CMIL EXCLUSIVE: Maddie & Tae Talk ‘Start Here,’ Touring with Dierks Bentley & More
Maddie & Tae exploded onto the country music scene in 2014 with the release of their debut single, “Girl In A Country Song.” Since then, the duo has made their debut at the Grand Ole Opry, earned their first No.1 single, and had the chance to spend the summer on the road with Dierks Bentley. To say it’s been a banner year for Maddie Marlow and Taylor Dye would be an understatement.
Next up for Maddie & Tae is the much-anticipated release of their debut album, Start Here, on August 28.
Before the album hits stores, we caught up with the duo to chat about the release, touring with Bentley, and more. Check it out the interview below.
What’s it like to be releasing your debut album? What are some of the emotions you’re feeling?
MM: I am so excited to finally give our fans our full record! We’ve worked on this record for 5 years and co wrote every song on it. We are really proud of this record and the story it tells. I can’t wait to show everyone what we are all about and inspired by. I think I’m most excited to have this music out so we can hear our fans singing back to us on every song!!
TD: I am totally overjoyed! I think it all hit me when I was writing my thank yous to put in the album packaging. I wrote down everyone who had been apart of my personal journey and a huge feeling of gratefulness washed over me. I’ve had the best support system over the years & thanks to them I am living out my dream!
People often compare your music to a few of the greats, like the Dixie Chicks and Shania Twain. What does that mean to you?
MM: Being compared to your biggest influence growing up is the best compliment. You can hear the Dixie Chicks especially in our music. We were inspired by them at such a young age and still carry that with us today. I own every single record of theirs haha!
TD: To be compared to people that we’ve looked up to our whole lives is incredible. We definitely channeled our inner Dixie Chicks & Shania while writing and recording the album so it’s neat when people can hear that!
The topic of women in country music has been talked about so much lately. How does it feel to be a woman making country music right now?
MM: For some reason country music has been so male dominant for the past couple of years but I feel the change. I hear women on the radio almost just as much as men these days which makes me so happy! I love the guys but I think we were all missing some female perspectives. I think the trick to being a male or female and trying to make it in country music is just being true to yourself and having an identity. You have to know who you are and believe in that and people will believe in you.
TD: I think us women have a lot to say and when our fans connect as well as they have that’s just validation for us that we are doing something right! There hasn’t been a lot of female perspectives out there lately so we feel blessed that our voices & stories are being heard.
Dierks Bentley is an amazing entertainer and person – what have you learned from being on the road with him?
MM: I’ve learned so much about connecting with an audience from him. I’ve watched the show from the audience and he makes every person feel like they are best friends. He told me one time that you can’t look over the crowd, you have to look at them or you won’t connect. You’ve got to look people in the eyes and that’s how you truly connect. I love the way he values his family and no matter how successful he is, that is his #1. He is very inspiring as an artist but the heart he has is even more inspiring to me.
What is something you’ve learned about Dierks that may surprise some fans?
MM: If he forgets his lyrics, he will literally write different ones on the spot on stage! It’s crazy! I know just about every word to every song so if he forgets a line or lyric he just makes something else up and it sounds just as good. I wish I had that skill haha!! (I forget lyrics at least every 3 shows.)
TD:He’s such a great father!! Being out on the road as much as he is it can be tough to still make time for family but he does nothing short of that. He’s a total family man & his kids adore him!
As you prepare for your upcoming headlining tour, what are some things that you must have on the road with you?
MM: I’ve got to have a mini steamer! You can’t fit an iron on a tour bus and that’s the fastest way and easiest way to get the wrinkles out 🙂 also a yoga mat for working out and a fuzzy blanket that smells like home 🙂
TD: A warm fuzzy blanket
Maddie & Tae are gearing up for an insane lead up to their August 28 release. They will perform on TODAY as part of the Summer Concert Series on September 1 before kicking off their headlining tour beginning October 7 at New York’s Highline Ballroom.
