The ever-evolving, electro-soul powerhouse Maddy O’Neal is gearing up towards her next big artistic statement.
Over the course of her career, the Denver-based artist has galvanized fans across the nation with her magnetic soulful bass stylings and hypnotic, hybrid DJ/drum pad live performances – a creative presence that’s led her to perform at renowned festivals such as Coachella, Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, Ultra Music Festival, earned her a direct support slot at REZZ’s recent Red Rocks show, and a needle drop at the Paris Olympics.
O’Neal is now revving toward her next full-length LP, VITAL SIGNS. Centered around themes of personal evolution – and navigating the emotional waves that come with a changing interior and exterior world – VITAL SIGNS will see O’Neal explore a bevy of genres, and forge her artistic throughline within a wide swath of soundscapes.
Last month, O’Neal gave fans their first taste of VITAL SIGNS with the LP’s lead single, “Locked In,” a collaboration with rapper and frequent GRiZ-collaborator ProbCause. Combining old school dubstep aesthetics with smooth flows from ProbCause, “Locked In” is an acute representation of O’Neal’s genre-blending mastery and an apt tone-setter for the worldbuilding of the VITAL SIGNS era.
Now, the versatile artist unveils the LP’s second single “Run It Back,” a collaboration with Three 6 Mafia co-founder DJ Paul and jamtronica keyboardist/producer Jason Leech. Fusing the virtuosic sensibilities of its three creators, “Run It Back” is a grandiose showcase of trunk-rattling production, shimmering keyboard melodies, and a heavy dose of Memphis hip-hop swagger. The track was the last one made for VITAL SIGNS, and represents a seamless creative partnership between two electronic virtuosos and the rap legend DJ Paul – who Maddy O’Neal met through a three-month bus tour with Cherub.
We had the pleasure of interviewing O’Neal, who shared the juicy details about her tour, her upcoming album, collaborations, and her latest track “Run It Back”.
EF: Tell us about your experience at Burning Man and playing at Red Rocks. What was your favorite part?
Maddy: Going from a sold-out Red Rocks show straight into three sets at Burning Man was actually insane. It was some of the best experiences of my entire life, going from direct support at Red Rocks with REZZ was a dream come true and to be a part of history with an all female lineup was even more special. Last year was my first burn and it cracked me wide open. Even though I knew I could only be there for a few days, I was determined to make it happen and I’m so glad I did. I came in hot and played two house sets and one bass set at some of my favorite camps and it was just legendary. So worth it! I’ll be on a high from last week for a minute.
EF: How was your experience collaborating with DJ Paul and Jason Leech in “Run It Back?”
Maddy: This collaboration with DJ Paul is truly a dream come true as a massive fan of Three 6 Mafia. He is such an amazing, talented dude and it was an honor to work with him. We connected way back in 2018 when I was on tour with Cherub and they were close with him. I loved the way they collaborated with him and that Paul was so open to it. I had kind of shemed for years on making something happen with him. We reconnected at Bonnaroo last year and I brought up the idea. I sent him a song but the timing didn’t work out. When I wrote this one and sent it to him it was an immediate fit. He wrote to it within a week and we laced it up. So proud of how it came out. I think it hits perfectly in both our worlds. Jason and I had started this track so long ago and when I was finishing up my album (or so I thought) I realized my record had a missing piece. It felt like it needed another vocal banger/anthem type tune on it and this ended up being the last minute addition to the whole record to round it out.
EF: What can we expect in your upcoming LP “VITAL SIGNS”? Any more collabs?
Maddy: VITAL SIGNS is set for release Tuesday, October 8. It is 10 tracks spanning from heavier bass, drum and bass, trap and future bass vibes. In my true form I cover a lot of bases on the album. There’s some really cool other collabs on the album – I’ll tease one of the names and tell you there’s also a Cherub collaboration on it. There’s a lot of full circle collab moments here from people that have had my back for a long time and that’s really cool.
EF: You’ve been touring non-stop since February. Care to share any highlights or stand-out moments from your tour?
Maddy: This entire year has been insane haha. This summer has been filled with festivals all summer long and I’m so grateful. I have been doing some MadHaus sets in the mix which is SO, SO fun for me. I’m glad I have found a way to brand those DJ sets separately and do both at festivals cause I just love spinning house music. A major highlight of my summer was definitely Electric Forest. I hadn’t been back there since 2018 and it blew me away. I played three sets there and they were all some of my favorite moments of my career. My main set was early Thursday around 5pm and I think I played for the biggest crowd I’ve ever played for (Other than just this last week at Red Rocks). I was blown away by the turnouts and the love.
EF: Anything else you’d like to share?
Maddy: What’s happening in my career right now feels so so special. I’ve been grinding for 12 years in the industry and it feels like I am finally getting some real momentum and recognition and it feels so good. The messages I get from people telling me how much my story and journey has inspired them or they feel like they’ve been a part of it because they have been supporting me all along is truly the coolest feeling in the world. I am excited for the future and to keep growing ALONGSIDE all the people that have helped me get to this point.
CONNECT WITH MADDY O’NEAL
Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | Spotify | Soundcloud
Maddy O’Neal tour dates
9/5/24: 45 East (Cascade Equinox pre-party) – Portland, OR
9/26/24 – 9/29/24: Wakaan Music Festival – Ozark, Arkansas
10/4/24: Public Works – San Francisco, CA
10/5/24: Offbeat Festival – Reno, NV
10/25/24: Suwannee Hulaween – Live Oak, FL
10/26/24: The Intersection – Grand Ra
Intro press release from JSloane Creative. Interview questions by Colin Eldridge.
