By Jim Barber
Mountains are spectacular. Mountains are inspirational. Thrust up by violent tectonic forces extra highly effective than something we will think about tons of of tens of millions in the past, mountains are monumental examples of the timelessness of the Earth. From a distance, there may be an epic, awe-inspiring magnificence to them. Up shut, their jagged edges, steep slopes, sheer cliffs, deep chasms, and a way of menace, for the uninitiated.
Mountains are usually not for the faint hearted. The mountains of The Kootenay area of British Columbia are lush, verdant, teeming with life. Nature in all its kinds is on full show, wild and untamed. There’s magnificence, however there may be additionally ruggedness, there may be hazard as predators stalk their prey, the danger of fireplace from a careless camper or an on-rushing thunderstorm can inflame not solely the forests however anxiousness in those that are hardy sufficient to reside, work and play there.
For individuals who known as this a part of Canada house for generations, ‘mountain life’ is solely the traditional lifestyle. Of us have tailored and developed talent units, methods of considering, philosophies of life, and a wholesome respect for his or her environment that are handed down from mum or dad to youngster. A particular form of human is cast by dwelling on this wild and generally untamed surroundings amongst the tall timber, the traditional rocks and stones. One learns to understand the closeness of household, the reliance upon one’s neighbours. These individuals don’t ‘tame’ the mountain surroundings, they co-exist with it.
It could appear a very dramatic, and even perhaps melodramatic introduction to an article a couple of musical artist, however to be able to perceive somebody, anybody, on a deeper and extra profound stage, it helps to know one thing about their environment and the values it imparted to them. Creativity and innovation are half and parcel of life on the market, having a strong sense of 1’s self, of understanding that life is sweet, however that you must work for that good life. When you’re a child, you’re yard is a spot of marvel, exploration and journey.
For that is the place 28-year-old Maddison Keiver, recognized by her artist title as Maddisun was born – in Cranbrook. B.C., to be exact. Her music is an extension of her persona, which is one full of ardour – for all times, for journey, for actual, genuine experiences, for making her personal approach, in her personal approach. She even calls her explicit model of music, ‘Mountain Music’ a type of people, singer songwriter, rock and pure Canadiana that’s as emotionally expansive as it’s compellingly melodic. It’s infused all through every tune on her compelling new album, The Pages, which was launched independently on July 18 in each bodily copies and by way of obtain from Bandcamp.
However there’s one thing deeper at work in Maddisun, which comes out in dialog in addition to by her music, and even by following her lively and wondrously effervescent social media channels. There’s an old school longing to be immersed on this planet, with all her senses alive and taking in each second, each distinctive encounter.
Going towards the grain is a well-worn expression for somebody who chooses to take the harder, however in the end extra rewarding path. Others would like the extra trendy phrase of taking possession of 1’s personal future. Maddisun has finished this her whole life, however not in an smug, entitled or petulant approach. Quite it comes from a spot of freedom and contentment, of confidence in her personal beliefs, selections, intelligence, expertise and hard-earned knowledge.
“I’ve been pursuing music for greater than 10 years – in all probability nearer to fifteen now. Fifteen years in the past I used to be writing songs and fascinated about and desirous to do music however not as a enterprise. I’ve at all times been type of pursuing it so I’ve at all times simply finished what I had with what instruments that I had with what I knew from my upbringing. My upbringing may be very grassroots. It’s all about traditional rock music, tenting, campfire singing. My dad sings and performs guitar and taught me how you can play. My aunts are singers, my grandpa was a musician as nicely – none of them skilled, however wonderful and at all times enjoying music. And all they actually knew was onerous work, they only knew how you can present for his or her household and do what wanted to be finished,” she stated.
“All of them undoubtedly may have finished one thing with it, however it’s not that simple. Being the place I’m at, after all, I’m grateful that I’ve the web and the power to attach with individuals. However the message that I’m placing out there may be not essentially a contemporary message. I’m on the market on social media speaking about data and speaking about my previous automotive and my journey and my Bohemian life. I’m utilizing my trendy age instruments to get throughout a extra traditional message. Expertise is only a option to get my voice on the market as a result of that’s what I’ve to work with now. However I grew up listening to vinyl and CDs. I’m sufficiently old that if I needed to take heed to music you needed to work or do chores and save your cash and go purchase the CD. And after I purchased it I cherished it, I learn all of the lyrics and I put the posters up on my wall. And that’s what I need to encourage. There are little ladies that may come to my reveals and younger ladies and that’s the expertise I would like for them. I would like it to be this thrilling factor, not simply taking a look at their display.
“My household is within the forestry trade. Nobody knew something concerning the music trade or arts. Once I determined I used to be going to do that as a full-time profession, my dad type of obtained it as a result of he’s a musician. He is aware of that I’ve what it takes, however my mother didn’t absolutely get it. She’s nonetheless considering I’m doing this on the aspect. She desires to ensure I’m okay. However I simply have this unwavering perception that I do know it’ll work out. I’ll at all times get by, even when it’s by the pores and skin of my tooth, I’m at all times ready to pay my lease and get by. With this new report, I’m hoping to construct on that slightly extra. I need to monetize. And that’s additionally an enormous a part of why I’m doing the bodily factor, as a result of persons are going to purchase the vinyl, however the data that I put all this time and power into.”
Maddisun understands that as her profession continues to develop it’s going to turn into extra advanced, busier and there will likely be extra calls for on her time. However she additionally is aware of her associate and producer/collaborator Julian Bueckert (Bonecrusher Collective) has her again, and is somebody she will bounce each inventive and enterprise concepts off of. It’s a life and artistic relationship that, very like every little thing else in her life, advanced organically and with splendidly completely satisfied and prolific outcomes.
“I’ve at all times been writing and I put out a string of singles in 2023 and 2024 together with ‘Crawl,’ and “Feelin’ It Once more’ in addition to “Evergreen’ and ‘All or Nothing.’ Then I utilized for some Issue Funding and it didn’t come by, fortunately as a result of actually the undertaking wasn’t proper. I’m glad that it didn’t come by as a result of it then led me to the place I’m now. I used to be in Nashville on the time and I had all these songs that have been cohesive and felt ‘collectively.’ I knew then I may do an album. And all of it type of fell into place as I began type of forming a relationship with somebody that I went to highschool with, who’s a musician from my city. He and I began hanging out once more and writing collectively and making music. His dad was really my music trainer and my choir director in highschool. It was all fairly random: we met at a gig and began hanging out after which began relationship after which began making actually cool music collectively,” Maddison stated of Bueckert.
“He simply stated, ‘why don’t I simply produce your new album? Why don’t we simply do it collectively?’ And all of it fell into place, like I stated. I believe The Pages is the most effective music that I’ve ever finished. It’s clearly my finest songwriting as a result of I’m extra mature now as a author and an artist. But it surely’s additionally the most effective producer I’ve ever labored with so far as sound high quality and a spotlight to element. Julian produces a whole lot of bands and artists within the Kootenays, the realm the place we’re from. I at all times knew he was a tremendous producer; he’s been producing his personal music since highschool. There’s only a few of us working musicians on the town as a result of Cranbrook’s fairly small. So I at all times knew he was good. We simply by no means frolicked till the final couple of years when all of it occurred. It’s turn into a tremendous partnership and now we’re doing stuff for different artists and making stuff for movie and tv, which is type of a aspect factor. It’s going nicely and I really feel like I’m actually coming into my very own as an artist and songwriter.”
As talked about above, Maddisun embraces an analog, retro vibe, and once more, these phrases might not sum them up. There’s a very mid-Seventies aesthetic to every little thing from her coiffure to her garments, the earthy tones and vibrant hues, to her plan to launch the brand new album not solely in CD and vinyl kind, but additionally cassette. However this isn’t an affectation or a gimmick – there may be nothing false or insincere about it. She may very nicely be a time traveler!
“I’m releasing The Pages on bodily copy. I’m going to have bodily copies out there for buy solely as a result of I need to veer away from streaming. You’ll have the ability to purchase it on Bandcamp to have it in your cellphone and obtain it as a part of the package deal while you purchase the bodily. I believe this concept of free music streaming, making it so accessible, I don’t prefer it anymore. I’m over it. It’s not supporting artists, and I believe it’s our time now to reclaim issues. So, I’m reclaiming the artist’s function by solely releasing the album bodily. A few of it’s going to go on streaming, however if you wish to take heed to the complete album, you must purchase the bodily,” she stated, absolutely understanding her non-conformity with present trade practices.
“Most of my followers will like this concept. I do know my followers, I do know the individuals who take heed to my music, so I do know what they need, and they’re like me, they’re inventive thinkers, and creators themselves, so we wish tangible music. And for individuals who say they don’t have something to take heed to them on, corporations are nonetheless making CD gamers and report gamers and even cassette gamers. Simply because you’ll be able to’t purchase a brand new automotive with a CD participant any extra doesn’t imply you’ll be able to’t take heed to the report. If individuals need that MP3 or Wav recordsdata, they will nonetheless get the obtain on Bandcamp and pay the $15 for the digital recordsdata. We will go on and on concerning the issues with streaming and that it’s principally the consumerist approach of listening to music. It’s the Wal Mart approach of listening to music. And I’m not about that. My music isn’t about that. It simply makes full sense for me to go on this path.”
As befits somebody who embraces every little thing tangible, bodily and analog,The Pages refers back to the pages of a e-book, or journal, with every tune being a distinct entry and Aspect A and B being chapters.
“For this report I keep in mind at one level type of freaking out as a result of I didn’t have it altogether. All of the songs match collectively sonically, however what’s the message? After which I confirmed Julian the tune ‘The Pages.’ And he thought straight away that that is in all probability a single, and that it was actually, actually good. However I didn’t hear it. All of us assume totally different songs are going to be hits and everybody has their very own opinions. So that truly helped me as a result of that tune had such a powerful message with the storyteller, songwriter, journal type of vibe. And that began every little thing else coming into place for the opposite songs. Like ‘Large Star’ the place there’s actually a lyric that claims, ‘wrote it in my journal, I’m going to be a giant star at some point.’ There’s all these little items that got here collectively and pictures and concepts about storytelling and pages, paper, and I spotted this can be a e-book and this can be a story I’m going to be inform. There’s 12 songs, and I cut up them into the 2 chapters, one on both sides. And it additionally influenced the paintings on the album. I’ve obtained all this previous textual content and previous paper and previous writing like from the Renaissance or from folklore. Which is what storytelling and writing songs is, it’s folklore. But it surely’s additionally my journal, my ideas however as an alternative of writing them down I’m placing them out into the world.
‘Pumpkin Pie’ was the primary single launched from The Pages, and comes from a previous relationship expertise that didn’t pan out as Maddisun hoped.
“That one actually got here out of an expertise I had relationship somebody who didn’t like me as a lot as I preferred them, which has tended to be a recurring theme as a result of I’m an anxious, hooked up particular person in relationships, though not a lot anymore. I assume I used to be tending to go for those who weren’t actually proper. And I’d be trying to find their consideration and never getting it. In order that’s type of what the tune is about,” she stated.
“Additionally, the man was like 5 years youthful than me. And while you’re in your 20s that’s extra like 10 or 15 years. So when the man is in his late teenagers or early 20s, he would possibly as nicely be 12. He was really 21 and I used to be 26. So ‘Pumpkin Pie’ is like this very cheeky tune. I keep in mind I sat down at my desk at some point and I used to be simply writing and I’m sitting there on their lonesome, and it when that occurs my thoughts begins to wander to humorous issues. A variety of my songs type of began as jokes. It’s like a jumble the place I’m processing these bizarre experiences and one thing hit me and the tune simply began popping out of me. It was finished in about quarter-hour from begin to end.”
One other tune based mostly on a less-than-ideal relationship expertise is ‘Open Door.’
“That tune was one other one which I wrote by a semi-relationship I used to be going by, and it will get again to that recurring factor of not getting let in by the particular person absolutely, or not feeling seen. I keep in mind I used to be relationship somebody and I used to be feeling like they have been scared perhaps that I used to be an excessive amount of. And I used to be saying, ‘should you simply let me in, I promise it received’t be an excessive amount of.’ After which on the finish of the tune, the refrain form of modifications and it’s me speaking as a result of then I spotted that I used to be really letting too many individuals in who have been the flawed individuals,” she stated.
A pleasant little diversion is the 44-second quantity known as ‘Little Colors’ which on the album leads instantly into the subsequent tune, known as ‘Amber.’ It caught the eye of the writer of this piece for a way in such a brief span of time, it actually captures the essence of who Maddisun is as an artist and as a human being.
“These are just like the little jingles that I do after I begin writing, I generally name them my ditties. It was only a fast little factor I did. I’m not saying it was a throwaway tune, however it was only a fast little factor I did. And it was virtually like a theme tune for a TV present or one thing, that’s what I imply by jingles. And I wrote that riff however it got here from simply an train that I’d do on guitar to type of heat up or mess around with. After which I began to put in writing lyrics and the lyrics have been me explaining that I’m multidimensional. I’m all the colors you’ll be able to see. I’m yellow, completely satisfied and vivid. However I’m additionally these deep blues. So it was this metaphor of me being many various colors. Many alternative variations of myself.”
‘Your Muse’ is a riposte to a person from one other sort or relationship – one other musician, making an attempt to ply their commerce in the identical western Canadian scene as Maddisun. And it’s not going in addition to he hoped, and so offended at his personal failures, like several emotionally stunted man-child, he took to criticizing the younger feminine singer songwriter who had the temerity to not solely be actually good, profitable, nicely revered, however she additionally did so with out accepting his ‘mansplaining’ concerning the music trade.
“This man used to play bass for me right here in my hometown. And he’s type of a scorching shot right here in Cranbrook I assume, or he thinks he’s. However he has what I’d name a really attention-grabbing persona. We had form of a falling out after I began working with different musicians and he obtained actually, actually upset with me and phoned me at some point and simply freaked out at me on the cellphone, yelling and saying ‘this isn’t the way it works in the true world. You don’t know what you’re doing! You don’t know how you can deal with a band,’ and all these items. I used to be like, whoa, sorry that I’m hiring another person to play in MY band. Like we didn’t have a contract or something. You’re not formally in my band perpetually. I keep in mind being fairly upset about it, after which I wrote the one verse, that claims, ‘took a name from a person who stated to me you don’t know what you’re doing,’” she defined, speaking about how she is twisting the which means of the phrase muse to imply amusement, as within the object of somebody’s amusement or fascination.
“And that form of factor occurred just a few extra occasions the place I’d simply have individuals try to inform me what to do, all males. The title ‘Your Muse’ wasn’t even actually particularly associated to that as a result of I wasn’t their muse, I wasn’t inspiring their artwork, however it was virtually like they will’t look away from what doing, like I’m their experiment on a petri dish or one thing, the place they’re like, ‘what’s Maddisun doing? What’s occurring in there? What’s she doing along with her enterprise?’ So it’s virtually like they’re inspecting me, so I’m, in a way, a muse for what they want they could possibly be doing. And naturally there are people who find themselves simply haters. I’m a pleasant particular person and I don’t have many enemies, however I do have haters and people who decide me lots. So it’s a distinct which means of the phrase ‘muse.’ There’s a deeper which means to it that not everybody would actually perceive. However, you already know, the appropriate ones will. And this has been type of a standard theme within the 12 months main as much as this album as a result of I began to get extra standard and I began to see success and most of this backlash has come from principally middle-aged males, but additionally from some youthful musicians round right here too, guys principally.
“There was one other man who was a sound tech or sound man. He messaged me simply to inform me that I’ve shitty sound and folks aren’t coming to see my reveals as a result of I’ve shitty sound. And that each one that mattered was the technical aspect of it. He known as me technically challenged and I used to be like, ‘are you severe?’ Does he assume that’s what individuals come to reveals to see? Additionally, my sound shouldn’t be dangerous. I’m not an fool. I’ve been doing this my entire life. I used to be in a music college; I’ve my Royal Conservatory coaching. I’m not an untrained musician. He simply needed to discover one factor to select aside. And this perspective shouldn’t be ending. It’s not going away. And it’s the worst inside the music trade. It’s not the skin individuals, the individuals coming to the reveals or listening to the music, it’s individuals inside the trade which might be saying this stuff. The individuals who come to my reveals, they adore it. They might not know something concerning the music trade, however they’re at all times telling me that my music makes them really feel good. These are my individuals.”
Independence and self-reliance is deeply imbedded in Maddisun’s DNA, as is a curiosity to see the world and an understanding that life is to be skilled. Mix this with the precocious want to be the centre of consideration at household gatherings, the need to placed on reveals, to sing, to play music to precise herself, and it’s no shock that journey has been an enormous a part of her life. At one level, barely 20 years of age, she alighted off to Europe to reside, work, and once more in a retro time period ‘discover herself.’ Dwelling on her wits, her work ethic and her expertise – three qualities that Maddisun possesses in preternatural abundance, she not solely immersed herself within the varied inventive and cultural landscapes, however finally determined to cool down within the fertile and creatively fecund land of poets and playwrights – Eire.
“I simply had this loopy have to go to Europe. I used to be obsessive about Europe, however with Eire, one thing simply known as me. I don’t know, it could be a planetary factor. I’m into astrology for positive, so I adopted the decision and went there. I didn’t actually do music, however I used to be writing and I used to be enjoying slightly little bit of guitar. I actually was simply discovering myself, if you’ll, and I lived there for nearly three years. I travelled round a bunch of various nations, like 20 totally different nations. Once I moved there, I used to be 20, again in 2016,” she stated, including that again then the cellphone service and her personal cellphone weren’t precisely high of the road, so, backpack on, she would actually do the old school wanderer’s strategy – ask locals the place to go and how you can get there.
“I labored in a pharmacy in my hometown after I was 17, 18 and 19 and saved all my cash, about $15,000. So I form of retired for 2 years after I went abroad. I went to Eire and was having a extremely enjoyable time and I wasn’t fearful about cash in any respect. I’m a fairly good solo traveler and I’m additionally fairly frugal as it’s, and will be much more so after I must be. So I used to be by no means struggling there in any respect. However then I dated an Irish man for some time and obtained a piece visa and labored for the Financial institution of Eire doing technical help; I used to be fixing bank card machines and debit card machines and doing fairly nicely. I keep in mind thriving in that job and that’s the place my tech abilities got here into play and I spotted I used to be fairly good at it. I used to be climbing up the ladder and thought I may do that perpetually. However then my visa expired and I broke up with the boyfriend and I knew I may stick it on the market, however I additionally realized I needed to come back house. I felt like my time over there was over. I additionally knew I couldn’t absolutely pursue my music over there as a result of it’s onerous to begin up a enterprise anyplace, let alongside outdoors of your private home nation.
“I had really began writing music once more earlier than I left. I downloaded the packages I wanted onto my laptop computer the place I used to be dwelling in Dublin, obtained a USB microphone and began making music. It was round this time that Spotify was changing into a factor and I figured I may put out music on Spotify and I put out slightly EP. However then after I realized I needed to go all in on music, I knew I wouldn’t have the ability to do it in Eire”
Most of the songs, together with the ethereal ‘Mountain Air’ ended up being launched on what would turn into Maddisun’s first album Self Reflections, which was launched in 2020.
As evidenced by her time overseas, the mixture of confidence in a single’s personal knowledge and one’s personal path, mixed with a formidable sense of practicality, ingenuity and fearless autonomy (there’s that mountain life upbringing coming into play!) has led Maddisun to eschew a lot of the company music trade infrastructure of managers, reserving brokers, and so on. and so on. Sooner or later, merely to alleviate the workload, she might have to herald these types of pros however it’s going to undoubtedly be on her phrases and for her functions.
“Sooner or later I’d prefer to be represented by a reserving company. Proper now I’ve to e-book my very own excursions. I don’t assume I want a supervisor, however I may use an assistant to do all of the admin.. I imagine all the most effective sorts of issues simply occur to me as a result of I’m on the market and I’m open to the alternatives whether or not it’s in Toronto, in New York, in Nashville, good issues occur to me as a result of I’ve that type of persona the place I’m very a lot a go getter, however within the music trade you additionally must be a great dangle, somebody that folks need to be round. I’ve a great vibe, I’m a great dangle and I find yourself assembly good individuals and making these connections,” she stated.
“What I actually need proper now could be an assistant. I want a roadie. I want somebody to be on the highway with me as a result of it’s so exhausting. Somebody like a tour supervisor who may help with the admin and logistics and take a few of that load off me.”
Now that Pages is out, the touring has begun – with out a tour supervisor, however with a ton of enthusiasm over the brand new materials. Maddisun will likely be hitting each the east and west coasts of Canada, in addition to the massive centres of Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver nicely into the autumn. Additional afield, she stated the U.Ok. is on the horizon for 2026, however that she is open to going anyplace – in every single place in reality – the place individuals need to hear her.
These journeys, these adventures, these experiences will little question turn into new ‘pages’ in what’s already a outstanding and robustly noteworthy life.
For extra data on Maddisun’s upcoming reveals and different updates go to her social media channels or
Jim Barber is a veteran award-winning journalist and writer based mostly in Napanee, Ontario, Canada, who has been writing about music and musicians for greater than 30 years. In addition to his journalistic endeavors, he works as a communications and advertising specialist and is an avid volunteer in his group. Contact him at jimbarberwritingservices@gmail.com.
