Interview by Alena Underwood | Photographer: Anna Koblish

Since her artistic debut in 2021, Maddie Regent has worked tirelessly and intentionally to discover herself as a person and artist, refining the message she wants to share with her audience. On the heels of releasing her debut album, On the phone with my mom, Maddie spoke with NYOTA about her creative journey. She offered heartfelt advice: to live authentically and unapologetically in who you are.

You made your debut about four years ago. How have you evolved as both a singer and a writer?

I’m much more comfortable in my voice and style. I’m not afraid of being cringe anymore, and I’m more concerned with being honest. I’ve also become much more comfortable performing and sharing my original work with audiences. It’s hard to be vulnerable sometimes, but I’ve really worked on embracing the nerves more.

What made you choose “Miss Virgo” as the pre-release single for your debut album? What does this song mean to you both personally and as an artist?

“Miss Virgo” is probably the most emotional and honest I’ve been in a song so far. It’s about my experience in eating disorder treatment when I was 17. I think it’s also one of the best songs Cade (my partner, producer, and co-writer) and I have made together. It took the longest to finish because I really wanted to make sure we got it right. The message behind it is so important, so it felt right to showcase it as a single and give it the spotlight it deserved. I really hope that “Miss Virgo” finds the people who need to hear it.

Your debut album is titled On the phone with my mom. What’s the story behind the title, and how does it impact the album? 

‘On the phone with my mom’ is a lyric from the song “You Could Break My Heart.” The moment Cade and I wrote it, we knew it would shape the direction of the album thematically. As we neared the end of the project, using that line as the title just felt right — it stands out, and it perfectly captures the confessional, personal nature of the songs.

Is there a story or theme your album follows that you want your listeners to be aware of?

The album explores the transition between girlhood and womanhood, and how those two states can feel at odds. As a girl, you want to grow up; as an adult, you long for the simplicity of being young. That tension runs through all of the songs.

Due to the vulnerable nature of this project, was it therapeutic to work on?

Yes, so therapeutic! I also think that making it with my partner, Cade Hoppe, made a huge difference because I never felt like I had to hide any part of myself. I’m super grateful to have been able to make this album with him. I don’t think I could’ve made this project without having that safe space.

If you could go back to the beginning of this process, what advice would you give yourself?

Don’t overthink everything! If it sounds right, it usually is. It would have saved me a lot of time to know that! 

You describe your music as cinematic. If you had to choose a movie to describe your album, what would it be?

Spirited Away. The theme of not knowing what’s ahead, learning to trust, and figuring out how to rely on yourself is a big part of that movie — and it really mirrors the emotional arc of the album. It’s also my favorite movie of all time, so honestly I’ll find any excuse to relate it to anything I do, haha.

After finishing On the phone with my mom, what did you do to celebrate and creatively recharge?

Watched a lot of movies and spent a lot of time with family! 

This story first ran in NYOTA’s Art is Life Issue. Read more from the issue here and purchase a print copy here