Jump to content

The MDNA Thread


Chuck82

Recommended Posts

Some quotes are similar to the ones from The Sun (UK), but some are new:

Calling Madonna and interrupting her son’s French lesson sounds like a recipe for an uncomfortable half an hour on the phone.

12-03-23-madonna.jpg

A mum of four’s time is precious, especially when she has an album to finish and a gruelling tour to play for.

But the Queen of Pop couldn’t have been more enthusiastic and open about her 12th studio album MDNA — which might have something to do with the great reviews it has already received.

In October of this year Madonna will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the release of her first single Everybody.

Since then she has toured the world nine times, won countless awards and scored ten No1 solo albums.

But the singer, 53, still finds the presentation of new material a nerve-racking experience.

Speaking exclusively to SFTW, she said: “I don’t think presenting any of my work is less nerve-racking than it ever was because I put my heart and soul into something.

“Whether it’s on a film or my record, it’s something to work on in privacy and create in a kind of bubble and then put it out in the world.

“You never know how people are going to receive it, whether it’s going to move them or inspire them. The world is so full of entertainment now, isn’t it? So there are a lot of nerves.

“It’s amazing to be back in music. I like the intimacy of a recording studio and song-writing. I’m using a different part of my brain when I work on music versus when I’m directing a film.

“There are a billion more people on a film and I don’t have that visceral outlet of being able to sing, scream… jump around.

“It’s very different. I love doing both but it was nice to have the simplicity of song-writing after three years of writing a script and directing and editing and talking about my film, to sit down and play my guitar and sing a song. I almost cried.”

Her last studio album, Hard Candy in May 2008, experimented with a hip-hop influence. She collaborated with Justin Timberlake, Pharrell Williams and Timbaland.

The album reached No1 around the world but received a lukewarm reception from some fans and critics.

MDNA, a “triple entendre” as she describes it, is a return to what she does best: classic pop songs with a sprinkling of trademark controversy.

And it is down to the return of her winning formula: working with top European producers.

Stuart Price produced some of her best original material on Confessions On A Dancefloor back in 2005. She also made some great material with French electronic guru Mirwais.

But her return to the studio with producer William Orbit, who made Ray Of Light back in 1998, is a master stroke.

The tracks they have made together on the new album, including Gang Bang and Some Girls, slot into her discography perfectly.

She has also employed the skills of Martin Solveig, Italian DJ Benny Benassi and his cousin Allessandro.

And Madonna believes her return to Europe for her producing partners is no coincidence.

She explained: “I think maybe I just have more of a European sensibility. People say that about my songs as well. I like working with people who are well-read and know what’s going on in the world.

“Conversation is essential. With William, we always get into discussions about philosophy or quantum physics.

“With Martin Solveig we always end up getting in to discussions about foreign films. When I’m working with people I can’t just write music, I have to be able to talk about life and the world, and art. Benny was a tricky one because he doesn’t speak English very well.

“I ended up kind of using his cousin Allessandro as an interpreter.

“It was a little bit frustrating at first but eventually we found a way to communicate. You figure out a way. With music it’s so much about the vibe and the energy and you know when things are working and when they’re not.

“When you’re working with someone for the first time, there’s a kind of shyness that everybody has, so with Benny it was more challenging because of that but we figured it out and by the end I felt like I knew him very well.

“Martin is such good fun, I adore him. You have to feel like you can say ‘No, I don’t like that,’ and you’re not going to hurt their feelings. And vice versa.

“But he’s got just the right balance of seriousness and humour.

“He’s very organised and methodical in his thinking so I like his work process.”

The production on the album is slick, with some great touches.

On Gang Bang the noise of a spent cartridge from a gun hitting a concrete floor illustrates her “Kill Bill” fantasy for the track.

But the contrast of a huge pop track like Superstar, featuring her daughter Lourdes on backing vocals, is followed up with a song called Falling Free — one of her most stripped-back songs for years. She explained: “I have to be completely involved in the production. I like the contrast.

“I like to have something that is just slammed with noise and sound and bass and drum, sensory overload and then create something like Falling Free, which is stripped back and all you can really hear is my voice and the lyrics.

“Sometimes I sit down on a guitar and start strumming chords and things come out.

“Sometimes people bring a song to me that has a title, for instance, or an idea of a lyric and I take it and kind of re-shape it, re-word it and make it my own. It comes in so many different ways, it’s always been that way.”

The album features some big collaborations with strong female solo stars — M.I.A and rapper Nicki Minaj. Give Me All Your Luvin’ was the Superbowl song that ended up causing controversy when M.I.A decided to stick up her middle fin ger.

But that punk spirit is exactly why she got them on board.

She said: “I was looking to collaborate with women who I think have a strong sense of themselves.

“They were a lot of fun to be around in the studio, for sure.

“I think we were all shy of each other in the beginning, that’s just human nature.

“I think we got over that pretty quickly.

“They’re both very self-possessed people, especially M.I.A. I don’t think she’s impressed much by stars and celebrities, so we just got down to business. I loved her.”

And the key to keeping the music original? Don’t listen to chart music while you are writing.

She said: “I wasn’t listening to anything to tell you the truth, when I wrote this.

“I was working on the soundtrack to my movie W.E. So just classical music. I actually don’t like listening to pop music while I’m working on pop music — it doesn’t really work.

“You don’t want to hear other people’s stuff, you need a clean slate to work off.”

The Sun Something For The Weekend

Link to comment
Share on other sites

OMG Tiger; we're twins today! I hadn't intended on getting both versions, but in the end I couldn't resist. I grabbed a copy for a friend too, so including the iTunes version, I've bought four.

I've seen you around on Twitter, and here we are :)

My ears are kind of sore now....into my third go through. The first half is stellar! Dont think I like I don't give a....we'll see.

I'm Addicted for next single followed by Some Girls :thumbsup:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ha Ha eah I have iTunes and the two physical copies that will never be played lol, and I purchased GMAYL and GGW on iTunes too plus the GMAYL video

And yep I'm on Twitter most days so hit me up :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Some quotes are similar to the ones from The Sun (UK), but some are new:

Calling Madonna and interrupting her son’s French lesson sounds like a recipe for an uncomfortable half an hour on the phone.

12-03-23-madonna.jpg

A mum of four’s time is precious, especially when she has an album to finish and a gruelling tour to play for.

But the Queen of Pop couldn’t have been more enthusiastic and open about her 12th studio album MDNA — which might have something to do with the great reviews it has already received.

In October of this year Madonna will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the release of her first single Everybody.

Since then she has toured the world nine times, won countless awards and scored ten No1 solo albums.

But the singer, 53, still finds the presentation of new material a nerve-racking experience.

Speaking exclusively to SFTW, she said: “I don’t think presenting any of my work is less nerve-racking than it ever was because I put my heart and soul into something.

“Whether it’s on a film or my record, it’s something to work on in privacy and create in a kind of bubble and then put it out in the world.

“You never know how people are going to receive it, whether it’s going to move them or inspire them. The world is so full of entertainment now, isn’t it? So there are a lot of nerves.

“It’s amazing to be back in music. I like the intimacy of a recording studio and song-writing. I’m using a different part of my brain when I work on music versus when I’m directing a film.

“There are a billion more people on a film and I don’t have that visceral outlet of being able to sing, scream… jump around.

“It’s very different. I love doing both but it was nice to have the simplicity of song-writing after three years of writing a script and directing and editing and talking about my film, to sit down and play my guitar and sing a song. I almost cried.”

Her last studio album, Hard Candy in May 2008, experimented with a hip-hop influence. She collaborated with Justin Timberlake, Pharrell Williams and Timbaland.

The album reached No1 around the world but received a lukewarm reception from some fans and critics.

MDNA, a “triple entendre” as she describes it, is a return to what she does best: classic pop songs with a sprinkling of trademark controversy.

And it is down to the return of her winning formula: working with top European producers.

Stuart Price produced some of her best original material on Confessions On A Dancefloor back in 2005. She also made some great material with French electronic guru Mirwais.

But her return to the studio with producer William Orbit, who made Ray Of Light back in 1998, is a master stroke.

The tracks they have made together on the new album, including Gang Bang and Some Girls, slot into her discography perfectly.

She has also employed the skills of Martin Solveig, Italian DJ Benny Benassi and his cousin Allessandro.

And Madonna believes her return to Europe for her producing partners is no coincidence.

She explained: “I think maybe I just have more of a European sensibility. People say that about my songs as well. I like working with people who are well-read and know what’s going on in the world.

“Conversation is essential. With William, we always get into discussions about philosophy or quantum physics.

“With Martin Solveig we always end up getting in to discussions about foreign films. When I’m working with people I can’t just write music, I have to be able to talk about life and the world, and art. Benny was a tricky one because he doesn’t speak English very well.

“I ended up kind of using his cousin Allessandro as an interpreter.

“It was a little bit frustrating at first but eventually we found a way to communicate. You figure out a way. With music it’s so much about the vibe and the energy and you know when things are working and when they’re not.

“When you’re working with someone for the first time, there’s a kind of shyness that everybody has, so with Benny it was more challenging because of that but we figured it out and by the end I felt like I knew him very well.

“Martin is such good fun, I adore him. You have to feel like you can say ‘No, I don’t like that,’ and you’re not going to hurt their feelings. And vice versa.

“But he’s got just the right balance of seriousness and humour.

“He’s very organised and methodical in his thinking so I like his work process.”

The production on the album is slick, with some great touches.

On Gang Bang the noise of a spent cartridge from a gun hitting a concrete floor illustrates her “Kill Bill” fantasy for the track.

But the contrast of a huge pop track like Superstar, featuring her daughter Lourdes on backing vocals, is followed up with a song called Falling Free — one of her most stripped-back songs for years. She explained: “I have to be completely involved in the production. I like the contrast.

“I like to have something that is just slammed with noise and sound and bass and drum, sensory overload and then create something like Falling Free, which is stripped back and all you can really hear is my voice and the lyrics.

“Sometimes I sit down on a guitar and start strumming chords and things come out.

“Sometimes people bring a song to me that has a title, for instance, or an idea of a lyric and I take it and kind of re-shape it, re-word it and make it my own. It comes in so many different ways, it’s always been that way.”

The album features some big collaborations with strong female solo stars — M.I.A and rapper Nicki Minaj. Give Me All Your Luvin’ was the Superbowl song that ended up causing controversy when M.I.A decided to stick up her middle fin ger.

But that punk spirit is exactly why she got them on board.

She said: “I was looking to collaborate with women who I think have a strong sense of themselves.

“They were a lot of fun to be around in the studio, for sure.

“I think we were all shy of each other in the beginning, that’s just human nature.

“I think we got over that pretty quickly.

“They’re both very self-possessed people, especially M.I.A. I don’t think she’s impressed much by stars and celebrities, so we just got down to business. I loved her.”

And the key to keeping the music original? Don’t listen to chart music while you are writing.

She said: “I wasn’t listening to anything to tell you the truth, when I wrote this.

“I was working on the soundtrack to my movie W.E. So just classical music. I actually don’t like listening to pop music while I’m working on pop music — it doesn’t really work.

“You don’t want to hear other people’s stuff, you need a clean slate to work off.”

The Sun Something For The Weekend

Great interview ! :thumbsup:

I love when she is talking about writing music and working together with the producers. :clap:

It´s always so good to hear about how her creative process works :bow:

OMG I love her so much :bow::bow::bow::fag:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Maybe I should but this one. I wonder how much it is. *goes*

EDIT: This is just the digital download version of the album though.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I just LOVE when Madonna talk about songwriting and creative process. It's always great to see how implicated she is in her music. And that's the main reason why i always laugh when people call her "talentless" :lmao:

And she always give credit too, she doesn't pretend to do everything herself :thumbsup:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest groovyguy

#1

Australia

Finland

Canada

Hungary

Belgium..

(anywhere else???)

Madonna Australia ‏ @MadonnaAust

@guyoseary Australia is in a MDNA coma. We are from the land that they call down under- ain't nobody gonna steal the Queen's thunder! :clap:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

#1

Australia

Finland

Canada

Hungary

Belgium..

(anywhere else???)

Glad to see finally MDNA made it to number 1 in Australia. Isn't it that Australia is one of those countries that ignored the pre order scheme

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest LeJazzHot!

Madonna Australia ‏ @MadonnaAust

@guyoseary Australia is in a MDNA coma. We are from the land that they call down under- ain't nobody gonna steal the Queen's thunder! :clap:

What countries are releasing MDNA today besides Australia and Germany?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest groovyguy

What countries are releasing MDNA today besides Australia and Germany?

Several other European countries including Ireland and the Netherlands

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest Xanthium

Maybe I should but this one. I wonder how much it is. *goes*

EDIT: This is just the digital download version of the album though.

Damn :( I want that remix on CD :americanlife: It better at least be released on iTunes.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

how do you redeem the iTunes preorder? I haven't got any email or nothing and the album is already released in here..

DID ANYONE GET THE PRE-ORDER AT ALL?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest Xanthium

how do you redeem the iTunes preorder? I haven't got any email or nothing and the album is already released in here..

DID ANYONE GET THE PRE-ORDER AT ALL?

The email might be delayed. I always get delayed emails when they send me artist alert notices. You might want to check your account and see if there's a download ready under pre-orders.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The email might be delayed. I always get delayed emails when they send me artist alert notices. You might want to check your account and see if there's a download ready under pre-orders.

THANKS!!!

WTF? it says "available 26th of march"??? However the album is released and other people are buying it..only the pre-orders are NOT AVAILABLE.

WHAT USE IS TO PRE-ORDER IF YOU GET IT LATER THAN OTHERS???????

:rant:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest Xanthium

THANKS!!!

WTF? it says "available 26th of march"??? However the album is released and other people are buying it..only the pre-orders are NOT AVAILABLE.

WHAT USE IS TO PRE-ORDER IF YOU GET IT LATER THAN OTHERS???????

:rant:

Wow, that's bullshit. I would email iTunes or have someone tweet Guy O. People should get their pre-order immediately. I'm sure it's just an unintended fuck up that needs to be brought to someone's attention :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest Xanthium

^he got rich and afforded the operations..

I'm not gonna lie, he does look much better. But only in pictures. Once he opens his mouth and you see him talking in his videos, the mirage is over.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
×
×
  • Create New...