There was a time when Portland bands were the top of the list for me to see (such as The Lower 48 that ended their run in 2018 and, of course, Y La Bamba). I once told music friends that I'd never seen a Portland band that I didn't love immediately. For some reason, I don't feel like I run across Portland bands all that often these days. Perhaps I need to be more purposeful in my search.
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| Madisenxoxo at The Goldfish |
In mid-September, I got to quench my thirst for Portland music when Madisenxoxo (a fun Gossip Girl moniker for Madisen Halberg) hit the stage at the Rocknite showcase at The Goldfish. Her music at core is alternative pop that drifts between dream pop, Americana, and experimental. Her singing voice impressed as she was able to hit the high notes in the most gentle fashion.
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| Madisenxoxo at The Goldfish |
What did I notice about her band? Her bassist, Julian, was on a first name basis with everyone in the audience. How did he do that? I noticed when he first walked up on stage, he immediately shook the hand of someone who was standing nearest to him. When Halberg was having a brief technical issue, he jumped into action and asked everyone to yell out their names. When I decided to switch photo locations and move in his direction, he asked me for my name.
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| Madisenxoxo at The Goldfish |
Madisenxoxo's bio reads as such: Songwriting is her way of expressing both beauty and pain, often coming hand in hand and complimenting one another . . . her latest EP [Mothership] unravels the growing pains of young adulthood and letting go of the past. It's a combination of many influences, ranging from soft-spoken folk to bedroom pop and rock.
The EP Mothership was released in 2023. A new one appears to be around the corner as she mentioned that she was mainly singing new songs. Only two songs from her 7 song setlist are currently out there in the universe. Her first song ever released was her first song of the set, "Baby in Blue." Since her Spotify account mentioned that she is 22, I would assume that the song was released when she was just a teenager. The song seems to indicate that she was somewhat enamored with jazz growing up.
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| Madisenxoxo at The Goldfish |
The other released song on the setlist is "Control Freak." It shifts into the direction of alt pop that could easily include some headbanging (that she did not do while on The Goldfish stage). I see the song being about a friend or lover wanting to end their relationship with her, because they see her as a control freak and this is her tearful response.
There’s clothes on the floor,I think some of them are yours
And all I really want
is you to hold me
Setlist: Baby in Blue, Cherry, Control Freak, I Don't Write About You, Fault Line, These Arms, GBFN.
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