Mad Gallica is a classically trained singer-pianist-composer and multi-instrumentalist born in Wilmington, NC and based in Los Angeles and Nashville. She grew up touring the southeast with her musical family, performing old-time Appalachian music and songs written by her parents. Mad Gallica immersed herself in the study of classical piano and voice throughout her formative years and graduated with a degree in vocal performance from Musician’s Institute in Los Angeles. In recent years, she has toured the world as a back-up vocalist and keyboardist, opening for Metallica, Ozzy, Guns N’ Roses, and System Of A Down.
Read our interview with her below:
For those who don’t know, how long have you been making music and how would you describe your style?
I’ve been creating music since I began taking piano lessons at age 7. I say this because I really hated reading music and just wanted to sit down and play whatever came to me. Luckily I had a very supportive family and piano instructor who nurtured my creative drive while also making sure that I did indeed learn how to read music. This has only helped me in my writing process. I recorded my first album at age 20 and released it under a different name. I transitioned into my current stage name Mad Gallica because it fits the style of music I am creating. I like to call it “rock-popera.” I draw inspiration from the classical masters I grew to love along with some of my favorite bands such as Queen and Muse with a little bit of Gaga thrown in. SOF represents the heart of that style – the orchestral part that I am going to build my future work upon. You can expect my next compositions to have a bigger sound with operatic choirs, Queen style stacked harmonies, rock instrumentation and a little splash of pop thrown in.
Could you briefly describe your music making process?
My music making process varies. Sometimes the lyrics come first. If I’m lucky the music and lyrics come together. But most often, my song writing process begins at the piano. I get into a meditative state, put my phone recorder on and let the music write itself in a stream of consciousness. Then I’ll start singing along to it once I a chord progression or hook I like. After that, I start to get an idea of what is trying to come through. Then I go through and write and rewrite the lyrics and format the song structure.
What can you tell us about your latest release, Souls on Fire?
I wrote SOULS ON FIRE with the intention of creating an auditory, cinematic experience for the listener. When I was a child, I grew up without a TV. But I had film scores on CDs that I listened to over and over again, making up stories in my mind that went along with the music. That’s my wish for the audience. I want to take the listener on a journey in their imagination with SOULS ON FIRE as the score to whatever story they see in their minds.
I prepared my voice for this song like a runner trains for a marathon. Fortunately, I had been on tour for a few years, singing music that required me to belt as high and loud as I can. Singing this song stretched my voice to new levels, and I don’t think I would have been able to belt the final notes at the end had it been a few years ago.
I was initially inspired to write this song based upon a common phenomenon of meeting someone and feeling an instant connection — you know you’ve met this person before but can’t quite place where. This song explores the idea of reincarnation, but I also believe we can experience cyclical relationships within a single lifetime. Last year I left a long-term relationship, which was very cyclical in nature. I realized the only way to break the cycle was to leave. Cycles can happen in friendships, too. Sometimes the same “type of personality” keeps showing up in our lives until we learn the lessons they teach us. In writing SOULS ON FIRE, I left the conclusion open-ended. Do they get it right this time? Or do they stay trapped together, continually making the same mistakes and hoping for a different outcome? Sometimes we have to break the cycle to be free, even if that means letting go of a loved one in the process.
I feel incredibly fortunate to have worked with such an accomplished team while recording and mixing SOULS ON FIRE in Los Angeles.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would you choose?
A present-era choice is Hans Zimmer because his style is so epic and intense. I think he would undoubtedly slay a Mad Gallic song.
What do you have planned creatively for the upcoming year?
I’m very excited to explore my one-woman band concept I created with my “Bohemian Rhapsody” cover I released on YouTube. But this time I’ll perform my original music as six characters in the band. I’m developing each character for each instrument they play, which involves costume design, wigs, personas, and all that fun stuff. I’m also branching out in another direction where I can be my most vulnerable, authentic self. Just “me as me,” using my birth name Dylan Louise. Where Mad Gallica tackles large concept and even larger music production, I want to create an avenue where I can simply be myself – just a girl and her piano telling her story.
How can our followers support you?
I will be releasing a Kickstarter in the coming weeks so I can bring my next creations to life. If any of my future creations above are intriguing to your followers I would appreciate their backing to bring these creations to life. In the meantime, check out my merch at madgallica.com. If you like the new Souls on Fire video found on that website, please consider sharing with your friends. This goes a long way in helping us independent artist get our music out into the world.
