- Email: neill@outloudculture.com
- Socials: @frazer.live
- @neill.outloud
Breakout Canadian singer/songwriter Maddisun is pleased to offer the digital streaming release of her new album “The Pages” on Thursday, October 2nd – to link with a Toronto release show on the same date.
As the third album from the Cranbrook, BC-based artist, “The Pages” arrives after two lead-in singles (the title track and “Pumpkin Pie), the digital release of “The Pages (Chapter 1)” (an EP teasing the album’s first half), and an initial physical release of the album in July.
The ambitious release strategy mirrors the album’s old soul vibe that is uniquely structured as a deeply personal musical journal. Across 12 tracks – all written by Maddisun with 10 produced by Julian Bueckert, and one each produced by Ian Docherty and Jim Bryson – the album draws from an eclectic blend of vintage folk, rock ‘n’ roll, Southern Rock, and Americana while tapping into influences like Sheryl Crow, Maggie Rogers, Alanis Morissette, Fleetwood Mac, and Tom Petty.
Maddisun explains, “I wanted ‘The Pages’ to feel like opening an intimate journal. Each song is a page from my story, which weaves together love, loss, growth, resilience, connection, and ultimately self-discovery. Being real and raw through my life language of music allowed me to capture moments and give them lasting artistic and living imprints. ‘The Pages’ is about turning our hardest moments into beauty. I want people will leave it feeling seen, uplifted, and connected.”
The nomadic musical adventure for Maddisun has taken her throughout Canada, across the pond to Ireland, and down to Los Angeles. In the past five years, she has released two prior albums and more than ten singles, played over 500 shows including four NXNE showcases and a Folk Canada showcase at Folk Alliance International, and landed a sync deal with Hook & Co to go with endorsements from Aria Guitars Japan, Godin Guitars and Yamaha Canada.
With “The Pages”, Maddisun’s third album is the artist’s most personal work and the culmination of her artist journey thus far and the many colourful experiences along the way.
During the album release period, Maddisun will perform the following Canadian shows:
- September 25th – Halifax at The Carlton – Benefit concert for Elyse Aeryn
(with Roxy Mercier and Angela Saini)
- October 2nd – Toronto at The Cameron House – Toronto Album Release Show
(with Holly Clausius & Thea Koper)
- October 17th – Vancouver at St. James Hall – Opener for Pearl
- October 25th – Cranbrook at Key City Theatre – Hometown Album Release Show
(with special guests Lord Knows)
Maddisun welcome to OLC! Let’s talk about your album, ‘The Pages’ which has been described as a musical journal, with each track like opening a diary. What inspired you to take such a personal approach with this record?
Hi! Thanks for having me.
Music has always been deeply personal for me – a means of connecting back to myself and “coming home”, if you will. So, this album naturally came together that way, but I think it’s my most open and vulnerable work yet.
I spend a lot of time on the road and being a “nomad” travelling to many different places to share my music, often, and mostly alone. So, there is lots of time for “Self Reflection” (a nod to my debut album, hehe) and these experiences are very personal and hard to relate to unless you’re a solo (female) artist following this path. Writing about these experiences is a way of processing.
The album blends folk, rock ’n’ roll, Southern Rock, and Americana. How did you bring those influences together while keeping the album cohesive?
This record definitely leans more into the folk, Americana, and Southern rock world, and I think a lot of that comes from my time spent in Nashville. Being there really brought out those influences in me, and in a way I feel like I’m circling back to some of my country roots. At the same time, what keeps the album cohesive is my songwriting. I always write thematically, pulling from personal stories and emotions, so even with the mix of sounds it all ties together. With this record, I feel like I’ve really started to land on my signature sound, where all those influences meet in a way that feels natural and true to me.
You’ve mentioned artists like Sheryl Crow, Alanis Morissette, and Fleetwood Mac as inspirations. Where do you feel their influence comes through most on The Pages?
Love this question! I’ll list them below like this:
Sheryl Crow – most heard on my album tracks “Amber” and “Big Star” – Southern ‘90s rock
Alanis Morrissette – “Good Plan” and “Like A Rock” – More alt-rock Canadiana-leaning
Fleetwood Mac – “Get Through” and “The Pages” – Funky, groovy, rootsy
Was there a particular song on this album that was the hardest to write emotionally?
“Open Door” and “To Heal” were big feelers for me.
“Open Door” was written after a period of relationships where I felt like I was letting people in too deeply and too fast, without protecting my own heart. Then someone that I dated – that this song was directly inspired by – took their own life. I had finished the song before this happened, so it became even more important to me, and of course it ended up on the record.
“To Heal” is like this softy ballad that I wrote about healing from past traumas, and continuing on your path, knowing that the things that are meant to happen to you, do at exactly the right times. This means hard things too, so you can learn and grow.
You’ve said this is your most personal project yet. Looking back, what “page” of your own life do you think most defined who you are as an artist today?
Definitely, my solo travels. Moving to Ireland alone at 19 and living there was a huge turning point – I went completely on my own and that experience shaped me so much. Since then, I’ve spent time in Toronto, New York, L.A., Nashville, and Vancouver.
Coming from a small town but carrying these big dreams has always felt like living out my own movie. I’ve realized along the way that I often have to go it alone because no one else is quite as bold or crazy enough to take the same risks I do, and that’s become such a defining part of my journey. It can be tough being “solo”, but it’s also what makes my story unique, and I’m deeply grateful I get to do this.
Your musical journey has taken you across Canada, Ireland, and Los Angeles. How has that travel and nomadic lifestyle shaped your songwriting?
I think you can see that this nomadic lifestyle has deeply impacted my music and songwriting, but it has also shaped how my live performances are. I am a big storyteller on stage and sharing these experiences through banter between my songs is something I love to do!
I am realizing more and more – as I go through my career – that growing up rooted in a small town lifestyle and then travelling and searching for bigger opportunities and experiences really helps me to appreciate all the things that come my way. I’m grateful, not jaded, and my stories are unique and moving because I stay positive even through adversity – and a lot of that comes from going through HARD things on the road, alone.
You’ve played over 500 shows. How does performing live influence the way you write and record in the studio?
Yes! I absolutely love being on stage, it truly feels like my comfort zone. That performance energy definitely carries into the studio too. Even when I’m recording, I’m still performing the songs, and I think that’s why my recordings have so much life and personality in them. For me, it’s also a really somatic experience. I’m not just singing, I’m feeling everything through my body.
Writing happens wherever inspiration strikes; sometimes it’s quiet and introspective, just me processing something deeply, and other times it’s this wild rock and roll spark. I’ve definitely been that person recording voice notes in my kitchen, or even in the middle of a street or bar, when an idea hits.
You worked with three different producers on The Pages. What did each bring to the project that helped shape the album?
Yes, this was the first time I’ve worked with multiple producers, and it was such a cool experience. It showed me that no matter who I collaborate with, my songwriting and signature sound always shine through. I used to be nervous about working with more than one producer, but now I’m totally for it!
Julian brought such a warm, devoted energy to the songs we did together. “Big Star” was with Jim Bryson at his studio near Ottawa – he instantly connected with it, and we had so much fun. It was also great working with Peter Von Althen on drums. “To Heal” is the oldest track on the record but one of the most special. I recorded it with Ian Docherty before heading to New York, and I carried that song with me everywhere. It brought exactly what it was meant to – a healing energy – and it was the perfect closer to the album.
The track “Big Star” is set to have a music video. What can fans expect from the visuals for that song?
“Big Star energy! I love this song so much. I feel it truly encapsulates everything I’m trying to say and sound like.
The music video was so fun to make. Julian and I filmed and edited it together. Filming was at my dad’s place out in the mountains in Meadowbrook, British Columbia. We had this 8 ft wooden stay crafted for the video, painted bright yellow. I drove around in my 1976 Chevy Chevette, and just had a blast, showcasing my big personality. Think: classic cars, vintage style, theatricals, and oh yeah, we lit the star on fire at the end of the video. Watch out for the official release on YouTube on October 17th.
You’ve landed endorsements with brands like Yamaha and Godin, along with a sync placement. How do opportunities like these impact your path as an independent artist?
These kinds of opportunities are so reaffirming and honestly just so awesome! As an independent artist, it takes a lot of hard work and tiny little seeds planted over time to make things like this happen, so when they do, I feel really accomplished. It’s such a great reminder that the effort and passion I put in are paying off.
Huge thanks to the amazing people and teams I’ve worked with (The Hook & Co, Michelle, Yamaha Canada, Aria Guitars, Pignose Amps, and Simon Godin/Godin Guitars) .
You’ve also played major showcases like NXNE and Folk Alliance International. What’s been the most validating career milestone so far?
Yes, both are so amazing!
A showcase and milestone that really was important and stood out was my official showcase at Folk Music Ontario conference, this time last year (October of 2024). It was the first folk conference I’d ever been to, and I totally fell in love with the community. It was such an honour to showcase, and I really made a LOT of important connections that will help me to sustain my career. I would be there this year, but I got the incredible opportunity to open for PEARL on October 17th in Vancouver!
After releasing such a personal body of work, where do you see your music going next?
I am really in the market of meeting more fans and lovers of my music. I think with this album, they will find me, or rather we will find each other! Of course, I hope the industry recognition comes too, but the fans are what keep me going, so THANK YOU, LOVE YOU!
Finally, when listeners sit down with The Pages, what do you hope they feel and take away from the experience?
I hope listeners come away knowing that going it alone is okay, that you will find your people, and that my music can offer an inspiring and uplifting voice along the way. Music has helped me get through basically everything, so if my songs can do that for someone else, that’s all I could ever ask for. Don’t be afraid to chase your big star dreams, whatever they may look like. Live for yourself and for the people who lift you up and help you be the best version of yourself. Radiate genuine energy and embrace your journey.
For more about Maddisun, please visit MaddisunMusic.com or find her on social media:
Instagram: @MaddisunMusic
Facebook: @MaddisunMusic
TikTok: @maddisunmusic
X: @MaddisunMusic
Spotify: tinyurl.com/MaddisunSpotify
YouTube: tinyurl.com/MaddisunYouTube
