Maddy O’Neal’s powerful artistry has graced the bass scene for some time. We chatted with her about her latest release and future plans.
Maddy O’Neal embodies a fusion of diverse music genres, with a sound strongly emphasizing funk and soul elements intertwined with future bass. Originating from Denver, her productions reflect the electro-soul influences that have helped establish her distinct presence in the bass community. She dropped the Mind Over Matter EP in 2023 and has brought in fellow artists in her newest remix album, which dropped today.
As a self-taught producer and DJ, her music is characterized by soulful melodies, driving basslines, and glitched hip-hop rhythms. Her live performances showcase original compositions spanning from gritty bangers to shimmering vocal bass tracks and disco-infused beats. She has cultivated an energetic stage presence through years of extensive touring and playing at festivals like Coachella, Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, and Electric Forest.
The Mind Over Matter EP comprises four tracks that range from glittery and lyrical, like “Bliss,” to deep and bassy, as heard in “Woofer.” The range of the remix album is no different. This release showcases ten fresh works by various artists, including Artifakts, jackLNDN, and Eyezic. Listeners will find a wide array of genres that zooms in on Maddy’s energetic style.
Maddy has also ramped up her MadHaus appearances. MadHaus is Maddy O’Neal’s house project, and she’s started to reveal more and more of it over the last few years. Who knows, maybe we can expect a MadHaus release in the future!
Ahead of today’s release, we sat down with Maddy O’Neal to talk about the new remix album, life on tour, MadHaus, and how she remains dynamic in her artistry. Cue up Mind Over Matter (Remixed and read on to get a glimpse of her world!
Stream Maddy O’Neal – Mind Over Matter (Remixed) on Spotify:
Congratulations on your remix album for Mind Over Matter! That’s a very exciting accomplishment. You’ve released a few of these kinds of albums now. What is your favorite part of hearing remixes of your songs from other artists?
Honestly, I just love the model of following up any big project with a remix album. First off, it’s so cool to hear how some of your favorite producers can take the pieces of an original song you put so much into and completely flip up the vibe and make it their own. The art of a remix in general is pretty awesome — everyone loves a good edit. It’s also really fun to have alternative versions to play out live. When you mostly play your own music like I do in my main sets, it helps set the vibe to have more than one version of a track to pick from at multiple tempos, etc.
The remix album showcases artists including Eyezic, Defunk, and NotLo, with each track exploring very different sounds and genres, like house, bass, and drum and bass. Why was it important to have a variety of sounds throughout this remix album?
I mean, I hand-picked new artists that have been on my radar as well as a variety of vibes from producer friends of mine. I wanted the tracks to have some range, and since we doubled up on songs, too, it’s fun to hear a bass flip vs. a house flip, etc. on the same song.
You’ve mentioned your unique sound design in other interviews. In your words, what makes your sound design and other aspects of production stand out?
I would consider myself to be in the melodic bass territory. I love using elements of trap, dub, future bass, etc. all interwoven with some organic elements. I think that’s what makes my sound a little more me is that I can have these grimy basslines, but usually, there’s some other element in the song that feels human and raw, like a horn section or vocals or strings, etc.
Your sets blend your original music with bass, house, future bass, and drum and bass while incorporating remixes of your tracks along with some fun pop hits. The last time I saw you I remember hearing Destiny’s Child and Billie Eilish! What crosses your mind when you work on your sets, and what is your favorite way to keep the crowd engaged?
I just completely re-did my live set in Jan to incorporate a lot of these new remixes and some fun flips I’ve found from other people, too, and you definitely nailed it. It’s so fun to throw some throwback ’90s hip-hop vocals or remixes in the mix because those just give automatic nostalgic feels. I don’t care who you are, when you hear MIA‘s “Paper Planes” you are gonna lose your shit. When I play for bigger festival crowds, too, it’s great because I can play a whole block of original tunes people may be hearing for the first time in between some familiarity. The contrast is perfect to keep people curious about what’s next.
Your artistry is so unique and there isn’t another artist out there with a sound like yours. Why is it important to remain dynamic in both your original music and your sets by incorporating several different genres?
Thank you so much, that’s a big compliment! Honestly, first and foremost, I am inspired by all types of music and genres and I feel like it would be boring to be pigeonholed into one BPM or genre. The thing I love about where the music industry as a whole is moving is that more and more artists are experimenting with genre blending without fearing they will lose their identity or brand. That’s where I’m at. If it’s me, it’s me. Doesn’t matter if it’s a 120 BPM tune or downtempo. It’s a hard thing to accomplish, but I’m doing my best to keep my sonic identity across the experimentation.
You have another project called MadHaus that’s focused on house. I know you are starting to incorporate it into more festival lineups — you were just booked to play Miami Music Week! What is your inspiration for MadHaus, and do you see yourself continuing to lean into it?
I fell in love with house music over the pandemic. I was doing some live streams and DJing a lot more in that environment, and I had been trying to figure out a way to do that but also keep doing what I’m doing. It’s a fun way to play some DJ sets and showcase my love for house music while also letting people know what to expect by branding it a “MadHaus Set.” Honestly, you will probably never see me happier than when I’m on the decks at a MadHaus set. They have been so fun and refreshing! I am definitely already plotting to write a house record in the near future.
You have also showcased drum and bass in your sets (you went on a 15-minute drum and bass run at the Ogden in Denver!), within the drop of your track, “Bliss,” and also in your remix album. What draws you to drum and bass and can we expect more of this genre from you in the future?
Drum and bass kinda gives me the same feelings as playing house music to a certain extent. You can drop into a certain BPM and literally just cruise. You lose track of time and can blend between songs easily because it’s all in a similar range. I like those sections in sets because you just get lost for a moment and dance and then reel it back in.
In 2023, it seemed like you spent more time on the road than you did at home and working in the studio. What keeps you grounded while being on the road?
Last year was a huge touring year for me, the biggest by far, and it was difficult to maintain that balance, especially toward the end of the year. Yoga and the ideals that come from it are a big part of my grounding practices: slowing down, paying attention to your body and breath, etc. Paying attention to my needs and when I’m feeling burnt out or exhausted is big, knowing when I need a social breather or whatever it may be. I’m still finessing the art of touring as we all are.
You have been showing the importance of wellness and slowing down in the off-season on your social media accounts. What is your favorite part of being able to wind down while not being on the road?
Touring is tough. Its tough on your body, your relationships, your sleep schedule, etc. As much as I love it, I have learned over the years that having a healthy balance to come home to is crucial. Having healthy habits and routines as well as keeping your body and mind healthy are the only way to keep it rolling. I realized I was about to have a super tour-heavy year as I fall was starting and asked my team to block off January from shows for me. I knew I was gonna need a break and some time to create. If I’m only touring and not refreshing my well of creativity and music, it will start to make me feel insane. Luckily, I had that foresight, and after having January to focus on just creating in the studio and getting my healthy habits back on track, I feel so amazing and powered up for the year.
Now that 2024 and festival season are about to be in full swing, what can we expect from Maddy O’Neal this year?
I have so much new music in the works and I am so excited to showcase it throughout the year. I’ll be dropping a track a month into an LP this coming fall that is currently in the works as of January. Very excited about my new approach to set curation and all the new vibes that will trickle into the live sets as they finish up. Also, plenty of MadHaus to go around!
