Madeaux is a Miami based singer, songwriter, producer, DJ, and sonic visionary. He has a unique sound featuring industrial house, techno, and rock. Madeaux has received placements on Spotify editorials like Mint, Dance Hits, Friday Cratediggers, and Apple editorials like danceXL, Future Dance Hits, and New In Dance. He’s currently working on his next album, which is set to release around October and has recently dropped a single from the upcoming project both titled Something Real.
He sat down with SPIN to talk about his favorite song in his catalog, what separates him from other artist, inspiration for infusing rock and electronic, and much more. Stream Something Real here and dance the night away with his SET below.
Check out Madeaux’s electrifying SET below! Want more SETS? Head over to SPIN TV to keep up with all the latest and greatest DJ/producers breaking through the electronic sphere.
Who is Madeaux and what do you stand for?
Madeaux is a vehicle for self-actualization. The music and songwriting for this project is meant to awaken people; to spur reflection and reevaluation, to empower.
Tell us about your sound – where does your style originate from and what have been your biggest visual, social, and sonic influences?
When I started Madeaux I was sampling R&B making downtempo, sensual grooves. In the time since then, I have gone through UK garage, IDM, vogue, club, house/techno, hip-hop, industrial rock, and electro.
Visually, I’m inspired by my dreams. I approach visual art like a dream sequence; a collage of seemingly disparate, disjointed imagery that collectively tells a story.
Socially, I used to be inspired by hedonism; I lived it as hard as I could. Lately, I’m more into politics. I always felt that hedonism was liberation, but I believe this perspective is co-opted and commoditized by reigning economic and political interests. Spiritually, I feel like these vested interests are pushing a slavery to desire, and simultaneously are working to sell the lie that this slavery is liberation. I am passionately against this because my mission is one of self-actualization, one of empowering people and awakening them to their sovereignty.
Sonically, I love Depeche Mode, NIN, Queens of the Stone Age. Lots of goth & new wave, dark wave, cold wave… a whole lot of waves!
Was there a definitive turning point to your success? When did you realize the magnitude of your impact within the industry/community?
It’s hard for me to really say what success or impact is, it’s so relative. Success for me is telling better stories, conveying them with greater emotional weight. Impact is having a conversation with a listener on IG where they say that the new record made them feel anything at all.
Which artist most influenced your unique sound?
No single artist really, it’s just a patchwork of influences over the last ten years. That said, Dave Gahan of Depeche Mode has a special place in my heart.
What inspired you to infuse electronic with rock?
I find electronic music has a tendency to sound anonymous from one song to another, whereas I feel rock is so personal. Rock bands aren’t making songs to seamlessly mix with other songs; they have their own unique message and vibe, or at least significantly more-so than the average electronic artist. Electronic music is great because it’s a canvas on which to do anything; I like to bring in rock because it’s a distinct personality.
What is your favorite song in your catalog and why?
My favorite song that is out is called “Say It”, I feel like I found my signature mix between sensuality and sexuality.
My favorite that isn’t released yet is “Near Life Experience”, the album title track. It was written about an inflection point where I changed my life for the better.
What separates you from other artists?
I’ve been doing this for a decade independently and I never compromise my vision. I create singularly and exclusively what I want to create. Music is a process of intimate self-discovery for me, not a consumer-driven exercise in capitalism. Beyond that, I create all my visuals/design, throw my own event, Limbo, which you can watch on the video (credit to G-Code for the production), and run my label, Limbo Records.
In what ways have you pushed yourself beyond existing self-imposed limitations?
I wanted to sing my whole life and was very shy so it took time to get to a point where I was confident to do so on my music, to say what I wanted to say (hence why “Say It” is a favorite for me). Another moment was getting into all the visual design and branding, which required a lot of work not only to get competent in the programs associated but to conceptualize my visual identity in general. The next big step is creating a live show.
What’s next for Madeaux?
I will roll out my album, “Near Life Experience”, track by track until October or so, and then I will begin touring a live performance.
What do you wish for the future of electronic music? In what ways would you like to see it evolve?
I hope that we get to a point where it’s more than just a party. I hope that we witness a paradigm shift where electronic music becomes a vehicle for a message that is more than “we all like to dance”. I hope we get to the point where people come together and use all our wild energy for something lasting and constructive.
Any last words for the SPIN-verse?
I appreciate the feature, I’m just a lone wolf out here trying to make some music so thank you.
