Bay Area artist Madeline Kenney just released her new album, A New Reality Mind, via Carpark. From our Notable Releases review: “Sparkly synthpop and saxophone flit across these songs, with Madeline’s cool voice a soothing balm and anchor. Her search for self-acceptance after a heartbreak makes for a compelling and often danceable listen, full of shifting textures.” Listen to the album below.
Madeline was nice enough to tell us more about the album, making us a list of 10 songs that influenced A New Reality Mind, including The Blue Nile, Laurie Anderson, Jenny Hval, Beth Orton, and more. Check out her list and commentary below.
Madeline Kenney – 10 songs that influenced A New Reality Mind!
Jenny Hval – “Take Care of Yourself”
I started listening to Jenny Hval after my friend Jenn Wasner sat me down and showed me all of her music videos when we were working on Perfect Shapes together. There’s this bare vulnerability in her songwriting; pure honesty and bravery and a complete lack of sugarcoating. I would love to one day be as truthful as she is here: “Am I loving myself now? Am I mothering myself? Am I taking care of myself now?”
Laurie Anderson – “Coolsville”
Laurie Anderson is so effortlessly playful. I love the vocal effects and colloquialisms in this song, and I love the live version — it’s dramatic and she plays it off so well. This tune encouraged me to sit back and have a bit of a sense of humor about things.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOmE_6nN3Zs
The Blue Nile – “Saturday Night”
If I’m honest, ‘Reality Mind’ is just my version of ‘Saturday Night’. The washy 80’s drums, the synthy drones and atmosphere — I am addicted to this album and I wanted my own version of it when I sat down to write “Reality Mind.” He is a fantastic producer. Unparalleled world-building in my opinion.
Deradoorian – “Your Creator”
My touring drummer introduced me to this record a while back, citing it as a major influence on her own songwriting (for her old project Dead Recipe). I really love the experimentation in the vocals, the harmonies and layering, and the totally fun and playful instrumentation. It feels lighthearted and adventurous, not putting on airs.
Stephen Steinbrink – “A Part of Me is a Part of You”
I was super fortunate to tour with Stephen for a short period of time, singing three-part harmony along with our friend Taylor Vick. I love the drum machine in this song, and I swear the guitar solo has been a reference point for my last two records. It’s…SO…. CLEAN!!!! Insane!! Also, and most importantly, this song is SO fun to sing. I wanted to try and make something that felt good to sing along to the way Stephen’s tune does. I attempted that on Superficial Conversation, but I don’t think I got anywhere close. Stephen is a master.
Shabason & Krgovich – “I Am So Happy with My Little Dog”
I listened to this song ten times in a row the day it came out. It was revelatory for me. I adore everything Nicholas Krgovich has ever made, and I get a bit rabid when he releases anything new. At Scaramouche is inspiring as a whole, but what I loved about this tune was the diary-entry style of writing that is still totally captivating and relatable (kinda like the sweetie-synth-pop version of Benji but more cute and fun) I love the tenderness here, and I wanted to try something similar.
Arthur Russell – “Me For Real”
Any songwriter of our era is head over heels for AR, and I count myself in that cult fully (have a tattoo of his head on my arm of course). The drum machine work on this song is so boppy and fun; it’s weird and plays with pitch bending but remains so catchy. The cello grounds the weirdness in chordal bliss and the non-lyric lyrics make me want to totally rethink how writing should work.
Laura Jean – “Teenager Again”
This is maybe one of the more classic indie-rock songs on this list, but I think it’s such an inventive lyrical adventure. I adore her honesty and it’s just so fun to sing along to, despite it being slightly devastating.
Westerman – “Ark”
Ah! Our 21st Century Hero of direct guitar!! Obsessed with his dry-ass guitar tones and murderously catchy choruses. I also just love the sentiment of this song. It’s melancholy but tender and generous. Also, I am unabashedly a fan of talk-singing, which this traipses lightly in to.
Beth Orton – “Weather Alive”
This track is absolutely gut wrenching, and I attempted to get a little close to that on my song “It Carries On” – I tried to also echo the gorgeous piano playing on this track. But I’m afraid nobody can get even close to her orbit. She’s a practiced master of her craft with a totally unique lane.
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Madeline will be on tour starting August 11 in Portland, including shows with Kaycie Satterfield, Fat Tony, Ben Sloan, Jordan Thewlis, and Poppy Patica. She’ll play Brooklyn’s Baby’s All Right on September 21 with Ben Sloan. All dates are here:
Madeline Kenney – 2023 Tour Dates
8/11 – Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge #
8/12 – Seattle, WA @ Barboza #
8/13 – Vancouver, BC @ Wise Hall #
8/17 – Healdsburg, CA @ Little Saint +
8/18 – San Francisco, CA @ The Independent * +
8/19 – Los Angeles, CA @ Zebulon *
8/20 – Cayucos, CA @ Schooner’s
9/15 – Chicago, IL @ Schubas Tavern ^
9/20 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Lounge at World Cafe Live ^
9/21 – Brooklyn, NY @ Baby’s All Right ^
9/22 – Washington, DC @ Pie Shop %
9/23 – Durham, NC @ The Pinhook
# w/ Kaycie Satterfield
* w/ Fat Tony
^ w/ Ben Sloan
+ w/ Jordan Thewlis
% w/ Poppy Patica