You've produced tracks on Madonna's new album. What was the most surprising thing about working with her?
The simplicity of the communication. The simplicity of the way we communicated on an organisation level. Recording those songs for that album was something that quickly became very natural and I think that really helped us to paint something interesting.
How involved is she in the recording process? Did you work very closely together?
She is as involved as you can be in the recording process. This was a very good and big surprise for me! I was assuming that she would spend only an hour or two in the studio per day and come and see where we were and say, "Ok I like this, I don't like that. I'll sing this. Bye!" And absolutely not... I mean we co-produced the track and it’s not just written on the credits "co-produced by Martin Solveig and Madonna", we literally co-produced the tracks. I mean, at some point she wanted to choose the sound of a snare drum or a synth and that kind of stuff. She was really in the session!
The simplicity of the communication. The simplicity of the way we communicated on an organisation level. Recording those songs for that album was something that quickly became very natural and I think that really helped us to paint something interesting.
How involved is she in the recording process? Did you work very closely together?
She is as involved as you can be in the recording process. This was a very good and big surprise for me! I was assuming that she would spend only an hour or two in the studio per day and come and see where we were and say, "Ok I like this, I don't like that. I'll sing this. Bye!" And absolutely not... I mean we co-produced the track and it’s not just written on the credits "co-produced by Martin Solveig and Madonna", we literally co-produced the tracks. I mean, at some point she wanted to choose the sound of a snare drum or a synth and that kind of stuff. She was really in the session!
Full Interview HERE
Martin seems cool Im so excited!
ReplyDeleteto the interviewer, SHE IS HER ART. We all know how controlling Madonna is, so of course she is involved in every detail. Its annoying to this day people think she has limited involvement with any of her projects.
well 39b47, you of all people should know - people are stupid.
ReplyDeleteYes, its something people tend forget, or choose to forget, Madonna is a record producer. Shes not just some pop singer, she does produce her records, and thats why no matter which producer she works with, no matter which style, it ends up sounding like a quintessential Madonna record. Even the 'Like a Virgin' album sounds NOTHING like a Chic album, which is rare since most albums produced by Nile Rodgers do sound like Chic records with a new lead singer on top, not so much with 'Like a Virgin, she wasn't credited as a producer on it but you can definitely hear her influence. I always thought Madonna is the most underrated record producer ever.
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DeleteSorry, spotted some grammatical errors and had to edit...
DeleteHi Nina, absolutely agreed... [about to go on a bit of a tangent] and perhaps that's why many fans were underwhelmed with Hard Candy... half the songs truly do not sound like they have Madonna's footprint at all. A song as gorgeous as Devil Wouldn't Recognize You is completely drowned by T&T overproduced BS... It isn't until you hear the Acoustic Mix that you're like, "Huh... that's a gorgeous song -and could've been a massive hit."
Is the Madonna-producer who suggested a flamenco breakdown for Deeper and Deeper the same Madonna-producer who was okay with 30 seconds of "to the left, to the right, to the left, to the right..." on Give it 2 Me? That's easily the worst bridge of her career.
Either she's lost her good sense (which I don't believe) or Hard Candy came in at a tumultuous time of her life, where she had lost a bit of the "fire" for music... Wish someone asked her about that. It would be interesting to hear her talk about her creative process and how it's changed through the years, instead of why she's dating a 24 year old.
Hi Jorge. I totally agree with you about Hard Candy, its the only Madonna album that doesnt really sound like a quintessential Madonna album. More like following a trend, and a tired one I might add, by the time Madonna got to work with Timbaland and co, everybody had already worked with them, so the whole record sounded passe and generic. You can tell she wasn't really interested and involved. HC feels more like a contractual thing to get out of the Warner Bros contract as fast as possible. Same with the 'Celebration' and 'Revolver' singles that followed, mediocre songs by Madonna's standards. I dont think she lost her good sense though (I hope not) but maybe she did lose interest in her music for a while, being busy with peripheral things. She never neglected her music (and music videos) before though, so we'll see with MDNA if she still got the fire and the genuine interest for her music! Based on the demos that leaked, I'm not too optimistic though!
DeleteIt's a tough one. I have faith MDNA will bring the best of Madonna back, but that "best" might not be what WE want... For example, I think Give Me All Your Love is strategically a brilliant move, and personally I really like the song (it puts me in a good mood instantly). But is that what die-hard fans want? Probably not. We would've probably preferred a cryptic first single, a la Frozen, that leaves us wanting more (the album). In this case, just like she asks from us in the song, SHE is giving us everything: cheerleaders, a big chorus, a nonstop beat, guitar, yelling, singing, M.I.A... It's a lot. But I think at this point she needs a taste of big success, to keep her going. Hopefully the album provides more depth and color, so that she can produce a great tour, a la Confessions. I think that if Cirque du Soleil is involved, we're in good hands...
Deletewe the fans know she is so into music and recording process. and yes, people CHOOSE to forget it so they can dish her.
ReplyDeleteplus many people don't know the 99% of her lyrics are written by her and that in her early years she was writing music as well. i guess these people need to buy some albums of hers and see the credits carefully.
Exactly. I think shes actually too modest when it comes to her music, she never boast about her accomplishments as a musician and record producer. Most pop singers keep telling you how INVOLVED they are in writing their stuff, you never hear Madonna do that, shes too busy actually creating. As a songwriter I dont think she just writes lyrics, I really think she does compose the melodies and music as well, but share credits with her collaborators.
Deleteyes xstatic & nina, she always changes the subject. i find it SO boring when musicians are tooting their own horn. they come off like a tori anus - so pompous. so glad M doesnt go there.
DeleteI think its about time someone writes a book about Madonna as a musician and record producer, like this excellent book about the creative life of Michael Jackson http://www.amazon.com/Man-Music-Creative-Michael-Jackson/dp/1402779380 All the books about Madonna are just bullshit biographies that never ever analyze her work, her music, her art. Its a shame. But in time I guess people will look back to her impressive catalog and work.
Deletepud i love tori amos :D but, yes madonna is too modest when it comes with her writting skills. even kesha -blah blah blah- overdoes it when she is referred to her songs like she's paul mccartney or something. not to mention gaga lol! duh!
Deletenina i guess you're right :)
DeleteI haven't read something new about working process.
ReplyDeleteShe told us many times that she like to feel the only one Diva in the studio. )))
The book 'Like An Icon' by Lucy O'Brian has lots about her recording sessions including interviews with people who worked on 'Like A Prayer' through to 'Music' and gives a fascinating insight into M in the studio and what she contributes. One of the few books that focuses on her artistry rather than private life and controversies.
ReplyDeletethanks for the tip!! I've never picked up a book about M precisely because of the points raised above, but this sounds interesting.
DeleteI've read that. It's exhaustive (in a good way) about Madge's recording process and all the work that she puts into her tours and videos. It actually had a few facts/stories that I didn't know about. You're right that it doesn't focus on her private life as much, probably because it was one of the bios about her not written by a man (although I did enjoy Randy Taborelli's book).
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