If you don’t yet have a road trip lined up, start planning one now. Howard’s latest single Missing Pieces is an optimistic piece of writing, and its place is with the windows down on the way to a bach. Missing Pieces was inspired by student life, and “trying to figure things out”. Howard captures the essence of student living brilliantly through her lyrics. The line “I’m cold, I hate these curtains” is a sentiment familiar to anyone who’s experienced flatting in New Zealand. The song is by no means negative; it serves as a time capsule for one of those 'rite of passage' life stages.
Howard’s vocal performance on this track is smooth and precise. She delivers her lyrics with a charming nonchalance. She showcases another infectiously catchy chorus, and a driving rhythm section. The single is well produced and arranged with personality. Madeleine Howard is a new name, but certainly one worth following. Missing Pieces is just one of several singles released in anticipation of her debut EP Just Reaching Out.
Right from a young age, pop artist Madeleine Howard has been influenced by New Zealand’s talented female musicians. Drawing inspiration from the likes of Brooke Fraser, Anika Moa and Bic Runga, Madeleine has worked hard to develop her own unique and undeniably distinctive Kiwi sound.
Hailing from Hawkes Bay, in 2013, Madeleine was accepted into the University of Otago’s Contemporary Performance Programme. For four years she studied under Lecturers including Dr Graeme Downes (The Verlaines,) Dr Ian Chapman and Nick Hollamby. During her time at university, Madeleine built up a catalogue of her own material, developing a Dunedin-influenced sound, mixed with a classic singer-songwriter vibe.
After relocating to Christchurch, Madeleine is now part of the Artist Development programme at SOLE Music Academy, where she has been developing and recording her music with Sacha Vee and Will McGillivray (nomad.) In the coming months, she will release consecutive singles from her debut EP Just Reaching Out.