Subscribe
Music News

Maddox Jones talks going solo and his debut album 'Believe It'

Opening up a new chapter and finding out what it means to become a solo artist, Northampton singer/songwriter Maddox Jones recently unveiled his debut album Believe It, a record that delves into themes of addiction and love, forming a summery soundscape of alt-pop and dance music. Here, Jones speaks to Headliner about what helps him to create such a positive outlook on life, where he drew inspiration for his new album, and explains to us what the hell a garden tour is and why he can’t wait to start his…

Hi Maddox; how does your new album Believe It seems to have such a positive and hopeful outlook rooted into it, and what would you like your fans to take from the album whilst listening to it?

I’m quite a positive person in general! There’s always going to be ups and downs in life, but I think that even during times when things might not be going your way, just know that something good is just around the corner. As humans we are meant to feel it all, that’s the beauty of being alive! I want people to feel hopeful and inspired when they listen to the record.

Is there anything that you feel drives that optimism, keeping it going throughout your life, and are there any rituals that you keep in order to help maintain that energy?

I think it’s just in me to be fair. I get down like everyone else but I do find meditation and also staying connected with people and friends can help me stay optimistic.

How has this album evolved from your widely loved EP Headspace?

I think the sound is slightly more organic, the lyrics tell my story which is constantly evolving anyway. I don’t really consciously think about how to evolve my sound, I think every song should be treated as a stand alone entity. What binds my work together is the personal style of my lyrics. I find that my sound is naturally developing as I play more live shows and I’m now beginning to like incorporating the power of real drums and bass into the studio recordings.

Which song on the record stands out to you as the one that you are most proud of?

That's a tough one! I think right now, I love Beautiful Soul, a song that seemed to come to me all in one go. The song is played in 3/4 time, which is a time signature I don't often write in. It’s a breakup song, but it's a positive one, I'm wishing my ex well and hoping she's happy with the next guy she's with. Mandolins and a big chorus, what more do you need? Haha.

And where do you pull in most of your inspiration when you are writing new music?

It's usually from my own experiences and if I hear a new song that particularly inspires me. For instance, Harry Styles' As It Was was a recent song that I got that feeling from and really helped in aspects of writing this album. It's a combination of my own experiences and then finding new sounds that excite me.

You are about to go on a 'Garden Tour', could you tell us a bit more about this and how the idea for it came about?

Well, I came up with the idea after supporting Matt Goss at the Palladium. I made a lot of new fans and so I wanted to do a tour across the country this summer in fan’s gardens. It starts at the end of June and I can't wait. I think there's something cool and intimate about playing in someone's back garden, I'm looking forward to seeing how it turns out.

What brought about your departure (no pun intended), from playing in bands and your move towards a solo project?

It was just a natural progression. I think I just became more centred in what I wanted to do as an artist and it made sense to go solo really, I do enjoy the freedom of being a solo artist.

Clearly music is something that has always surrounded your life; what was your earliest memory of music?

My earliest memory is learning songs on the guitar when I was seven. I was brought up in a Christian community so Christian music was all I was exposed to growing up. I used to try and write songs that would get sung in church, never quite made it though but it stood me in good stead for learning the craft of writing.

Lastly then, what was the most recent album that you bought?

Hmm. The most recent album I bought was Depeche Mode’s Violator on vinyl. In terms of the last album I streamed, it was probably Radiohead’s new project The Smile and their new album A Light For Attracting Attention. It’s a great album!