IN THE SPOTLIGHT: So Below

Mystical. Dance. Put these two together, and you get So Below’s amazing sound. So Below aka Madeline (Maddie) North, is an Auckland-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist; her music has garnered more than 1 million plays on Spotify. After sharing her first single, “Drift”, in 2015, she released her self-titled EP in 2016. Just this year, she released a new EP, II, and most recently, on June 21, 2018, she put out a beautiful and delicate cover of MUNA’s “Crying on the Bathroom Floor”, featuring Alisa Xayalith (The Naked and Famous) and Kaela Sinclair (M83). Not only has Maddie worked with musicians/producers such as Aaron Short (formerly of The Naked and Famous), she has toured all over Europe, including cities such as London and Berlin.

Taking a pause, Maddie generously gave some time to chat about her musical beginnings, her favorite superhero, and even recommended a few places to check out in Auckland!

Photo by Aaron Short

What’s the story behind your talent and passion for music?

I always wanted to do music since high school, but I thought it was this unattainable thing, this innate ability to create and write which I didn't have the first clue how or where to start. One day, maybe 6 years ago, I sat down, opened GarageBand, and wrote this 2-minute song, and that’s where it all started hahah. As for talent, I don’t know if I would go that far hahah; it’s like anything though—if you're persistent and practice, you only get better and better.

What was the first instrument (musical or non-musical) you started making music with?

Piano—I’ve been playing piano since I was 5 so ya, it’s my go-to. Not a huge fan of writing music on guitar.

You recently released a cover of MUNA’s “Crying on the Bathroom Floor”. What was the process behind selecting and creating the cover/video?

I like writing covers of tracks where I completely rearrange them and make it my own. I just loved the song so much, so it made sense. I’ve never done an acoustic thing or any sort of live video, so I just wanted to try it and Kaela and Alisa were down, and it actually turned out so awesome. I never play guitar so I was basically having a mini panic attack when we filmed; Alisa had to give me a glass of whiskey because I was so nervous hahaha.

Who are some of your prominent musical influences?

Probably Radiohead, NIN, Moderat, and I’ll never stop loving the Backstreet Boyz ‘till the day I die hahah; their new single is AMAZING.

While on the road, what are some of your tour essentials?

My hair straightener, throat coat (which is a tea that soothes your throat), and whiskey - I have a glass of whiskey before and on stage every single night. Otherwise, I think I’d be too nervous to get up there haha.

If you weren’t a musical artist, what would you see yourself doing?

I really hate 9-5s, so anything that’s not a 9-5. Maybe photography or something; I also love cooking so ya I don’t know? Hahah.

What are some restaurants in Auckland you’d recommend?

Prego is my fav restaurant in Auckland; it has dope Italian food. Also, New Flavour is this amazing dumpling place which I always take people to. But ya, the food in Auckland is pretty amazing I must say, plus the coffee is the best.

Who is your favorite superhero character, and why?

Probably Batman—I have all the Frank Miller comics, The Killing Joke, and a million others. Plus, he wears all black like me—we are kindred spirits.

If there were a drink with the name “So Below”, what would it consist of?

Probably just an entire bottle of whiskey and a straw.

What’s a question you have wanted to get asked in an interview, and what’s the response to it?

Hmmm no one’s ever asked me about my love for Jake Jelly and how one day, we’re going to get married. I even wrote a song about how we’re meant to be together, which is going to be one of my next singles. Also, one of my favourite shows is Murder, She Wrote, but no one cares about it anymore, so it would be nice to be interviewed by a fellow fan haha.

A tremendous thank you to Maddie for taking the time and thought to respond to the questions, and to Victoria for coordinating!

Be sure to check out her amazing sound, along with following her on Twitter (@sobelowsound), Instagram (@sobelow), and liking her on Facebook (/sobelowsound)!