Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Maddox Jones

Maddox Jones is an up-and-coming pop musician from across the pond. Having grown up in a Christian commune that had no TV or radio, music became an escape for Maddox and a way for him to express himself creatively.

Later this year, he is set to release his debut EP, which perfectly encapsulates his journey as a man and artist. He’s giving us the first taste of what to expect with his single, “Headspace.”

Pop Culturalist caught up with Maddox to learn more about him and what’s ahead.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Maddox: I think growing up in a Christian community with no other form of entertainment, like TV and radio. It made us very creative as that was all we had to do. I wrote songs all the time and that made me into the songwriter I am today.

PC: You’re embarking on your own as a solo artist. What was the biggest lesson you learned as the frontman of a band that you’ve been able to apply to this next chapter?
Maddox: I’ve learned that collaborating with other musicians and producers is really important. You can feel quite cut off just on your own writing music, so it’s important to reach out and write and produce with others. Plus, it’s way more fun.

PC: Tell us about your single, “Headspace.” What inspired the song?
Maddox: “Headspace” is about being a safe place for someone when they’re down and alone. As human beings, many of us sometimes try and go at it alone and pretend everything’s okay when it’s not. This song is about being there for that person. It was written when I was first getting into meditation, and if you listen to the lyrics you will notice that they have that guided meditation vibe.

PC: It’s the first track off of your upcoming debut EP. What can fans expect from the release?
Maddox: “Headspace” is a chilled after-party track. It’s got a four-on-the-floor beat and is built around a simple chord sequence that keeps repeating. It’s perfect to lift us all out of lockdown; it’s a warm hug of a song. The rest of the EP tells a story of me wanting to better myself and how I got to where I am today. It’s very autobiographical and authentically me.

PC: If you had to choose one song off your debut EP that best encompasses who you are as an artist, what would it be and why?
Maddox: That’s a hard one, but I would say “No More Ghosts.” It’s got everything I love about music: it’s emotional, dramatic, epic, and has a bit of darkness to it. That was the first song I wrote for the EP and I can’t wait for it to be released.

To keep up with Maddox, follow him on Twitter, Instagram, and Spotify. Pick up or stream “Headspace” today.