Catch Of The Week: Madelyn Paquette
Meet Madelyn Paquette from Sudbury
Poised, passionate, professional, perceptive, polished. Performer. Poet. Not a perfectionist.
Madelyn Paquette is all of these things, and more. And she knows perfection is not attainable, now. There was a time, it could have stood in her way. Her journey to this discovery has led her to an important piece of music in her career. Paquette’s latest original offering is called “Perfectionist.” She describes what brought her to this place, and this piece below. (“Perfectly Paquette)
It was a case of nature and nurture that inspired Madelyn to sing, play and perform. She was obviously naturally gifted, but also grew up in a very musical home. By the time she was ten years old, Madelyn was making her own music, writing her own songs. Now she is “perfecting” her craft at NYU’s prestigious Tisch School of the Arts, studying at the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music.
I can’t wait to hear what the future holds for this talented singer/songwriter. One thing is for sure, it won’t be perfect. And that’s what makes art, and humanity, beautiful.
Perfectly Paquette
Regarding Madelyn’s new song,”Perfectionist,” she said:
“I wrote “Perfectionist” in my bedroom during the summer of 2020 in quarantine. It’s my most autobiographical, vulnerable song to date, and a reflection of what I know so many young girls feel: the pressure to compare to others, to rise above the noise, to say the right things, to look the best, and to excel the most. I’ve felt the need to prove my worth to those around me since I was young. It stems from insecurity that I’ve just recently started to face and heal from. That’s why it took me the last ten years not only to get this song right, but to realize the story’s significance to me. “Perfectionist” is advice my mom gave me for years: perfect doesn’t exist. We shouldn’t compare our successes or failures to anyone else’s- we’re all on our own journeys. I hope girls and women, or anyone feeling the same kind of pressure hears “Perfectionist” and remembers to love themselves as they are, and treat themselves with grace!”
Push play to listen to “Perfectionist”
More on Madelyn
Grew up in: Sudbury, MA
Now lives in: New York City
Current single: Perfectionist
What led you to music: Since I can remember I’ve always loved to sing and express myself through music. My dad played the piano and sang with me a lot, and taught me how to harmonize when I was pretty young. Several members of his family have professional
music careers, including my uncle who fronts a 4x Grammy-nominated jazz big band in Germany. Both my parents love folk, country and singer-songwriter music by the likes of James Taylor; Peter, Paul & Mary; Dolly Parton and John Denver, so listening to that
growing up made me fall in love with the art of the lyric. When I picked up a copy of Taylor Swift’s debut album in fourth grade, I started writing my own songs right away, and the rest is history.
How old when you started: 10 years old
First country song you learned: “Bless The Broken Road” by Rascal Flatts
Instruments played: Guitar, Piano
How would you describe your sound: A blend of country, pop, singer-songwriter and sometimes a little bit of folk
Who inspires you: Recently, Ben Rector, Lori Mckenna and Emily Weisband are three songwriters I really look up to. They’re my inspiration for approaching popular topics with a fresh and unique lens, for compelling lyricism and for transforming “normal” human
experiences into profound stories. In a more personal sense, I’m surrounded every single day by my friends and peers who make music, who are some of the most hardworking and talented people I’ve ever known. We celebrate, teach and empower each other constantly, and being part of such an amazing musical community is deeply inspiring.
Awards/accolades:
•John Lennon Songwriting Contest, 2021 Country Grand Prize Winner, “Move In”
•John Lennon Songwriting Contest, 2020 Country Finalist, “Perfectionist”
•Independent Music Award, 2020, Best Country Song, “Broke Like Me”
•National YoungArts Foundation Winner, 2017
•U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts Finalist, 2018
Dream duet partner: Taylor Swift
All- time favorite country song: I have many… but my go-to will always be “Bless The Broken Road,” which also happens
to be the first country song I ever learned.
First country concert: Keith Urban
What songs do you like now on Country 1025: Lately I’ve been loving “Things A Man Oughta Know” by Lainey Wilson and “Like A Lady” by Lady A
If you weren’t a musician, what would you be doing: If I weren’t a musician I’d definitely work in management, publishing or A&R or something like that. I think in any/all parallel universes I’d choose to work in and around the music business. I love photography too so
maybe I’d do that?
Day Job: I’m a senior at NYU’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music. I also work at an awesome NYU startup called GigFinesse: a company that tech-enables and streamlines the show-booking process.
Most proud moment: Whenever the audience sings my own song lyrics back to me! These are definitely some of the most fulfilling moments of my life. It lets me know that regardless of anything I may be going through, my songs resonate with people and that’s my ultimate goal.
Crazy thing that happened in your music career: Last week, I was awarded the John Lennon Songwriting Contest Grand Prize in the Country category for my song “Move In!” I was so surprised and excited to hear this news, and it’s just such a huge honor. I still can’t believe it!
Other things you like to do: I love to cook/bake and spend time outside (especially in the fall!!)
Fun facts:
1) I’m related to a French king who reigned in 987
2) I dip every kind of chip in salsa, even if they’re already flavored
3) I’ve broken almost every one of my toes
Mantra: Don’t spend all your energy trying to achieve perfection- it doesn’t exist.
Madelyn Live
If you are in New York City…
• October 2nd – the Bowery Electric NYC opening for Marielle Kraft
• November 13th- Writers round at The Cutting Room NYC
Paquette On The Internet
Every week, Kruser’s Local Catch highlights New England’s homegrown country music talent, and tells you where to catch them locally and in Nashville. Click here to view previous catches.
*Singer/songwriters with original music: Please submit for consideration on The Local Catch by emailing Kruser at [email protected]
