Like musicians all across the world, local singer songwriter Madison Mueller has had to find unique ways to get her music heard.
“The last two years have felt a lot different … it’s been a lot of trying to figure things out,” the 21-year-old Barrie native said. “It’s not stopped a lot of musicians, which is awesome, but it’s definitely put a damper on live music, which is a huge aspect of getting yourself into the world and getting people to know you, but you find ways around that and I feel I’ve been able to do that over the last year.”
Despite the pandemic-related restrictions, Mueller has worked hard to continue moving her career forward, having released a new single “Sweet Bitterness” earlier this year. The song, which she said she wrote during the provincial lockdown, is a nostalgic look back on the innocence - and joys - of being a kid.
“It’s about the idea of missing childhood and coming to terms with the fact you had a really big excitement for things, and it’s hard to find that as you grow up,” she said. “It’s very nostalgic, and has an outlook of wanting to feel that brightness again.”
Over the last year, Mueller has also been honoured with five International Singer Songwriters Association (ISSA) nominations and five Josie Music Awards (JMA’s) nominations this year.
She received the Rising Star of the Year Award from the ISSAs, making it her fourth ISSA award in three years - and her newest single was nominated for song of the year at four separate indie award shows.
“This year, I wasn’t really expecting much because I couldn’t travel and do nearly as much as I wanted to, but it was really exciting to still get to be a part of that and see that people are still very interested in what I am doing.”
Mueller initially started out with more of an “indie-rock” style to her music, but her music has shifted to a more folk-inspired sound.
“I love creating a story with what I am writing, and I feel that folk (music) really has a good way of displaying that.”
As for her next chapter, Mueller said while the uncertainty of the world right now makes it tricky to make any concrete plans, she would like to get back to performing live again.
“There’s definitely an aspect to that I really miss,” she said, adding she has also been busy writing and creating new music. “It’s really a take it day-by-day thing right now, but I am doing whatever I can to stay in it.”
For more information - or to hear Mueller's music click here.
