Madeleine Peyroux, a jazz-inspired singer-songwriter, shares her musical journey from busking in Paris to recording her latest album, 'Let’s Walk,' co-written with guitarist Jon Herington. They discuss their creative process during the pandemic, highlighting the importance of mentorship from figures like Dan William Fitzgerald and Dr. Cornel West. Madeleine reveals how personal struggles influenced her songwriting and reflects on the transition from covering classic tunes to crafting original compositions that blend love, pain, and authenticity.
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Quick takeaways
Madeleine Peyroux's transition to original compositions reflects her personal growth and deeper emotional expression influenced by the pandemic's challenges.
Her collaboration with Jon Herington highlights the importance of shared experiences and storytelling in creating music that addresses both personal and societal issues.
Deep dives
Exploring New Musical Horizons
Madeline Pérou's new album, "Let's Walk," showcases a transition from covering classic songs to focusing on original compositions co-written with her long-time collaborator, John Harrington. This shift reflects a personal journey through the challenges of isolation during the pandemic, compelling her to express more intimate and topical themes. The duo's productive collaboration emerged from a shared need to create and connect during a time of uncertainty. They experienced a breakthrough when they were encouraged by their producer to solely focus on their original works rather than relying on familiar covers.
Collaborative Creative Process
The partnership between Pérou and Harrington evolved from purely performing together into a deep songwriting collaboration, marking a significant change in their professional relationship. They spent considerable time developing the album's songs, making it a collective effort that yielded a more cohesive sound. Their shared musical history played a critical role in their ability to push the boundaries of their creative expression. This collaboration challenged them to yield original pieces instead of reverting to past interpretations, leading to a more authentic representation of their artistic identities.
Impact of Personal Experiences
During the conversation, Pérou reflects on the influence of her personal background and experiences, including the mentorship from a figure named Dan William Fitzgerald, who shaped her understanding of music and life. She discusses the importance of storytelling in her songs, drawing inspiration from the resilience shown during the pandemic. Pérou describes how her music serves as a channel for addressing broader social issues, demonstrating that personal narratives can resonate with universal themes. By intertwining her life experiences with her creative output, she aims to create music that is not only entertaining but also politically and socially evocative.
The Role of Political Themes in Music
Madeline highlights that her approach to love songs often incorporates political undertones, reflecting her belief that personal relationships and societal issues are interconnected. She expresses how understanding and addressing themes like love and conflict within relationships articulates a deeper narrative about society at large. The stories told through classic jazz and blues artists resonate with her philosophy, where love is often intertwined with struggle and injustice. By weaving in messages inspired by thinkers like Dr. Cornel West, she endeavors to create music that invites listeners to engage in meaningful discussions about love, justice, and their own personal struggles.
Madeleine Peyroux is a jazz-inspired singer songwriter who got her start singing in street bands in Paris as a teenager. In 1996, Atlantic Records released Madeline’s debut album where she covered tunes from the ‘30s and ‘40s by artists like Bessie Smith and Billie Holiday—and then later she recorded songs by Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen.
This year Madeleine Peyroux released Let’s Walk, her first album of all-original songs co-written with her long-time touring guitar player, Jon Herington.
On today’s episode Bruce Headlam talks to Madeleine and Jon Herington about their creative process throughout the pandemic and they play a couple songs from their new album. Madeleine also remembers her early days busking with a bohemian ex-pat named Dan William Fitzgerald who became her musical mentor. And she explains how Dr. Cornel West became her guiding light during a recent bout of personal despair.
You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Madeleine Peyroux songs HERE.