I Can Be Your Senorita

 

South Texas native and Country music artist Madelyn Victoria is a singer/songwriter who not only believes but is proof that you can accomplish whatever you set your mind to.  Over her music career she has won many awards and accolades for her music such as CMT Top 50 Artist, a six-time Josie Music Award nominee, and her single, ‘He Only Loves Me On the Dance Floor’ reached #1 on the national country AM/FM chart New Music Weekly. In April 2016 the song won the Akademia Award for Best Country Song. Madelyn and her band have opened for some of the biggest names in country music, including Clay Walker, Charlie Daniels, and Tracy Lawrence.

Outside of music, Madelyn has won multiple crowns including Rodeo Queen, and high school homecoming queen. Recently, Madelyn was selected by a talent/acting agency and will start auditioning for regional commercials and movies.

Currently, Madelyn is earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Music Business to prepare her for when she starts her own record label. Her goal is to eventually sign and help other independent artists.

Madelyn’s latest single ‘I Can Be Your Senorita’ was released earlier this year. Madelyn is working on her first full-length album, the follow-up to her 2014 self-titled debut EP.

I recently had the opportunity to interview Madelyn about her latest single, forthcoming album, starting a record label, producing, and much more.

Congratulations on your latest single, “I Can Be Your Senorita”. What is the concept or theme behind it?

Thank you! I wanted a to write a Spanish-Country style love song and I wanted it to tell a story about two people in love from different backgrounds with their “worlds brought in to one”. I combined the two ideas into “I Can Be Your Senorita”. When I officially record this in a studio it’s going to be a duet with another Texas Country singer.

Explain how the acoustic video for “I Can Be Your Senorita” was conceived and made. Who was the director?

I currently live in San Antonio, TX and there is so much culture and diversity here – the song fit perfectly for filming it in downtown San Antonio.

Since it is a simple acoustic recording, we wanted it to be a simple video. My friend Hector Aleman with HEX Films filmed it and helped directed it; I too played the role of director.

Your self-titled debut album was released in 2014. What are your plans for a future EP or full-length album?

I have all the songs I would need to record my first full-length album, I even know a couple of studios and producers I want to get involved on it; I just have to keep on saving up. I have faith though that it is going to happen sometime this year or next.

What producers have you worked with? Have you been involved in the production process?

I’ve worked with Ken Tondre a little bit out of The Compound studio in Austin, TX. He is amazing. For the most part, though, I have been the main producer in my musical recordings.

You are currently attending Full Sail University earning your Bachelor of Science in Music Business. What are your plans once you complete your degree?

Since I am an independent artist I kind of already have been acting like my own record label. I just want more credibility and more experience before I can officially start it. So, studying Music Business and also with future internships at established record labels, I believe it will better prepare me for it.

Will you use it in your current career or pursue another role in the music industry?

I will definitely be using it in my current career as my own record label. I want it to expand and grow eventually with signing other independent artists I could help out as well.

What is your perspective on Country music? Why did you decide to pursue a music career in this genre?

I love the simplicity of it. I also love that you can hear so many rootsy influences in the genre.

I also love the lifestyle that the Country music genre portrays and is. I feel I am able to express my best in the Country music genre.

Country music has a long and very diverse history and is becoming even more so over time. Are there any particular artists who have most influenced your style — and how?

Johnny Cash is one of my main influences when it comes to songwriting. He was a real man with real stories, that’s what I try to be when I write – real. I also love George Strait. He has been such an influence and major success in the Country music industry and I want to do the same. I want to be the female Hispanic version of George Strait; haha. Freddy Fender is also a great influence of mine. He is from my hometown and made it to the “big times” back in the day. I plan to record a cover of Freddy Fender’s on my first full-length album.

You opened shows for a lot of big names in country music. Tell us about the most nerve-wracking moment among those experiences. Then contrast that with the most fulfilling moment.

The most nerve-wracking moment has to be when I opened the show up for a Texas Country Artist, Aaron Watson. I love Aaron Watson and look up to all the hard work he has put in as an independent Texas artist. We played at the PRCA Los Fresnos Rodeo and during my set, the power went completely out. I was probably nervous for just a few seconds, but I quickly got the idea to throw out some merch to the crowd and talk to the people up at the front of the stage until it went back on. It was probably only off for 5 minutes. I also told my band members quickly that when it went back on that we would start right where we left off. I’d like to think that was a pretty fulfilling moment as well. It showed how quick I am on my toes and I feed off of the pressure.

You’ve won many awards and received a lot of accolades over your music career. Tell us about your most important failure – the one that was the catalyst for future successes.

I don’t see it as failures, more like setbacks. I go through little set-backs and little wins all the time. If I don’t get selected for an award or to even play at a certain venue, it’s automatic that I know the next one I will win or will get that callback.

Who are the members of your band and how did you meet each of them? How long have you and your current band been playing together?

My brother is my guitarist and backup vocalist. He is like my musical partner in crime. I don’t necessarily have a set band but have a lot of musicians from my hometown area that play with me. I’ve had my friends Matt Gonzalez and Rene Gonzalez play with me the most out of all the musicians – probably going on 6/7 years now. They grew up touring with their grandfather Country Roland.

Were your parents always supportive of your musical aspirations? Did they have other plans for you when you were growing up?

They have always been 100% supportive in whatever I do. They encourage and support me financially when times get tough. The only thing my mom wished for me was to attend college since that was her dream and she was never able to. Now that I am earning my Bachelor’s degree and it being towards my music career, she couldn’t be more proud of me.

When and why did your brother start to help you write accompanying music to your songs? Is your entire family musically inclined or just you and your brother?

I have a few cousins on my dad’s side that sing very well and play a couple of instruments. On my mom’s side, everyone is so talented! My uncles are actually my biggest influence when it comes to music, even compared to the big names that also influence me; they’re number one.

They never got the chance to play professionally, so I want to accomplish all my goals because of them.

If you had to characterize your music in any particular subgenre of country music, what would that be?

I like to say my music is Neo-Traditional Country – a little old, a little new. I love so many genres of music like blues, soul, bluegrass, western, swing – anything with a rootsy feel to it. I feel like that’s what my music represents as well.

You briefly studied opera to improve your vocal skills. Do you derive inspiration from any other types of music outside of country music?

Mariachi music is a part of my heritage and culture and I do get some inspiration from it. I used to sing in my high school’s Mariachi band and I loved it. My first album is going to have a Tex-Mex feel to it much like the culture around Texas, so I like to think Mariachi music also plays an influence in this.

Why did you choose the Barbizon School of Talent in Dallas to perfect your showmanship and presentation?

It just so happened that they were having a talent search around my hometown and something like that never happens around there, so I jumped on that opportunity. From there I was coached in acting and went on to compete in New York at a convention for various acting categories and evening a singing category. I won the singing competition and placed in other acting categories as well. I’ve always wanted to act as well, so starting off with Barbizon made sense. I recently got selected to be represented by a talent/acting agency so I will start auditioning for regional and national commercial/movies.

You’ve won multiple crowns, including homecoming queen and rodeo queen. What inspired you to enter these competitions?  Where did you think these opportunities might lead to besides a music career?

I honestly just thought it would be fun.

I believe I am much more comfortable in what I do because of all my experience with these types of pageants/competitions.

What inspired your passion for helping special needs children? Was there anything in your life that gave rise to that?

I have a natural love to help and inspire all children, and that includes special needs children.

Tell us about your annual event called, “Octave Higher Christmas”.

Every year I put together a Christmas party for different organizations that help children, and I go to local children’s hospitals to sing on Christmas Eve and/or Christmas day. Christmas is supposed to be a joyous time but in reality, people still get hurt or suffer; I just want to bring as much joy as I can to those who can’t fully enjoy the holiday season like the rest of the world.

How do you think women in indie music can be encouraged and supported in the music industry?

I believe all we have to do is be kind and supportive of one another and not think of ourselves as a separate category in the industry, we are a part of the industry just as much as anyone.

What advice do you have for women thinking of pursuing or already pursuing a music career?

I would say that we shouldn’t expect to be treated differently because we are women. I go out into the industry knowing that I am a singer-songwriter, music artist, etc. and being a woman is just who I am, not how people should categorize. I want people to love my music simply because of my music, not because I am a woman.

If you want to be the “top female artist” in a certain genre of music then go for it; if you want to be just the “top artist” in a certain genre, then go for it too!

What are your tour plans for 2018?

I book myself month by month and play around the south Texas area for now. I am hoping to expand really soon.

 What other projects do you have planned for 2018?

I will be releasing a new single called “Right Here with You” along with a music video. I won’t be doing any big radio promotion until I am done recording my first full-length album, then I will release another single off of there. I plan to release “I Can Be Your Senorita” as a huge promotion- radio tour across Texas and the US, the works!

Thank you, Madelyn, for the opportunity to interview you.

Get up-to-date tour news and more on Madelyn’s website.

Follow Madelyn on Social Media:

Twitter: madelynvictoria

Facebook: madelynvictoria

Check out Madelyn’s music here:

ReverbNation: madelynvictoria

YouTube: maddiepattie711