Bill Madden (musician)
Bill Madden | |
---|---|
Costa Mesa, California, United States | |
Genres | Singer-songwriter, folk rock, indie rock |
Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar, piano |
Years active | 1995–present |
Labels | MADMUSE |
Website | www |
Bill Madden is an American singer-songwriter, also regarded as an
Musical Career: Original Indie
Madden was originally
In September 2014, Bill Madden released his fifth studio album, which was recorded with long-time partner, multi-instrumentalist/producer Billy Mohler. The album cover and insert features the artwork of Mexican artista plástico Héctor Falcón.
Activism and Environmentalism
Some of Madden's frequent and recurring themes in his music include the quest for spiritual fulfillment, inequity between the wealthy and shrinking middle class, a plea for ethics and accountability of politicians and business leaders for the welfare of the global community as a whole, and calls against the damage being done to the environment. With the U.S. and global economic collapse in 2008, from the 2006 album, Gone, Madden presciently writes in the song What in the World: "I see the human cost / Lives ruined, jobs lost." In the title track Gone, Madden is tough on politicians and writes: "Mother Earth's a mess from pollution and war."
Madden also expresses anger towards the harm caused by guns and violence in community. From the album Chillin’ In Hades, in Here And Now, which debuted on
Another recurring theme of Madden's is poverty and materialism. In Here And Now from the album Chillin' In Hades, Madden sings "hungry people need jobs and shelter." In Reconcile, which debuted on MTV's Real World Boston (Episode #14).
On the title track of his 2014 album New Religion, Madden rails against unfettered capitalism and greed, telling a story about a family having everything taken away from them: "The white shirts / Arrived today uninvited / Without any shame / They took everything... / Money, more money, more money, more / Hail to the kings of malfeasance... / God is greed, meet the new religion."[11]
In a 2014 interview, Madden spoke out for the need of more women in leadership roles in the world, "… when it comes to inequality, historically, no group of people have been discriminated against more than women. Men have been fucking up the world for thousands of years. It's time we give more women a chance to lead."[12]
In 1995, Madden launched the progressive news website activist360 which curates news stories, opinion pieces, periodicals, and research with a focus on current and breaking news dedicated to environmental issues, and climate change.[13]
Philosophy
Madden's music is influenced by
Madden's poetic influences include poet Dylan Thomas: Right in the Head, from the album Samsara's Grip, was based on the poem Love in the Asylum; Friend, from the album Gone, was inspired by the poem To Others Than You.
Discography
Albums
- Chillin' In Hades (1995, MADMUSE)
- Samsara's Grip (2004, MADMUSE)
- Gone (2006, MADMUSE)
- Child of the Same God (2008, MADMUSE)
- New Religion (2014, MADMUSE)
Video
- Gone (2006, MADMUSE)
- Unfair (2008, MADMUSE)
- Francesca (2014, MADMUSE)
Contributing Musicians
- Drew Hester: Percussionist for the Foo Fighters; co-producer of Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders; and drummer for Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh.
- The Jimmy Chamberlin Complex; Mohler co-produced Life Begins Again; former member of The Calling; bassist on Liz Phair album Somebody's Miracle.
- Jack Sherman: Guitarist on the albums: Red Hot Chili Peppers The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bob Dylan Knocked Out Loaded, and Peter Case The Man with the Blue Post-Modern Fragmented Neo-Traditionalist Guitar.
- Cameron Stone: Cellist on the albums: Ann Danielewski, also known as Poe, Hello; Anna Nalick Wreck of the Day, Lana Lane Secrets of Astrology (Think Tank), and Jeremy CampRestored (Deluxe Gold Edition).
- Adam Watts: Drummer, solo artist and producer; Watts co-produced three Jeremy Camp albums: Stay, Carried Me, and Restored.
- The Jimmy Chamberlin Complex.
- The Jimmy Chamberlin Complex and Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders.
- Sean Woolstenhulme: Guitarist for The Jimmy Chamberlin Complex and former member of The Calling.
- Jonathan Dresel: Drummer for Cleto and the Cletones, "house band" of Jimmy Kimmel Live!
- Charlie Paxson: Drummer for Mylene Farmer, Kyosuke Himuro, Eikichi Yazawa.
Footnotes
- ^ Paste Magazine: "The 2006 Paste Rock N Reel Audience Runner-Up is Bill Madden – Gone". Paste Magazine, September 30, 2006.
- ^ E.Vil City Film Fest: "2006 Official Selection Music Video Bill Madden – Gone", E.Vil City Film Festival, October 14, 2006
- ^ Joanna Davila: "Tune your iPod into these new, alternative sounds", The Hurricane Online of University of Miami, April 11, 2006
- ^ Janie Franz: "Bill Madden -Gone" Archived December 31, 2006, at the Wayback Machine. Valley Scene Magazine, April 24, 2006
- ^ Luke Beach: "Political arguments? Check. Regretful love songs? Check. Thoughtfulness on the meaning of life? Check. Great music? Check.", 411mania, February 24, 2006 Archived April 27, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Mark Donohue: "Bill Madden – Gone" Nude as the News, September 1, 2006
- ^ Mark Fisher: "Bill Madden – Why: Find out what goes on in the mind of one of today's premier artists". 1340mag.com, 2004
- ^ The Real World (Boston) Episode No. 620, November 19, 1997
- ^ The Real World (Boston) Episode No. 614, October 8, 1997
- ^ "Bill Madden, New Religion". realrootscafe.com. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
- ^ "PEOPLE THAT MATTER". revolutionthreesixty.com. October 20, 2014. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
- ^ "PEOPLE THAT MATTER". revolutionthreesixty.com. October 20, 2014. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
- ^ "activist360". www.activist360.co.
- ^ Justin Kownacki: "Splendid Reviews: Bill Madden – Samsara's Grip" Archived January 1, 2007, at the Wayback Machine. Splendid Magazine, November 12, 2004