Written By: Amanda Policastro
Madeline Lauer is a California born singer/songwriter. Her debut album “Open Book” is set to be released June 9th. She blends various genres in her music. Come take a look at Madeline!
Photo Credit: Dylan Bartolini
upfrontNY: How did you get your start in music.
Madeline Lauer: I met a producer at a talent show I auditioned for who convinced me to finish the rest of my senior year of high school in California to start recording my first album. I was only supposed to stay the summer, but I’ve been here ever since. The journey has been long, but that’s how It all started.
upfrontNY: Growing up, were there any songs or musicians who inspired you to become a singer?
Madeline Lauer: I was obsessed with Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears and Mariah Carey as a child and well into in my early teens. When I was in my later teens, I re- discovered Aaliyah, and that basically changed everything. I was so young when she was relevant so I kind of missed the boat before she passed. I remember watching her Rock The Boat video for the first time and was like “NO WAY! That is the best thing I have ever seen.”
upfrontNY: What was your first concert you ever attended?
Madeline Lauer: My first concert was Spice Girls. I dressed up as Posh Spice and my little sister dressed up as Baby Spice. My mom even let us wear lipstick and glitter eye shadow for the show. It was a blast.
upfrontNY: Do you have a favorite lyric?
Madeline Lauer: “He tries to pacify her because what’s inside her never dies” – Amy Winehouse
upfrontNY: Can you tell us about your song ‘Come Around’?
Madeline Lauer: I had been casually seeing someone on and off for about a year. The chemistry was obvious and intense. However, without warning, he would kind of disappear from me for a while. Then I’d run into him somewhere random like a party or the store and we’d pick right back up again for a few weeks. But without fail, he was gone again. Years later, I was shown a cover of the song, Unchained Melody. It’s one of the most beautiful songs in the world. There’s a line in there that says “time can do so much, are you still mine?” and my mind instantly started reminiscing about that lover. I wrote Come Around about him later that night.
upfrontNY: You have your EP Open Book coming out later this year. What was the process like working on the album?
Madeline Lauer: I was going to school and working full time while making Open Book, so the process was long. It took us three years. However, I worked at a recording studio where the manager was extremely supportive and allowed us to come and use the rooms when they weren’t occupied. I like to write by myself first, and then sort of perform what I’ve come up with for the team and they make the necessary changes.
upfrontNY: How would you describe your sound and what can others expect from your album?
Madeline Lauer: The sound is dreamy, bouncy and sensual. The beats are particularly funky and sort of reflect a hip-hop and jazz fusion. Open Book is very personal. You will be listening to very true stories and sentiments about my journey through relationships and this industry. People who have listened to Open Book always say they feel like that have been transported to the 90s.
upfrontNY: What has been one of the best experiences you have had with music?
Madeline Lauer: I learned a tremendous amount by being in a girl group when I was nineteen. I wouldn’t say it was the best experience, but it was pretty eye opening. I was taking dance lessons in Hollywood and there was a posting about auditions for a girl group Rodney Jerkins (Dark Child) was hosting. I tried out with my best friend, Kristen, and we both made it. During the whole process, I felt like we were in an episode of “Making the Band.” Working with Rodney was unlike any experience I’ve had in music to this day. Ultimately, none of the girls in the group wanted to be in a girl group for one more minute than we had to. But the opportunity was too hard to pass up.
upfrontNY: Is there a venue, city, or country that is your dream location to perform?
Madeline Lauer: Red Rocks in Colorado would be a dream come true. I would also love to see Tokyo!
upfrontNY: What do you want others to know about you and your music?
Madeline Lauer: Open book is just the beginning. There is so much more and different content on the way. The sound and writing has already evolved into something new that I hope will please a wider audience. Just keep watching, I am only getting started!
Leave a Reply