Thailand’s independent music scene continues to produce exciting and versatile artists, and MADELN is one of them. A talented singer-songwriter, producer, and beatmaker, MADELN creates music almost entirely on her own—from producing beats and writing lyrics to recording vocals, mixing, and even mastering tracks from her bedroom. After years of producing music for clients, she has now stepped into the spotlight as a solo artist, bringing her own stories, creativity, and sound to listeners. In this City Stories interview, MADELN shares her musical journey, creative process, and the passion that drives her artistry.
For readers discovering you for the first time, could you introduce yourself and tell us about your musical journey?
Hi! I’m MADELN. I’m a singer-songwriter from Thailand. I do beats, writing lyrics, vocals, mixing and sometimes mastering by myself from my bedroom. I was a beatmaker and did productions for my client. But now I’m an artist.
When did you first realize that music was something you wanted to pursue seriously?
Music has always been a part of my identity. My mom deserves the credit for taking me to piano lessons when I was 8 years old (Asian parents in general!).
Personally, I’ve found that creating music is something I truly enjoy. Some artists express themselves through painting or writing, but for me, music is the way I can create freely and bring my imagination to life.
With my piano skills and musical knowledge, I believe this is what I want to do for the rest of my life.
From songwriting and production to releasing your music, you do much of it yourself. What are the biggest rewards and challenges of being a DIY artist?
My biggest reward is having the freedom to decide my own direction. I strongly believe in my own taste, so it’s a blessing to be able to create my own world and bring my vision to life freely.
As for the challenges, as you can imagine, it’s really tiring to handle production, marketing, and promotions all by yourself. But I see those challenges as a training season for me. I believe the experience and skills I’m gaining will be useful in the future.
What inspired you to start releasing your own music under the name MADELN?
First, my nickname in Thai is Moodaeng, which sounds pretty similar to Moo Deng the hippo, but the meanings are not the same.
Then, I wanted to find a new alias after spending the past 10 years producing beats for rappers and advertisements. I wanted a name that represents the best version of myself.
MADELN is a word in German (I think) that means “girls.” I think it fits me so well since I am a female producer who wants to create songs and media for girls, which I feel has been missing nowadays.
I grew up with Barbie, My Scene, and Bratz dolls. They raised me to do it for the girls. So MADELN’s music is considered girly, but in my own taste. I want girls to be fearless and have a lot of fun.
How would you describe your sound and artistic identity to someone listening to your music for the first time?
Pop mixes with R&B, Soul that has something familiar yet distinctive. My sound is calm, chill. Meanwhile each work of mine has something to surprise the audiences. Which can vary, depending on listeners’ taste. It’s surprising yet gives you the vibe you can feel.
Your music blends dreamy pop, R&B, and electronic influences. Which artists or genres have had the biggest impact on your style?
In terms of my music, I’m heavily influenced by soul artists such as Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind & Fire, Michael Jackson, and Sade. But since I grew up in the 2000s, I’ve also drawn a lot of inspiration from The Neptunes.
It was The Neptunes’ drum beats that sparked my interest in music production and eventually led me to discover the world of sound design through artists like Disclosure and Kaytranada.
Personally, I think my songs have a dreamy feel because of the lyrics as well. I’m really inspired by the lyrics found in jazz standards.
If I had to mention just one artist who has influenced me the most, especially when it comes to chords and lyrics, it would definitely be Stevie Wonder.
As someone who writes, produces, and records your own music, what do you enjoy most about having complete creative control?
I have to be honest—saving costs while pursuing my dream has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Since I still have a day job, I have to be mindful of my budget. Music production costs just as much as music promotion.
Training myself to do as much as I can has been really tough, but it’s made me stronger. I can see myself going places from where I am now. I enjoy becoming more capable, and I enjoy constantly growing my skills.
Could you take us through your creative process—from the first spark of an idea to the finished song?
Most of my work starts with a beat. I’ve always been a beatmaker, and I used to release free beats on YouTube. That’s where I begin by creating the vibe. The sounds I choose define the kind of story I want to tell.
When I say I make beats, it can start with either the chords or the drums, since I’m a pianist who’s also deeply interested in rhythm.
I also don’t wait for inspiration to strike because I feel like that can take forever. Instead, I commit myself to a music playday in front of my DAW and see where the process takes me.
One thing I always make sure to have is the core of each piece—a strong motif. I’ve found that it’s much easier to finish a song when you start with a clear and memorable motif.
Your debut release introduced listeners to your artistic vision. What did that song mean to you personally?
Lift is one of the songs that feels closest to who I am as an artist. The signature sound I’ve been developing over the years combines vibey drum grooves, dreamy and jazzy chords, and a strong melodic motif.
I think this song marks an important milestone for me after years of discovering and refining my sound. Lift represents the direction I’m heading in and gives listeners a glimpse of what they can expect from me in the future.
What stories or emotions do you hope listeners connect with when they hear your music?
I want my listeners to feel like they can truly be themselves. In a world where you’re constantly being judged, I hope my music—with its dreamy atmosphere and electronic sounds—can entertain you and give you a place to escape, even if it’s just for a moment.
As I mentioned earlier about the meaning behind MADELN, I want to be the kind of girl who shows other girls—and people of every gender—that there’s always a space where you can have fun, express yourself, and feel glamorous, just like I did when I played with my dress-up dolls as a child.
What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced as an independent artist, and what has helped you keep going?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that sometimes you have to do everything on your own, even if it’s not your forte.
Back then, I used to daydream about becoming an artist. I thought having strong music production skills would be enough and that I just had to wait for someone to sign me. But once I started learning about marketing, I realized it plays a huge role in building a music career.
Marketing has been challenging for me—just like doing interviews such as this one. But through trial and error, it’s helped shape me into the artist I am today. I believe challenges can be exhausting, but that doesn’t mean they’re impossible to overcome.
How has your sound or perspective evolved since you first started making music?
I think most of my songs give off summer, dance, party, and sunset vibes. But in the past, I experimented with a lot of different genres and thought I’d stick to R&B or trap soul—music you’d usually listen to on a calm night.
It was a long journey to discover my own taste through exploring those genres. I’m really glad I’ve reached a point where I know what my sound is, and I feel it’s become quite distinctive.
I’m happy with how my music has evolved because it truly reflects who I am as an artist.
What role does social media play in connecting with your audience and sharing your work?
Since my songs are in English, social media has always been a big part of how I share my music with people beyond my country and continent.
Through social media, I’ve been able to connect with listeners I never thought I’d reach. Some of them have even sent me heartfelt messages about how much they enjoy my songs and how deeply they connect with them. It’s been an incredibly rewarding experience.
Is there a song you’ve written that feels especially personal or meaningful to you? What makes it so special?
It’s Lift, my debut single.
I’m a little into manifestations, and I feel like the lyrics and overall vibe of that song marked the beginning of all the new releases and opportunities that have followed.
In the lyrics, I wrote, “Maybe we could just mess it up,” and later, “Ready to fall for you to lift me up.” Those words can be interpreted as being about someone you love, but they can also represent the future you haven’t seen yet.
Without realizing it at the time, I ended up writing my own mantra. Looking back now, it’s amazing to see how far I’ve come—including having the opportunity to do interviews as an artist.
Are there any musicians, producers, or creatives you’d love to collaborate with in the future?
Pharrell Williams and Tyler the Creator. I like how they visualize their world to the audiences. Their imaginations are really vivid and it shows through their music and fashion. As I said. I grew up playing dress up dolls. Both of them describe who I want to be and how I want to make art the most.
Outside of music, what inspires your creativity or influences your songwriting?
My life. I mean, everyone’s life is individual, and I believe each one tells a different story. My life has been about traveling here and there, but the most influential part was my childhood in America. I heard a lot of soul and disco songs in supermarkets in Los Angeles, along with experiencing the warm weather and the California sunshine.
As you can see, all of my works are in English. I think those are the things that have shaped me into who I am today.
What has been the most memorable moment of your career so far?
One of my singles, “Girlfriend,” was featured on Spotify Thailand’s New Music Friday and EQUAL playlists. It also reached No. 1 on Cat Radio’s Bedroom Studio Chart in Thailand.
A fun fact is that “Girlfriend” was the song I put the least pressure on myself to make. I simply played around, experimenting with new grooves and discovering new ways to sing.
That song became a significant turning point in my music career—not only in terms of my creative mindset, but also because of the growth and recognition it brought, including those “invisible numbers” that reflect its impact.
What goals or dreams are you hoping to achieve over the next few years?
Since my songs are written in English. I want to perform overseas, maybe in the ASEAN countries outside Thailand. My songs also have ASEAN listeners so I think it would be great if I can meet my audiences from different places in the world.
What can fans look forward to from you in the coming months? Are there any upcoming releases or projects you can share?
I’ll have my first live session on the social media platforms of my previous releases. And I think there’s a song to listen to as a farewell to summer before I transcend myself and my music into more mature and more “me” kind of sounds in the next season (of my life also). So, please look forward to it.
Finally, do you have a message for your supporters and for the readers of City Stories around the world?
Thank you for supporting small artists—not just me, but all the artists out there who are fighting to bring new perspectives into this world. That’s what keeps the world moving forward, not copies of what AI calculates.
Also, thank you for believing in this girl’s dream. Ever since I was a child, I’ve wanted to become an artist, and now I’m here with City Stories.
Thank you for spending your time with me through this interview and for listening to my music.
Click the links below to follow MADELN on her official social media accounts, stream her latest releases, and be the first to hear about new music, updates, and upcoming projects.
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