Maddy O'Neal: "For A Long Time, I Felt Like I Didn't Have A 'Place' Within Bass Music"

Taking time out from her Creatures Of My Mind Tour, Maddy O’Neal joins us to discuss her contributions to bass music, her influences, and how she tackles imposter syndrome.

Dynamic DJ and producer Maddy O’Neal has been steadily on the rise, paving the way for women in bass music at every turn. Her career origins date back to 2011, and her masterful blend of funk-driven basslines and glitch-hop has led her to major bookings at Coachella, Electric Forest, and Lollapalooza. With a slew of original tracks and collaborations in her arsenal, O’Neal has become something of a weapon within the bass scene.

Starting her career as an electro-soul artist, O’Neal emerged from the same creative movement that produced the acclaimed act Pretty Lights, acknowledging that his sound influenced her during her formative years as a CU Boulder student. “Daily Bread, Artifakts, and Late Night Radio were all part of my original crew when we were just starting,” she told EDMID.

As the genres that dominated electronic dance music shifted, so did O’Neal’s sound. Expanding on her electro-soul origins, her project evolved, turning toward funky soundscapes with power-packed drops, which she characterizes as a pretty version of dirty, funky bass music. Now inspired by the likes of CloZee, INZO, GRiZ, Big Gigantic, and LSDREAM, her music reflects her love for hip-hop, soul, and nostalgia intertwined with bass.

I was definitely categorized as an electro-soul producer when I was young, but my sound has evolved and become much heavier and bigger, so I don’t think that label fits as much anymore. All of the greats I have looked up to over the years have pushed boundaries and defied the limits of traditional genres, so I decided to do what felt right, almost using that as a challenge. If you stick to your guns and own it, I think people will catch on and, hopefully, be inspired by that mentality.
Maddy O’Neal

Maddy O'Neal Press Photo — Photo Courtesy of Maddy O’Neal

Maddy O’Neal’s 2022 full-length album, Ricochet, was the beginning of a bright, new chapter as she reinvented her signature sound. Settling into her groove, the inventive producer released a string of hits — including “Woofer,” “Matcha,” and “Won’t Back Down” — leading up to her second LP, Vital Signs.

“I think for a long time, I felt like I didn’t have a place in bass music,” said O’Neal. “Coming up in the electro-funk realm and then slowly carving out my own lane, I think it took a while for me to realize that not having a place or direct comparison was my lane.”

Continuing to break out of the mold with her wide-ranging discography, O’Neal has hit the road for her Creatures Of My Mind Tour, in support of her heaviest album to date. The massive run of winter dates extends through February 2026, hitting cities across the US and Canada.

I’ve been playing a few different versions of sets on the Creatures Of My Mind Tour, featuring a mix of my new EP, a bunch of fire remixes I’ve discovered from new producers on my radar, and edits of older songs of mine. It’s fun to discover other songs and artists whose songs fit in your set like a glove alongside your originals, helping bridge gaps of tracks in new ways and keep my sets interesting while still playing the songs I know people want to hear.
Maddy O’Neal

Just like many of us electronic music lovers, O’Neal let us in on the fact that she’s an avid crate digger. “I spend most of my time looking for obscure and up-and-coming producers who are making shit more freely than your average cookie-cutter dubstep formula,” she told EDMID. Even with her dedication to finding fresh sources of inspiration, the producer admits that her creativity can ebb and flow, noting that finding harmony within the chaos of the music industry is key.

There are always spurts of time where I feel uninspired, and that’s completely normal. Doing everyday life things and letting my adventures outside of touring feed my inspiration is also a big part of it — the balance is crucial. I’ve grown to realize it’s all a cycle, and when I begin to feel a bit of imposter syndrome or burnout, it just means I need to shake things up, knowing that it won’t last forever.
Maddy O’Neal

Maddy O’Neal is gearing up for an anticipated appearance at Apocalypse Zombieland this weekend. In the meantime, she was gracious enough to deliver us a mix for the second installment of Bass Fidelity. Hopefully, it turns you on to your next favorite track.

Give Maddy O’Neal’s blazing hot banger of a mix a spin, and don’t forget to catch the powerhouse at Apocalypse Zombieland on Friday, November 28, at 6pm on the Zombieland Citadel stage!