This article was researched and written by All Things Madison Teen Contributor Madeline Dobbs. Dobbs is an rising senior at Bob Jones High School and a member of the Patriot Players. When she’s not writing, she can be seen singing, sketching, or drinking coffee. She is incredibly grateful to live and write about Madison.
Need some new music to listen to this summer? These local musicians have you covered. I recently spoke to three musicians: Meredith Johnson, The Jetset Life band, and Love Lundy all about their songs, inspirations, and how they’re making waves across our local music scene.
These local performers are proof of the talent in the young adults coming through Madison. From small gigs, to new albums, to music videos, these musicians are no strangers to the creative process, and they might just become the newest additions to your playlist.
By the way, all three are available and have interest in playing live in Madison, so please reach out to them for your next event’s needs.
MEREDITH (Meredith Johnson)
How did you get started with music?
“I’ve been writing silly songs and jamming out to Stevie Wonder and Crystal Lewis for as long as I can remember!”
How would you describe the music that you typically create?
“I’d like to think my music has a folksy vibe, but it’s probably more indie/pop. I love super chill and relaxed tracks paired with wordy phrases. LOVE me some words.”
Where do you create your music?
“Anywhere really, but I like to start with the music and add the words later, so typically at home with my piano.”
What generally inspires you to create?
“Sounds cliche, but my FEELINGS. As a person of faith, who pursues a relationship with Christ, my feelings can be a source of conflict between what I want and what I need. From that conflict I have found there are not enough songs in the world to write, haha.”
Have you played live in Madison before? If not, do you hope to in the future?
“I don’t believe I have! I love the area, there are plenty of local venues/restaurants that I would love to jam at.”
How has COVID-19 affected your creative process? Do you find that you have more time to create music?
“That’s a tough one… I’d say I have more time, but the abundance of time takes the pressure away from my “creative time”. So it can be harder to actually find the motivation to make myself see a creative project through. Songs inspired by life can be difficult when life seems to have hit a standstill.”
Where can we listen to your music?
“Spotify and Apple Music! I perform under the name MEREDITH, all caps. My single “Looks Like Vermont” is on Spotify, Apple Music, and on YouTube with a music video.”
Do you have any words of wisdom for others who want to create music?
“Just DO IT! I mean that. Waiting until you are perfect to start sharing what you create will hold you back. Find what you love, and get plugged in with that community, even as a beginner. There is SUCH a healthy music community in this area, and they have far more experience and wisdom than I do, and they’re willing to share it.”
You can follow along with Meredith on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
THE JETSET LIFE (Jacob Demerin, Gus Goldsmith, Josh Haft)
How did you get started with music?
“Jacob and Josh were in a band junior and senior year called the Pigeon Boys. Then, senior year Gustav transferred to Huntsville High, and we decided to randomly walk up to him and invite him into the Pigeon Boys. Last year we then decided to branch off from the Pigeon Boys and now have The Jetset Life!”
How would you describe the music that you typically create?
“We all have very distinct musical influences, and we use that to our advantage and amalgamate our musical interests together. Josh’s influences are The Beatles and The Happy Fits. Jacob likes indie pop rock bands (Jukebox The Ghost, HUNNY). Gus likes hip hop (Kendrick Lamar, OutKast) and punk (Green Day, Against Me!).”
Where did you create your music?
“In Gus’s beautiful, professional, state of art recording studio. It has everything you need: a broken piano, two dogs, a janky mic stand, and a laptop that sometimes works!”
What generally inspires you to create?
“Making fun music that we like to listen to while addressing social issues, our beliefs, and making music that represents our generation. Also, the My Chemical Romance- Life On The Murder Scene documentary, which is about the album where we got our name.”
Have you played live in Madison before? If not, do you hope to in the future?
“No, we haven’t as of right now. We would absolutely love to play in Madison and are hoping to once it’s safe to do shows again.”
How has COVID-19 affected your creative process? Do you find that you have more time to create music?
“At the start of quarantine we were all writing songs separately to show the group, but it was definitely hard to work together during that time period. Now we’re starting to finish and record those songs to get them ready to release!”
Where can we listen to your music?
“All the major streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, etc.) and especially Tik Tok! We currently have an EP out and we’re about to release some new tunes very soons (also jives, bops, and what-have-you if we’re lucky)!”
You can follow along with The Jetset Life on Instagram.
LOVE LUNDY
How did you get started with music?
“My father is a jazz musician, he plays double bass and has for about 50 years now. Music was a really strong presence in my home my whole life, but especially as a child. I started on the violin and went to the piano almost immediately after.”
How would you describe the music that you typically create?
“I like to call it alternative pop (like Clairo), I would like to lean more towards alternative r&b (like Matt Martians, Faye Webster?). But I hate trying to figure out what genre it is because I have so many influences, it would be hard to pinpoint something.”
Where did you create your music?
“I’ve created music everywhere I’ve been.”
What generally inspires you to create?
“Normally, men, unfortunately. Recently, my ideas have come to me in a longer period of silence (and reflection) I suppose.”
Have you played live in Madison before? If not, do you hope to in the future?
“I have played live in Madison, before, luckily, in a friend’s backyard during an art show. It was an incredibly beautiful experience, and I really would be blessed to play in Madison or Huntsville again at some point.”
How has COVID-19 affected your creative process? Do you find that you have more time to create music?
“I don’t think it’s really affected my process… but with more free time I have had time to discipline myself to daily practice on my bass. That’s been a really amazing experience that I’ve enjoyed a lot.”
Where can we listen to your music?
“You can listen to my EP, Jean, anywhere you find music! bit.ly/jeanep brings you to the lyrics for the hearing impaired and also brings you to the link to choose your streaming service (if you have trouble finding it, which you shouldn’t.)”
You can follow along with Love Lundy on Instagram and Twitter.
More from Madison
Local Seniors React Candidly to High School Ending Abruptly
All About Vintage 72: What to Buy, How to Sell, and More
