Madie VandenHeuvel
Contemporary, Urban, and Popular Music, Music
Excerpts from blossom
About the Project
The following videos were selected from my senior recital, blossom, premiering May 9th. blossom showcases the evolution of my artistry spanning from my early years at McNally Smith College of Music to my final semester at Columbia College Chicago. This collection of songs illustrates a journey of self-discovery and explores the ups and downs of the human experience.
The first song featured is the instrumental introduction to the recital titled, "memories.” Soft synth arpeggios interplay with audio clips that I've collected throughout the past couple of years, such as birdsong in my backyard, the city streets of Chicago, and cheering at a baseball game. The video is a collection of clips documenting nature, trips, family, friends, and memories that hold great importance in my life.
The second song, "helping hand," is a dedication to the loved ones who have kept me grounded and offered support throughout this crazy journey called life. I wrote “helping hand” in October of 2020 while reflecting on the difficulties the past year had brought and realized that the people I loved were the ones who kept me going despite it all.
Finally, the third song, "better days," was written this past March during a songwriting workshop I attended led by Buck Meek from the band Big Thief. Using the cutup method, I wrote this song about seeing the light at the end of a dark and winding tunnel.
About Madie VandenHeuvel
Madie VandenHeuvel, known as Madie Maio, is a singer/songwriter based in Chicago, IL. Growing up in Appleton, WI, she began dipping her toes into the world of music at age 8 when she joined the school band playing the oboe. From there, she took on piano, guitar, singing, and songwriting throughout the following years.
In 2016, she went to study music at McNally Smith College of Music, where she fell in love with the colors of soul and jazz. After the school’s ultimate closure in December 2017, she transferred to Columbia College Chicago to study in the Contemporary, Urban, and Popular Music program. Here, she would learn how to fuse her love of jazz, soul, indie rock, and folk into a unique sound of her own.
Maio’s senior recital, blossom, showcases the evolution of her artistry spanning from her early years at McNally Smith to her final semester at Columbia. From neo-soul-inspired tracks like “tessellate” and “bitter” to somber indie tunes like “helping hand” and “without you,” she explores the ups and downs of the human experience. This project is a journey of self-discovery, growth, and love. The recital premieres on May 9th and will be available for viewing via YouTube.
Instagram: www.instagram.com/madie.jpg
Facebook: www.facebook.com/madiemaio
YouTube: www.youtube.com/madiemaio
“Madie was such a great inspiration to her peers in Arranging and Orchestration as well as in Music Styles and Analysis. She's extremely passionate and dedicated to her musical life. She's creating beautiful music and I wish her all the best!”
-Scott Hall, Professor of Instruction, Music
“Madie VandenHeuvel is a dedicated musician, a terrific student, and a leader in the department. She brings an insight and intelligence to her musical practice that results in a sensitive and heartfelt performance. I nominated her for all the skills and thoughtfulness she has brought to her work in my classes and in the department. She always rose to the challenge and made great music.”
-Phillip Seward, Professor of Instruction, Music