New York Based Singer-Songwriter MONTE MADER Discusses Her Forthcoming Debut EP, Writing About Heartbreak and More!

NYC-based singer-songwriter, Monte Mader, is a girl from the middle of nowhere, who lost everything and is now on the brink of everything. After a tumultuous journey of love and loss, Monte emerges onto the music scene with the release of her debut EP, Skydive, out May 2017. The first track, “Selfish Girl,” is a heavy-hitting reflection on her story of love, betrayal and heartbreak.

Originally from the Midwest, Monte was raised on a ranch, surrounded by country and gospel music. After a broken engagement at age 22, Monte packed up her life in rural Wyoming to dive headfirst into music.

Following battles with bankruptcy, heartbreak and loss, Monte found her voice and wrote her first album, Skydive, as an ode to her resilience. Now based in New York City, Monte has taken the stage throughout the city, including performances at the Friends of Firefighters charity concert, the Equinox Anniversary Bash in Rockefeller Center and several area venues.

Be sure to check out the debut track, “Selfish Girl,” from the forthcoming album, Skydive–coming your way May 2017!

Learn more about Monte Mader in the following All Access interview:

So, now that 2016 is over, what are some words you would use to describe the year for you? What have been some of the highlights for you and your music? What are you most excited about for 2017? Did you make any New Year’s Resolutions?

I can describe 2016 as painful, difficult, and shocking. It was one of the most difficult years of my life, but also one that taught me to stand back on my feet.

The biggest highlight of the year was that I finally finished the EP. It had been a long and grueling process to get to that point and once it was done I almost couldn’t believe that the work (at least for that project) was finished. It was this moment of “wait… did I just finish this?”

What I am most excited about in 2017 is for the EP release and to travel more. I have been wrapped up in work and completing this project for over two years, so I took very little personal time. I’m excited to make that happen.

I made two new years resolutions! The first was to take a trip every quarter, even if it was just a four day weekend. I have already booked a trip to Virginia in February and a trip to California in June. The second was to stay in better touch with family and visit more. Being so far away from them I tend to be distant and I have missed out on a lot of things, I don’t want to do that anymore.

Growing up, did you always want to be a musician? Can you recall your earliest musical memory? Could you see yourself doing anything else?   

Growing up I always wanted to be a singer, though as any other child, I fluctuated a lot. Music was always a constant.

My first musical memory is sitting on the floor and hearing my Dad play his guitar and sing on the couch. By the time I was 5 I was begging him to let me sing with him at church and at the local nursing home. He made me learn the song “Daddy’s hands” and from that point on, I went singing with him everytime I was home.

No, I can’t see myself doing anything else but singing and writing.

What was it like making that big move from rural Wyoming to New York City? What it scary or more exciting at the time? How do you think that move influenced you as a musician and ultimately your sound? 

It was scary most of the time! I was always lost, didn’t know anyone and MAN there were so many people! It was a lonely and difficult time, especially at first, but I’m glad I did it.

My sound evolved into something rather eclectic and I thank the move for that. New York exposed me to so many different sounds, genres and art that dramatically affected my own tastes and writing.

In May, you will release your debut EP, “Skydive.” Can you talk about putting that collection together? How long did it take to put it altogether? Is there anything in particular that surprised you about the process? 

“Skydive” took 2 years to write and record. It was a long and sometimes tedious journey. The songs represent my own journey in relationships, and my internal belief in myself that I wrestled with over the past few years.

I was surprised at how much my writing changed. So many songs I started with just didn’t fit by the end of the project, not just because I got better as an artists, but as I grew, what I wanted to say changed. I can read through all those songs and essentially read my whole diary for the past few years. I can see where I started, and where I am now.

I understand that you have experienced a lot of heartbreak and loss in your life and you used all of that to write these songs. What was it like channeling all those emotions down on paper for this record? 

It was great and it was terrible. I am by nature an “internalizer”. I bottle things up until I burst, whether its to seem ok to other people, or even to convince myself things are ok. Putting pen to paper and channeling these feelings allowed me release the hurt I was carrying, but it also forced me to face it. My songbook in many ways was my “person to talk to” because I could be candid and say it how I wanted to, no matter what I was feeling. It became that friend that confronts you, but does it because they love you. It made me face what wasn’t ok, and helped me paint a picture of hope for the future.

“Selfish Girl” is your album’s first single. Can you talk about the inspiration behind this song in particular? 

Anyone who has been cheated on knows that feeling of absolutely wanting to do something crazy because you are so mad! Selfish Girl was that internal angry voice when it happened to me. I was preparing for a wedding and found out that my fiance was seeing other women- I was livid!!!! In my mind I painted this picture of the story, and how I wanted to respond… and “Selfish Girl” was born.

What has it been like performing in New York City? Do you have plans to tour the country soon in support of “Skydive”?

New York City is both exhilarating and challenging. My music doesn’t fall into the large hip hop following, jazz or true pop- because its a little off the beaten path shows can be a little more difficult. But I have had the opportunity to perform at some incredible venues and most importantly work with some of the most amazing musicians I have ever met. My band is absolutely incredible and have also become very dear friends.

I do plan on a tour in August of 2017.

Who are some of your favorite musicians? What musicians would you love to work with in the future?

Favorite musicians: John Legend, George Strait, Boston, Ne-Yo and Grace Potter (I have more but I will try to save time)

From a performance perspective I would love to work with Grace Potter, Miranda Lambert and John Legend. And an LIFETIME dream of mine has been to write with Ne-yo.

At the end of the day, what do you hope is the message of your music? What do you hope people take away from your songs? 

The reason I chose “Skydive” as the title track was because at the end of the day I hope that my music and my story will help someone believe in themselves, believe that they can do anything. I want people to believe in hope- even when things are hard or unexplainable. I think of my nieces a lot when I write and how much I want them to grow up loving themselves and pursuing what they love. What I want for them is the same thing I want for people that listen to my music.

Is there anything else that you would like to share with our readers about yourself or your music?

I’m a fitness fanatic, avid reader and sweets lover.

Skydive is a 6 song EP with an eclectic variety of music about love, heartache and self-belief.