by her talent and the quality of the night. Afterwards we all went to the Leftbank, and I somehow ended up on stage with Celestine who made me feel comfortable until she left me with the band.
“I was terrified, but feared the shame of giving up even more, so I improvised in French and people seemed to enjoy it. I’ll always remember that night. I started to go to jams regularly, discovering my voice and style.”
The Gallimaufry offered a supportive scene for MĀDŁY, encouraging her to start her own weekly jam – photo: James Koch
Where did the music take you from there?
“Often going to jams, I met a lot of talented musicians. Bristol is full of them – that’s why I moved here. But I never thought about trying to properly get involved. I did a few of Ruth Royall’s sessions back in the day, and was invited a few times by Waldo’s Gift to their residency at the Galli.
“One day, my dear friend who owns the Gallimaufry, James Koch, said he wanted me to start a night of my own: the Forth and Back weekly hip hop jam was born in 2017. It ran for three years.
“Then, as we all know, 2020 happened, so to stay sane I made music in my bedroom with a loop pedal. I released my first track (Re)tomber with Dr Meaker in 2020, followed by my debut EP The End of Me, in collaboration with four different producers including Selecta J-Man and Purpose.
“After that, James thought it would be nice to have an EP launch, but being alone on stage performing to backing tracks didn’t suit me. He knew I’d make it work, so booked the gig at Breaking Bread on the Downs.
“I somehow put a band together two days before the gig, and we performed to a sold-out show. I’ve been playing with them ever since: Alex Veitch (Yetii), Harry Stoneham (Waldo’s Gift) and Joe Milkinson (Cousin Kula). I feel so lucky to have a tight band who gets me, who I feel comfortable to improvise and get weird on stage with.”
MĀDŁY put together a band for an EP launch just two days before the gig; they have just released their latest EP, The End of Me – photo: James Koch
How would you describe your sound?
“People describe the MĀDŁY band as neo-soul, nu-jazz and hip hop. But I’ve been part of 140, bass, grime, and drum and bass projects to name a few, with artists like Kreed, Gardna, Komposa and Rider Shafique. I listen to all kinds of music, I refuse to stick to one genre to perform; if the melody or the beat hits, I’ll jump on it.
“Currently, my main project is my live band – we’ve just last week put out our latest EP, The End of Me. I also host a weekly hip-hop jam called Family Business at the Gallimaufry, and I’m part of a hip hop collective orchestrated by Mr Fitz called JAMU, put together for Shambala last year.
“I have occasional projects like doing the opening ceremony on Origin stage at Boomtown, celebrating 25 years of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, 50 years of J Dilla and random jumping up to improv on friends’ sets. And then there’s my full-time job of music programme coordinator at Trinity.”
While fronting a band might seem to come naturally to her, MĀDŁY says she originally never dreamed of getting onstage, let alone of performing to vast festival crowds or collaborating with well known artists and producers – photo: @siansmusicbox
What’s your creative process?
“Annoyingly, I find it easier to write for other people on collabs than working on my own stuff. Probably the anxiety of putting my brain on the table.
“I want to be true to myself with what I write: talking about my past, struggles, traumas, but also how things do get better eventually. I want to make songs for people to realise they’re not alone in the madness, as well as happy tunes (I’m still working on these).
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“I never thought I’d ever be on actual stages playing my own music, supporting acts like Roy Ayers, Arrested Development, Omar, Lady Blackbird; playing in front of 40,000+ people at festivals and feeling like I belong.
“My passion has always been about helping musicians grow. I started a monthly night called Seedling Sessions back in 2016 to showcase emerging talents. I’m hoping to run it regularly again to help out grassroots musicians and venues.
“Bristol is a very special place to be. Support your local artists and businesses.”
Listen to the MĀDŁY band’s latest EP at memadly.bandcamp.com/album/the-end-of-me
Main image: Jody Hartley
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