Meet Maddy Davis | Artist, Songwriter, & Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maddy Davis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maddy, putting aside the decision to work for yourself, what other decisions were critical to your success?
Definitely deciding to write for me and not for others was the most important decision I’ve made for my career. I started songwriting at 10 because I loved it and needed it as a way to express myself. For a while, though, I got lost in other people’s expectations of me and my career, and writing became something I feared instead of something I cherished. I felt like I had to write about certain things, that I had to make a certain amount of songs, that I had to exist in some type of way, etc. Over quarantine, however, I got rid of any energy in my life that made me feel that way and started writing songs completely for myself and about what I was feeling. This was definitely a game-changer for me. It allowed me to find my love for songwriting again and start writing songs that meant more to me than any song I had ever written prior. I also realized that in doing this, other people resonated with my songs more too, which is always the most rewarding feeling. The first project I’ve written with this mindset is finished and should be coming out early 2022!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a singer, songwriter, and producer and I’ve been making music since I was in elementary school. I started producing music in high school when I was still throwing shows in my basement and trying to figure out who I was and my purpose as a songwriter. It took me until recently to figure that out, after years of trial and error, and I just finished a body of work that is the most honest music I’ve ever made and the music I’m most proud of.

The biggest challenges I face as a songwriter are definitely the frustrating nights filled with doubt and uncertainty. Learning to power through these in exchange for honest music was undoubtedly the most important lesson I’ve learned throughout my career. My cousin Daniel Donato, also a musician, once said to me “Passion is everything. Work is the way to make anything happen, it seems. Lots and lots and lots through the dark hours.” I was 17 when I heard this, and it didn’t make sense until I first experienced a night of existential dread and complete frustration for what the future held for me as an artist. Since then I’ve learned how to move forward and keep working through the moments that I feel so drained and uninspired. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to avoid this feeling, but I can now convert any negative feelings I have into determination: Determination to make music that helps me understand myself better, and as a result, simultaneously help others understand themselves better too. Writers of all mediums are really just translators, putting our emotions into words. If I can make just one person feel understood, then I’ve done my job as a songwriter.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’ve only been living in LA for less than 2 years, but I like to think that I’ve explored enough to host a legendary trip for someone. This is what I’d make sure we do:

Eat:
– We must eat at Birdies in DTLA for breakfast sandies,
– Mr. Masala has the best Indian food ever
– I’m a USC student so I would for sure bring them to the USC village and eat at Cafe Dulce or perhaps admire the long line at our local Trader Joes
– For the LA experience, I would probably suggest they go somewhere boujee like Nobu or Jon and Vinny’s (I would sit this one out for obvious reasons)

Do:
– Drive up to Point Dume in Malibu
– Hike up to Griffith Observatory and watch the sunset over LA
– Rent a convertible mustang and drive down the coast to Palos Verdes
– I’d make them drive around the Hollywood Hills to look at the big houses with me
– We would also take an obligatory touristy beach day and go to Venice or the Santa Monica Pier and get matching i <3 LA shirts

Other:
– I currently live in a house with 10 of my best friends who are all also creatives, and we plan on throwing backyard shows soon. I would definitely plan a show around their arrival and if that isn’t possible, there’s a high chance one of my friends is playing a different show so I’d bring them to that.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have so many people I could / want to recognize in my story but one of the most important people in mine is my sister. I’ve followed her lead my entire life, and I owe so much to her. When we were little and taking piano lessons, she decided she wanted to try singing too, and because she did, that, of course, meant I also had to try. Since then singing/songwriting has been my greatest passion with nothing even coming in a close second. She’s done graphics for me, shot past music videos and album covers, been front row at every show, and filled so many other roles on top of being my best friend in the world. On her own, she is also an incredible artist (DJ_DAVE), and everything she does and makes blows my mind. She is my biggest fan and I will absolutely always be hers!

Website: https://www.maddydavismusic.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maddyjdavis/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maddy-davis-966252189/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/itsmaddydavis

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maddyjdavis

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfGkpRM7uYJhOBpDspxje9A

Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0N1XijsQLptT42ERtHfKsZ?si=eZs50p_TTteIPrLWgvaQ_g&dl_branch=1

Image Credits
McCabe Slye Eric Daniels Kyla Rain Sarah Davis