Maddie Zahm Unpacks Her Newest Single "STEP ON ME" and Her Sold Out Headlining Tour
[UNPUBLISHED:] Last time we chatted, you had just released your EP, You Might Not Like Her, how have you been since then?
[MADDIE ZAHM:] That’s so wild to me it’s been a whole half a year since the release of the EP! I genuinely can’t believe it. I’ve been doing so well! Working on more music & really enjoying the freedom I’ve felt since being honest with everyone.
[UNPUBLISHED:] How are you feeling about the EP now that it's been out in the world for some time now?
[MADDIE ZAHM:] I’m really thankful for the EP. I think in some ways it allowed me to form really meaningful relationships with my family & allowed myself to live a life that feels lighter than before. I genuinely feel happy, and that is a really strange adjustment.
[UNPUBLISHED:] Has your perception of it changed since it was released?
[MADDIE ZAHM:] I feel like I look back at the EP as a really lost human trying to walk herself through growing up. Looking back I didn’t expect for it to be as universal as it is. I just got back from tour and now watching people in the audience (who are all either at the beginning, middle or healing stage of their own journey) sing those lyrics back to me has been astounding and also incredibly emotional. There's something so cathartic about seeing the faces of people who are in the beginning of their self-discovery journey (the way I was a year or two ago) and knowing they’re able to use my lyrics to comfort them. I’m so honored.
[UNPUBLISHED:] Your new single "STEP ON ME" is phenomenal, I've been listening to it non-stop. What was the inspiration behind the name?
[MADDIE ZAHM:] Thank you so much! I decided to title this song “STEP ON ME” because I was quite literally telling an ex to use me to further their career/life. I thought it was somewhat hilarious and (kind of spiteful) to tell an ex to ruin your life and never call.
[UNPUBLISHED:] It's very clearly a breakup song, is it difficult putting something so vulnerable out there for everyone to listen to?
[MADDIE ZAHM:] Honestly this song was so fun to write and record. I wrote this song when I was going through a breakup with another writer. I knew the only way we were able to move on would be to stop writing love songs about each other. There’s something so satisfying about being so incredibly over something that you’d rather see them love someone else than love you again.
[UNPUBLISHED:] How do you think other artists can learn to be more vulnerable with their emotions in their music like you have?
[MADDIE ZAHM:] Oof. Honestly it’s terrifying being as honest as I have been in my songs. There’s a level of anxiety I’ve felt about this album because I do talk about exes. I think the EP was easier in a way because I was owning my own shit. Now I’ve realized I’ve written songs about other people that are going to be released. It’s scary!
[UNPUBLISHED:] How have you friends, family, and fans reacted to the single?
[MADDIE ZAHM:] I think everyone was a bit shocked, I'd say. Following up the EP with a heartbreak song felt a little jarring! But I think the next single will help bridge the gap and fill my listeners into the lifetime I feel I’ve lived since I wrote “You Might Not Like Her.” But also, singing “STEP ON ME” with my people has been quite honestly the most fun.
[UNPUBLISHED:] I also loved the music video, do you have a favorite scene that you filmed?
[MADDIE ZAHM:] The crowd surfing scene. I think I was so energized by the energy in that room that I wasn’t fully registering why everyone was asking me if I was okay. We had to do that scene like 7/8 times and I am an iron deficient girlie! I woke up barely able to move after being thrown around like that.
[UNPUBLISHED:] You're also on tour, which is so exciting! Do you have any spots you're particularly excited about?
[MADDIE ZAHM:] God, tour has been such an emotional rollercoaster. Because my music hits on such heavy topics, the group of people listening is just deeper than a normal artist? I can’t explain it. Being in each of those rooms was like meeting online friends who helped me come out and overcome my ED, etc. I just feel so honored to know each of them. There were times where I legitimately had to turn my in ear monitors up because they were yelling my lyrics so loudly. I have probably over 100 letters I haven’t read yet because I’m still recovering from how emotional those rooms were. Each group of people really felt like different people in different spots of their journey. I remember specifically Utah felt so much heavier than other concerts. Singing about religious trauma with them at that specific location will be something I remember for the rest of my life. Anyways, I am so so grateful.
[UNPUBLISHED:] What are you most excited about for on this tour?
[MADDIE ZAHM:] I’m most excited to connect with the core people I know have been here. I wish I could hangout with them individually. And most importantly, I'm excited to do it again.
