Bill Madden | |
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Background information | |
Origin | Costa Mesa, California, United States |
Genres | Singer-songwriter, folk rock, indie rock |
Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar, piano |
Years active | 1995–present |
Labels | MADMUSE |
Website | www |
Bill Madden is an American singer-songwriter, also regarded as an indie musician and an activist. Madden is best known for his environmental song and music video Gone which was in rotation on television networks, MTVU in America and MuchMusic in Canada. As a short film and music video, Gone also won numerous film festival awards [1] and commendations. [2] Madden's music is typically labeled as alternative folk rock or neofolk. Vocally, Madden's voice has been described as a "deep breathy voice [that] serenades listeners," [3] full of range, [4] melodic, and "reminiscent of Jeff Buckley." [5] In his lyrics he often uses metaphor, verse and poetry, to articulate his socio/political and spiritual themes. [6] Madden currently resides in the Lower East Side / Chinatown neighborhood of New York City.
Madden was originally signed by Paul Atkinson, former guitarist for The Zombies. When RCA shelved Madden's project, Madden co-founded MADMUSE and released Chillin' In Hades in 1995 and Samsara's Grip in 2004. [7]
Madden expresses anger towards the harm caused by guns and violence in community. From the album Chillin’ In Hades, in Here And Now, which debuted on MTV's Real World Boston (Episode #20), [8] Another recurring theme of Madden's is poverty and materialism. In Here And Now from the album Chillin' In Hades, Madden sings "hungry people need jobs and shelter." In Reconcile, which debuted on MTV's Real World Boston (Episode #14). [9] In 2004, Madden was among the minority of musicians who challenged President George W. Bush. Madden spoke out in opposition to the Bush administration's invasion of Iraq in print and on the 2004 album Samsara's Grip in Om Tat Sat , Consequence of War, and World Just Is. Wim Boluijt of Real Roots Café writes "Madden ... placed his finger on the world's most vulnerable spot when, in Dangerous Game from Gone (2006) he asked: 'How many barrels of / Blood does it take / To fill an SUV / These days'." [10]
On the title track of his 2014 album New Religion, Madden rails against unfettered capitalism and greed, telling a story about a family having everything taken away from them: "The white shirts / Arrived today uninvited / Without any shame / They took everything... / Money, more money, more money, more / Hail to the kings of malfeasance... / God is greed, meet the new religion." [11]
In a 2014 interview, Madden spoke out for the need of more women in leadership roles in the world, "… when it comes to inequality, historically, no group of people have been discriminated against more than women. Men have been fucking up the world for thousands of years. It's time we give more women a chance to lead." [12]
In 1995, Madden launched the progressive news website activist360 which curates news stories, opinion pieces, periodicals, and research with a focus on current and breaking news dedicated to environmental issues, and climate change. [13]
Madden's music is influenced by Eastern Philosophy, the teachings of Krishnamurti, and existentialism. Shrink The Guru, from the album Samsara's Grip, reflects a Madden struggling with his thoughts. As noted by Justin Kownacki of Splendid Magazine, "The inherent paradox in Madden's work, and in Eastern philosophy in general, is summed up in World Just Is." [14]
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