Today, we’d like to introduce you to Madeline Russell.
Hi Madeline, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
I grew up in the Fort Worth music scene around inspiring and exciting bands/artists like The Burning Hotels, Calhoun, and Polydogs from early childhood to the point of leaving Fort Worth to study Music Business at Berklee College of Music in Boston. I was at first solely a fan but began to get involved with local artists, whether it was by making show posters or arranging/recording backup vocals through my dad, Sean Russell, who helped me become involved with his bands like Cut Throat Finches and The Nancies. Another point of growth that further connected me in the scene and helped me showcase my love for singing and playing bass was in the Fort Worth School of Rock, where I learned how to perform on stage with peers my age, which allowed me to significantly expand my instrumental and vocal skills.
I am now in 3 projects in Boston: I am the bassist/vocalist for Retrograde88 (Psychedelic-Dream Pop Band), the vocalist for MJA.WAV (Electronic Duo Project), and bassist for Kaia (3-piece Yiddish Electronic Group based in New York). In all of my projects, I contribute creative direction both musically and visually with a focus and love for graphic design and branding, creating social media content, promotional assets, show flyers, and more. I am further strengthening my graphic design/project management skills both in my commissioned-based work and through Berklee Popular Music Institute, an exclusive institute at Berklee that scouts and books artists at major music festivals. We hand-pick Berklee artists to develop, manage, and take to some of the largest festivals in the country, such as Lollapalooza, Governors Ball, Bourbon & Beyond, and more. Additionally, we showcase the artists to Boston locals by hosting a show at Brighton Music Hall in Allston, MA, in mid-April, where I am responsible for the creative direction for all of the graphics used to promote the showcase.
While Boston and Berklee have allowed me to push boundaries and tackle opportunities, the Fort Worth music scene is my home, and I’m excited to represent and give back to the Fort Worth community wherever the music industry takes me.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My adjustment to living in Boston was challenging. I knew no one at Berklee/Boston previous to moving there, and it felt like I had to build a community of my own from the ground up to begin to feel comfortable here. The pace of the East Coast is so different; it was quite a shell shock in itself beyond the mental struggles I faced of loneliness and depression. I had so much desire to make the most of my time at Berklee, and I eventually was able to fester up the courage to take small risks that led to so much more than I could have imagined for myself in my time here. I feel I have more respect for myself after this experience because of my willingness to work through those obstacles and discomfort I originally had in Boston at Berklee, and I think it has inevitably led me to notice my strength, but it was not a linear path for damn sure!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar with what you do, what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a musician and visual artist! I am very passionate when it comes to all things creative, and I am constantly learning new things. Musically I am most prominently a vocalist and/or bassist in the groups Retrograde88 (BOS), MJA.WAV (BOS), and Kaia (NYC), but I am also an aspiring DJ and producer, and hoping to record/release my solo music in the near future. All of the projects I’m in fuse genres that inspire me heavily, to summarize: Dream Pop/Shoegaze, Disco/Funk, Psychedelic Rock, and Electronic music. In Retrograde88 and MJA.WAV, I take a large role in the creative direction, both musically and visually, with my passion for branding and graphic design/illustration.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
You don’t have to know everything! I was so fearful to start to take risks in my teens due to the not-so-welcoming environment I experienced initially as a teenager in music, but if I were able to advise myself back when I was starting out, I would tell myself not to be afraid, to be honest, that you don’t know something, and ask questions and show your willingness to learn. That is so much more of a valuable quality than the A-hole who acts like he knows everything and feels the need to mansplain it to you. I feel like that added so many years of unnecessary fear and expectation within myself in music and life in general, and I would advise someone starting out to never let those insecure individuals hinder your passion!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maddierusssell/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madeline-russell-3403062a8/
Image Credits
Hayley Kaufner
Vu Nguyen
Asher Thomas
Athen Smith
Jess Odonoghue
