The Music That Made Me - MADDYXP

As part of a new series, someone will be sharing their life through the music that shaped them. This week, we talked to MADDYXP.

The song that changed my life - A Case of You by Joni Mitchell and The Girl from Ipanema by Stan Getz.

I first got to play music with an old junk guitar that my father brought home. I didn't know how to tune it properly until after months of playing it. I think I was maybe 11 years old. 

It didn't take me long to get on stage after studying a few chords by myself, and A Case of You was always included in my setlist. I was too young to understand what the song really meant but loved the warm loneliness and sentiment that this song would bring. I began to sing that song, whether on stage or not, and that's how I started doing music. 

I started to learn songwriting as well, but it wasn't satisfying at all. I couldn't make a proper portfolio and was not interested in learning the basics of the keyboard either. I was just idling in the corner of the practice room, singing random jazz songs from a book. Then one day, when I was singing The Girl from Ipanema by Stan Getz, my piano teacher listened to it in secret. Then she encouraged and supported me to take auditions for college.

If I didn't get into college, I probably wouldn't have been a professional musician by now. I really appreciate the great song and my piano teacher, who made me to be who I am now.

Song that reminds me of my childhood - Limp by Fiona Apple

When I look back on my life before I got into making music, I always think of Limp by Fiona Apple. It's a song that hurts me mercilessly. Through this song, I've felt shock and catharsis. I learned that not every song needs to be kind. Being young and melancholic, I didn't know about the idea of 'transcendence' then. I've learned a lot from this song. 

The song I want to be played at my funeral - Lovely Day by Bill Withers

I've written in my will that I don't want to have a funeral. But if I had to, I would want Lovely Day by Bill Withers to be played. I've always liked it, but it felt breathtaking when I heard it playing on a show called After Life Angry Man. I have no idea how my death will feel. For some, it might be heartbreaking. For others, it could be a relief. And for others, it will mean nothing. But I hope this song will be played, and those who are left will live in peace and happiness. 

A song that makes me cry - Broken by Jake Bugg and Jinsei Ichiro by Misora Hibari.

I used to sing or listen to both of these songs to be healed from the sadness of breakup and loss. Broken is a song that reminds me of a friend who passed away. I like to listen to it when I want to think about that friend.

I sang Jinsei Ichiro at my grandfather's funeral. We were really close; he was my favourite family member. 

One song that you have made that has significant emotional meaning - Hyperballad by Bjork

 I always say that Bjork gave birth to me and Fiona Apple raised me. That's how much they and their songs have meant to me. I can't explain with words the feeling this song gives me, but I hope that I can express it with my music one day.

It was good to look back at myself through this interview. Thanks, and I hope you've enjoyed reading it.