Saturday Spotlight: Embracing Honesty and Versatility with Madhavi Devi

This past week, I had the pleasure of sitting down with 21-year-old singer-songwriter, Madhavi Devi, from Jackson, New Jersey. In this interview, we discuss the ups and downs of being an independent artist, their recent independent tour, and their latest single “Loving June.”

The Early Influences

In the world of music, inspiration often comes from unexpected sources, igniting a passion that propels individuals on a creative journey. For Madhavi, the spark that ignited her musical aspirations came from none other than Taylor Swift. Reflecting on her journey, she shares how her love for Taylor Swift's music and captivating performances pushed her to pursue her own musical dreams. This artist's story is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and artistic versatility.

"I love her. I love, love, love her." Madhavi fondly recalls receiving Taylor Swift's Fearless album as a Christmas gift at a young age, an event that laid the foundation for her musical aspirations. Watching Taylor Swift's Fearless Tour documentary sparked a desire to take the stage and captivate audiences with her own music. Armed with an old guitar, she embarked on her journey to learn to play songs like "Speak Now." With passion and determination, she honed her skills on the guitar and later added the piano to her repertoire. Songwriting became a constant companion throughout her life, filling countless journals with heartfelt lyrics that captured her emotions and experiences.

The Reality of Being an Indie Artist

The dream of becoming a successful musician is often paired with the reality of financial constraints and the challenges of being an independent artist. “I think that's, you know, one thing is like, the disparity between like people who have money to just spend on a dream versus, people who have to say, ‘Okay, this is like my budget, like, this is what I have to work with.’”

"It's not easy at all," she shares. “I think being an indie artist, now is just like, it's a lot of planning, there's a lot of thought that goes into it. And of course, there's always planning. “When am I going to release this single? What am I going to do, this? What am I going to do that?” Despite the difficulties, she remains driven by the belief that her talent and hard work will lead her to greater heights.

Madhavi has also just wrapped up an independent New England Tour. Taking charge of organizing and executing this tour, Madhavi and her band had a successful tour, despite the usual touring bumps in the road. “I was playing a show up in Vermont. And it was like there were like, 5-10 People max in that in that bar. And this middle-aged couple came up to me after and they were like, you deserve to be heard by 1000s. Like, keep going, like, keep going, like, you're going somewhere, I promise. And it's like, those little moments are like, okay, like, moving along, like we're going somewhere.”

Embracing Creative Versatility

Madhavi’s music embraces a genre-fluid approach, refusing to be confined to any one style. Her musical range spans from indie pop to folk and even ventures into rock territory. “And I think it also plays into, just, you know, creative versatility. Which I love. I love that. I encourage every artist to tap into something that they wouldn't have otherwise tapped into.”

“I think if there's anything that I continue to return to, as far as writing goes, it's just honesty, I think what makes good art is if it's honest art, and sometimes that means it's like really f*cking ugly, and like, nasty. The next song that I think I have coming out is called Sour and it is just, it's about betrayal. And it's in the dirt. It's in the mud. It's in your face. It's like, this is what that feels like. And I think, you know, capturing emotion is, for really, all that it's worth is something I strive to do a lot in my music, whether it's nostalgia, or anxiety, or like, regret or some level of being apologetic, like, I think my music taps into all of that whatever song you're listening to. And that's my favorite kind of music, too.”

Madhavi finds joy in experimentation, finding inspiration in artists like Maggie Rogers, Gracie Abrams, and Phoebe Bridgers, who fearlessly traverse various genres and explore different emotions in their songs. For her, the key to great art is unfiltered honesty, capturing the raw and authentic emotions that resonate with listeners.

The Collaborative Process

In the pursuit of creating her unique sound, collaboration plays a vital role. Working with producer, Connor Hansen, she brings her ideas to life and discovers new dimensions to her music. “It's a great, great collaborative effort, because we really just ricochet off of each other, and kind of like, our, we're definitely on the same wavelength, whether we know it or not, sometimes.” Their collaborative effort allows them to feed off each other's creativity and take their compositions to places they might never have imagined. Trusting in each other's instincts and exploring uncharted territories together, they find the beauty of artistic vulnerability and the richness of creative balance. "It's so nice working with somebody else. Because, you know, they're just things that you would never have thought of. And it's like, it's humbling. It keeps your ego in check. It keeps the art, art. Yeah, I love it. I love working with him. It's fantastic.”

Madhavi’s journey is a testament to the power of inspiration, versatility, and dedication. From her early admiration for Taylor Swift to her unapologetic pursuit of musical honesty, she remains steadfast in her dream to connect with audiences through her art. Embracing the challenges of being an indie artist, she finds motivation in the little moments of encouragement that keep her moving forward. With each release, she showcases her musical versatility, fearlessly exploring different genres and emotions.

As her latest single, "Loving June," graces the airwaves, the artist eagerly anticipates the future. Fueled by passion and armed with honesty, she plans to release more music, expressing her creativity in all its fluidity. This indie artist is a shining example of how talent, determination, and willingness to take risks can lead to a unique and successful musical journey. For those dreaming of a path in music, her story serves as an inspiration to embrace their own artistic versatility and create from the depths of their souls.

Madhavi on her latest single, "Loving June."

On July 21st, a much-awaited moment arrived for this talented artist as her song "Loving June" was released. Bursting with excitement, she couldn't contain her love for the track. The song, she describes, finds its place within the realm of Pinegrove and Maggie Rogers, leaning towards the folk side of her own writing. Despite its simplicity in lyricism, "Loving June" became a captivating lesson in the art of packing a powerful punch within minimal elements. She fondly reminisces on the creative process, sharing that she and producer Connor Hanson wrote the song together. Gathering inspiration from a guitar part, she scrolled through her notes app, where she had penned down snippets of ideas for future use. The collaborative session birthed a truly remarkable and fun composition that even included her playing the banjo, adding a distinctive touch. The track turned out so well that it became the namesake for the first half of her upcoming indie tour, a true source of pride and excitement for the artist. With more songs in the pipeline, including the possibility of an EP, she eagerly looks forward to sharing more of her musical journey with the world.

In her creative partnership with producer Connor Hanson, the artist finds a perfect harmony of artistic vision and expertise. The two worked side by side, molding and shaping the song "Loving June" at Connor's house. Starting with a captivating guitar part, they embarked on a journey of exploration and experimentation. The artist's habit of jotting down couplets and ideas for future use came in handy as they workshopped the first verse into a complete song. The result of their collaboration was a masterpiece that brought joy and satisfaction to both of them. Adding to the brilliance of the track, the artist's banjo-playing skills infused a unique flavor into the composition. The song came together seamlessly, becoming a source of immense pride for everyone involved in its creation. As the artist reflects on the session, she can't help but cherish the excitement and fun that filled the air that day.

“I really love this song. It feels super in the realm of Pinegrove. Maggie Rogers. It leans more into the folk realm of my own writing, which is interesting because the lyricism is just simple. . . I think that song is like a lesson more like how much punch can you pack in as little as humanly possible, which was really, really fun.”

The release of "Loving June" marks a significant milestone in the artist's journey, and she eagerly looks forward to the future. With multiple songs lined up for release in the upcoming months, her fans can expect more delightful music that showcases her versatility and creativity. The possibility of an EP is a particularly thrilling prospect for Madhavi, as she envisions a collection of her songs coming together to form a cohesive and powerful narrative. As she continues to collaborate with producer Connor Hanson and explore new horizons in her music, she remains driven by her passion for her craft. With each song she releases, the artist adds another layer to her musical journey, leaving a lasting imprint on the hearts of her listeners. Her dedication and enthusiasm are palpable, making her an indie artist to watch out for in the vibrant world of music.

You can follow Madhavi on Instagram @madhavi.devi and find more on her website here.

Stream "Loving June" on Spotify here.