Interview & Article by Andy Cantu

Canadian singer-songwriter Maddie Regent has been making a name for herself in the indie-pop scene since she released her first single in 2021. With her new album in tow, she’s ready to be the next big thing. Maddie has released four singles in anticipation for her new album to invite listeners into her world of melodic dream-pop. Her debut album On the phone with my mom comes out on May 16th, and is set to be a deeply personal introduction to Maddie Regent.

You’re set to release your debut album On the phone with my mom in May. What has the creative process been like, and how does it compare to that of creating your first two EPs?

Maddie: “This is the first project I’ve started with the knowledge from the beginning that I wanted to create a full body of work. The EPs were really good collections of songs I made during a certain point in time that ended up being placed together in a meaningful way, but I knew I wanted to make this an album from the first song we made. It really changed how we approached it and how we worked. From the production to narrative songwriting, we worked really hard to make all the songs feel like they were from the same world and same context. It was really freeing actually, because I felt the story didn’t have to end with the end of a specific song.”

Explain the title 'On the phone with my mom.’ How does it connect to the themes of the album?

Maddie: “I wanted to capture the feeling of anxiety about growing up, and coming into my own as a girl and woman. Being on the phone with my mom was a constant through this period of time, and still is. It’s a tribute to her, because what a privilege. But it's also about girlhood in general.”

The album is co-written by your boyfriend, Cade Hoppe. What is it like making music with someone you have such a personal connection with?

Maddie: “It’s really freeing! Being able to dig deep and be vulnerable in a safe environment allowed me to write songs I never would’ve been able to push myself to finish on my own.”

So far you’ve released four singles from the album: 'The wolf,' 'You could break my heart,' 'Sleeptalking,' and now 'Turtleneck' this month. What made you choose those songs to represent the album?

Maddie: “I think they represent the sonic world of the album as well as the songwriting style. I wanted to showcase the difference in my sound when compared to my previous EP. With this album we had access to more organic instruments and strings. I wanted to showcase the “cinema” if you will.”

Were there any songs on the album that almost felt too personal to release?

Maddie: “Yes! I’m actually nervous about it, but also feel empowered to use what it’s about to help more people. It’s called “Miss Virgo.” And I can’t wait for people to hear it.”

What do you hope fans take away from this new album?

Maddie: “That they aren’t alone in their anxiety…and the key to loving yourself is accepting yourself first.”

How do you feel you’ve grown creatively since the release of your first EP, MISS REGENT?

Maddie: “I’ve grown so much! I think I feel more empowered to take risks when it comes to experimenting with the pop genre. MISS REGENT is so important to me, and I’m so proud of those songs. But my goal is that if someone were to look at my discography, they’d see the journey in my writing and vulnerability.”

Did it take you a while to find your signature sound, or did you always know what kind of music you wanted to make?

Maddie: “I think it took a while to find the part of pop I felt I could really get behind as an artist. This album truly feels like the closest thing to my ideal spot in the genre. It’s pop, but it’s influenced by a lot of other genres and anchored by storytelling. That’s where I feel the most me when I perform.”

Will fans get to hear the album live on tour anytime soon?

Maddie: “Soon! That’s my goal for the summer. I can’t wait to perform these songs with a live band and connect to people all over. It’s a dream of mine for sure!”

Maddie Regent

Alessia Cara

Full Circle Boys