Music Spotlight: Madnap

Sep 9

Sep 9 Music Spotlight: Madnap

We’d like to introduce you to LA-based producer + songwriter Madnap. His latest track Throw It All Away, a collab with electronic production duo SMLE + vocalist Aviella, is easily one of our favorite releases of the summer with its flawless combination of evocative vocals + dancey production. We chatted with Kyle Fitzgibbons, the mastermind behind the moniker, all about his signature sound.

Asymmetric Magazine: Congrats on your latest release! Can you tell us about Throw It All Away?
Kyle Fitzgibbons: Thank you! I think Throw It All Away is a really fun song. SMLE and I had been wanting to work together and after a couple days in their old studio in their garage, we had the whole track outlined. We had such a great time making the track together, and I think thats very reflected in the sound of the song.

AM: How did the feature with Avielia come to be?
KF: I actually remember discussing after the very first session with SMLE that Aviella would be a great fit for the track. Luckily we had mutual connections and were able to get her into the studio months later to write and record her part.

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AM: How does it compare to your previous work like your debut solo EP SEASONS?
KF: SEASONS was really meant to establish my sound as an artist. I consider everything since then to be in the same era but build upon the sound that I established in SEASONS and take it to the next level. The new singles are all a lot bigger in terms of my production yet still maintain a lot of the same themes from back then.

AM: Are there any consistent themes you typically pursue?
KF: Kind of–more sonically than thematically. Thematically, the songs are pretty all over the place, which I think is great. Sonically, there are a lot of consistent themes that I like to draw on when working on various projects. I love combining different aspects of the types of music I listen to. It’s like having raw guitar over 808's and pretty chords—that’s just me!

AM: What other musicians are you currently listening to?
KF: I'm just going to go through my Spotify: Former Hero, Jaron, Iglooghost, CHINAH, Rich Brian, Tierra Whack, Hundaes, JPEGMAFIA, Moore Kismet, The Japanese House, Kim Petras, DaBaby, MISOGI, Instupendo, No Rome. I could go on forever.

AM: For first time listeners, how do you like to describe your sound?
KF: Its hard to describe. I love pretty chords with catchy melodies over them. I also love imperfection. I'm an imperfectionist if that’s a thing. My sound is very organic—not overly processed or mixed with all the frequencies perfectly cut. You can call it ‘Organic Electronic Music’.

AM: We’re based in LA, too, so we love to ask: Do you think LA plays a role in your work?
KF: It's awesome. I really like getting in the room with people to collaborate, and I've been able to do that for all of my recent singles with so many other artists in the area. I can also just stay in and focus solo if that’s better for me at the time or just go out and not think about music if that’s what I need. It’s versatile, which is great.

AM: Is there a place that you feel completely in touch with your creative self and your music?
KF: Nope! I'm most comfortable working in my room out of habit, but I really like moving around to new places for creativity.

AM: What can we expect to hear from you next?
KF: You won't stop hearing from me. I've got so much on the way, and I just want to keep it moving forward. IT’S NAPTIME.