Original Rock catches up with Northampton rising star Maddox Jones on his summer football anthem, developing his unique sound, collaboration and his upcoming album…
Congratulations on the release of “England Together”! Could you tell us more about the inspiration behind the song and what it means to you personally?
I wanted to write a song about unity that brings people together. The lyrics talk about how football brings everyone in the country together when England are playing in a major tournament. To me it means sharing moments with my friends, which are made all the better when England win of course 😅.
What musical features and techniques were used to create your ideal football anthem?
We wanted to go for that indie rock sound for this one. The guitars are big and chunky, the drums are inspired by 70s rock and we included some brass recorded live at the studio. We wanted to create a bit of a raucous vibe that makes you want to sing a long at the top of your voice.
Your upcoming album is described as your most raw and honest work to date. How does this reflect your evolution as an artist since your debut EP “Headspace”?
I’ve evolved a lot as writer and a person in the 4 years since the release of the Headspace EP. I try to be honest with all of my work. This album is all about me being a bit older, going to therapy and how I’m feeling about life at the moment. I’ve tried to be a bit more stripped back on some of the songs as well- some songs are just me and a piano.
Your sound has been compared to artists like Rag n Bone Man and Tom Walker. How do you feel about these comparisons, and how do you see your music evolving in the future?
I love those artists so it is a pleasure to be likened to them. I just see me becoming more Maddox Jones if that makes sense. I’ll always get inspired by other music and then somehow it becomes my own during the writing process!
Collaborations seem to be a significant part of your career. Can you talk about your approach to collaborating with other artists and how it influences your own music?
I usually slide into their DMs and see if they are up for collaborating. I think collabs are so important for personal growth and development as well growing your fan base. Music is a shared experience and so working with other artists makes the process so much fun.
Your upcoming album is highly anticipated. What can fans expect from this new project?
It’s an account of where I’m at as an artist right now. There’s some songs on there that I am super proud of! It’s a mix of upbeat and more thoughtful. I can’t wait for people to hear!
You’ve had the opportunity to perform at prestigious festivals like Reading & Leeds and Glastonbury. How do you prepare for these large-scale performances, and what’s been your most memorable moment on stage so far?
Rehearsals are always so important ahead of big shows just making sure everything is tight. Also picking the right set list that will keep people that are new to my music interested!
Supporting Placebo and Robert Smith has definitely been a highlight for me!
Looking back at your journey so far, what advice would you give to aspiring musicians who are just starting out in the industry?
Just do what you wanna do and don’t let people change you! That being said – always be open to trying new things and network with as many open as possible – music is about community!