Bill Madden

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For the New York sports columnist, see Bill Madden (sportswriter).

Bill Madden is an American singer-songwriter, also regarded as an indie and an activist. Madden is best known for his environmental song and music video Gone, a "metaphorical environmental warning alert"^[1] which sparked debate internationally and aired on U.S.^[2] and Canadian^[3] music video television networks and film festivals^[4] as well as won numerous awards^[5][6] and commendations.^{[7][8][9][10][11]} Madden's music is typically labeled as alternative folk rock or neofolk. Due to his use of metaphor, poetry and the socio/political and spiritual content of his lyrics, he’s been compared to Bob Dylan.^[12][13][14]

Bill Madden
Bill Madden
Background information
Origin	Costa Mesa, California United States
Genre(s)	Singer-Songwriter, Folk Rock, Indie Rock
Instrument(s)	Vocals, Guitar, Piano
Years active	1995 – Present
Label(s)	MADMUSE
Website	www.billmadden.com

Contents 1 Musical Career: Original Indie 2 Activism 2.1 Environmentalism 2.2 Guns and Violence 2.3 Poverty and Materialism 2.4 War 3 Praise and Criticism 4 Philosophy 5 Lyrics or Poetry? 6 Discography 6.1 Albums 6.2 Video 7 Contributing Musicians 8 Comparisons 9 Footnotes 10 External links

[edit] Musical Career: Original Indie

Madden was originally signed by Paul Atkinson, former guitarist for The Zombies. When RCA shelved Madden's project, disillusioned with the major labels, Madden co-founded MADMUSE and released Chillin’ In Hades in 1995, Samsara's Grip in 2004, and Gone in 2006.^[15]

[edit] Activism

As an indie, Madden freely and passionately expresses himself. Some of the frequent and recurring themes in his music include heavy anti-war sentiment, anger towards the harm caused by guns and violence, distaste of poverty, a plead for ethics and accountability by politicians and business leaders, need for ethics and welfare of the global community as a whole, and crys against the harm to our environment.

[edit] Environmentalism

In the title track Gone, Madden is tough on politicians and writes:

Mother Earth's a mess from pollution and war
Pillaged like a disposable whore
Environment is a news byte at best
A pile of paper on a bureaucrat's desk
One day we're gonna wake up
To the damage that we've done
One day we're gonna find everything
Gone, gone, gone from the damage done

[edit] Guns and Violence

Madden also expresses anger towards the harm caused by guns and violence. From the album Chillin’ In Hades, in Here And Now, which debuted on MTV's Real World Boston episode #20,^[16] Madden sings about the 1992 Los Angeles riots in the aftermath of the Rodney King verdict: "The verdict wasn’t good / So we burned down the neighborhood."

In Murder from the album Samsara's Grip, Madden writes about the alcohol and drug induced hit and run homicide of a child and other acts of violence. In Fools' Parade, he writes about the frequency of violence in every day life, "It's become a common occurrence / Nobody respecting nobody else."

[edit] Poverty and Materialism

Another recurring theme of Madden's is poverty and materialism. In Here And Now from the album Chillin’ In Hades, Madden sings "hungry people need jobs and shelter." In Reconcile, which debuted on MTV's Real World Boston (Episode #14),^[17] Madden cautions "And not judge others / By race or wealth." Additionally, in World Just Is from the album Samsara's Grip, Madden writes:

Among the dust and ruin
Are diamonds in the ashes
And flowers in the weeds
Young souls in soiled linen
Of smiling dirty faces
Who dare to believe
In miracles and incredible things

In Experience, also from the album Samsara's Grip, Madden writes:

There’s nothin’ really
To acquire
Everything’s rented
When you expire
You don’t need
All this material shit
Simplify
Get rid of it

In the album Gone, he expands his views in What In The World, "It’s a preoccupation of powerful nations / To award the rich in exchange for donations."

[edit] War

Madden actively opposes war in his songs. On the album Gone, Madden's anti-war sentiments are evident in Dangerous Game, Everything And That, Gone, Weight of His Words, and What In The World.^[18] In Dangerous Game, Madden refers to 'black gold'^[19] and infers that oil played a larger role than President Bush admits^[20] by questioning "How many barrels of blood does it take to fill an SUV these days?" and demanding an honest explanation from the Bush administration as to why America invaded Iraq.^[21]

Currently, anti-war sentiments in song are prevalent; however, in 2004, Madden was among the minority of musicians who challenged President George W. Bush’s "You're either with us or against us"^[22] rhetoric. ^[23] Madden spoke out in opposition to the Bush administration's invasion of Iraq in print and on the album Samsara’s Grip in Om Tat Sat, Consequence Of War, and World Just Is.

[edit] Praise and Criticism

Madden's outspoken and controversial style has resulted in his being the subject of multiple non-trival published works. Accordingly, he has either been praised for his passion, insight and conviction or criticized for his opinions and experimental nature. On the one hand, critics have labeled his work, particularly the album Gone, a critical triumph,^{[24][25][26][27]} noting "the title track in particular [as] marvelous."^[28] On the other hand, others have been less favorable. Appreciation of his work might be based on the listeners own views.^{[29][30][31][32]} Perhaps the harshest criticism of Madden was his album Samsara's Grip. Samsara’s Grip was controversial not only for its lyrics and anti-war stance but also for its album cover which shows a boxer brief clad three year old (Madden), innocently and unbeknownst to him, exposing his manhood. Consequently, some radio stations that considered the cover to be lewd and indecent, refused to play the album.^{[33][34][35][36]} However, radio stations had reacted differently with Chillin' In Hades, as it made several Top 25 lists on adult album alternative (Triple A) and college radio stations across the U.S., and hit No. 1 at KSJD in Colorado.^[37]

Vocally, Madden's voice has been described as a "deep breathy voice [that] serenades listeners,"^[38] full of range,^[39] melodic, and "reminiscent of Jeff Buckley."^[40] Some are less enthusiastic about his vocals; noting "his vocals occasionally straining".^[41] Nevertheless, the consensus appears to be his strength in lyrics and writing^[42] and the existence of meaning in each of Madden's songs, "thoughtful and sensitive."^[43] "Every song here [in Gone] is vital, and it is the strength of the body of work which is most startling."^[44] Madden has been described as "idiosyncratic"^[45] and his eclecticism is widely recognized resulting in Madden not being pigeonholed into a set genre.^[46]

[edit] Philosophy

Madden's music is influenced by Eastern Philosophy, the teachings of Krishnamurti, and existentialism. Lessons from these teachings are prevalent in Madden's work. Path of the Heart blends metaphor (“your guru’s been waiting for eyes unclouded by fear”) with Eastern Philosophy (“truth waits for eyes unclouded by longing,” from the Tao Te Ching, and “when the student is ready, the teacher will appear,” a Buddhist proverb).^[47] In it “satchitananda,” a Hindu term which translates into “sat” (truth), “chit” (consciousness), “ananda” (absolute bliss). The state of “satchitananda” is the state in which Atman (self) merges with Brahman (God).^[48] Art Of Being was inspired by Zen in the Art of Archery by Eugen Herrigel and Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig.^[49]

Shrink The Guru, from the album Samsara's Grip, reflects a Madden struggling with his thoughts:

Learning to quiet
A violent mind through zen
I was looking on the outside
When the answer was within

As noted by Justin Kownacki of Splendid Magazine, "The inherent paradox in Madden's work, and in Eastern philosophy in general, is summed up in World Just Is, on which he observes, 'The world just is what it is/What’s it ever gonna be but this.'"^[50]

In Only Us from the album Chillin' In Hades, listeners hear the secular teachings of Krishnamurti:

It’s time we sow
A seed of love
A seed of hope
It’s time we trust
Just because
There’s only us

[edit] Lyrics or Poetry?

Madden's activism and philosophy are prevalent in his lyrics. In addition, Madden frequently delivers social commentary. In any case, Madden is regarded as a poet^[51] and recognized for his natural talent for writing poetic and profound lyrics.^[52]

Madden's poetic influences include poets Dylan Thomas and Hart Crane. Right In The Head, from the album Samsara's Grip, was based on the Dylan Thomas poem Love in the Asylum. Friend, from the album Gone, was inspired by the Dylan Thomas poem To Others Than You.^[53]

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

• Chillin’ In Hades (1995, MADMUSE)
• Samsara’s Grip (2004, MADMUSE)
• Gone (2006, MADMUSE)

[edit] Video

• Gone (2006, MADMUSE)

[edit] Contributing Musicians

• Gannin Arnold: Guitarist for Foo Fighters drummer, Taylor Hawkins' band, Taylor Hawkins and The Coattail Riders and the Jimmy Chamberlin Complex.
• Jimmy Chamberlin: Drummer for the Smashing Pumpkins and the Jimmy Chamberlin Complex.
• Alan Deremo: Bassist on the albums: Sting The Living Sea: Soundtrack from the IMAX Film and Dave Alvin King of California; Band member of Colin Hay.
• Jonathan Dresel: Drummer for Cleo and the Cletones, the house band on the ABC-TV late-night television program, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and Keiko Matsui.
• Ludvig Girdland: Cellist for Sting, Diana Krall, Macy Gray, and Vanessa Carlton.
• Jason Halbert: Organist, pianist and musical director for Kelly Clarkson; Halbert played piano on Clarkson's multi-platinum, Grammy Award winning album Breakaway.
• Drew Hester: Percussionist for the Foo Fighters; co-producer of Taylor Hawkins and The Coattail Riders; and drummer for Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh.
• Jimmy Messer: Guitarist and producer for Kelly Clarkson.
• Ian Miller: Co-producer of Jann Browne album Missed Me by a Mile.
• Billy Mohler: Bassist and multi-instrumentalist for the Jimmy Chamberlin Complex; Mohler co-produced Life Begins Again; former member of The Calling; bassist on Liz Phair album Somebody's Miracle.
• Edmund Monsef: Engineer on the Jimmy Chamberlin Complex album Life Begins Again and the Depeche Mode double A-side single John the Revelator / Lilian.
• Charlie Paxson: Drummer on James Blunt album Back to Bedlam and Tina Turner/Elisa duet single Teach Me Again; recorded with Enya, Tom Rothrock, and Colin Hay.
• Jack Sherman: Guitarist on the albums: Red Hot Chili Peppers The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bob Dylan Knocked Out Loaded, and Peter Case Blue Guitar.
• Cameron Stone: Cellist on the albums: Tracy Chapman New Beginning and Collection, Ann Danielewski, also known as Poe, Hello; Anna Nalick Wreck of the Day, Lana Lane Secrets of Astrology (Think Tank), and Jeremy Camp Restored (Deluxe Gold Edition).
• Adam Watts: Drummer, solo artist and producer; Watts co-produced three Jeremy Camp albums: Stay, Carried Me, and Restored.
• Sean Woolstenhulme: Guitarist for the Jimmy Chamberlin Complex and The Calling.

[edit] Comparisons

Bill Madden has been compared to these musicians and singer-songwriters:

• Jeff Buckley
• Leonard Cohen
• Gavin Degraw
• Bob Dylan
• George Harrison
• Willy Mason
• Conor Oberst
• Tom Petty
• Dave Pirner
• Elliot Smith
• Paul Weller

[edit] Footnotes

[edit] External links

• Bill Madden Official Site
• Andrew David Watson - "Gone" music video director