“Paradise” by dynamic music duo Maddbayy is a song that encourages listeners to forget about their worries and envision their paradise – whether it’s a place, a memory, someone, etc. We had the pleasure of interviewing Maddbayy, and here’s what they had to say:
Q: What was your inspiration for this song and what effect would you like it to have on listeners?
MADDBAYY (NIRAJ): Imagine waking up to a beautiful tropical sunrise, with the warm sun on your face and the sound of the ocean in your ears. That’s the feeling we wanted to capture with our song “Paradise.” The inspiration behind it came from a personal experience I had while traveling in Costa Rica. It was my first trip abroad after the pandemic and I was absolutely ecstatic about it. Unfortunately, my trip was cut short, but the memories of that breathtaking scenery stayed with me long after I returned home.
In a world where we’re constantly bombarded with stress and chaos, the idea of paradise offers a refuge, a place where we can escape and find peace. It’s a reminder that there’s still beauty in this world, even in the midst of turmoil. Through our music, we hope to transport our listeners to their own personal paradise, if only for a few minutes and provide them with a moment of respite from the pressures of daily life.
Q: Can you describe what a typical studio session for this song was like?
MADDBAYY (NAV): Picture this: it’s a late night and two creative music heads, separated by thousands of miles, are on a FaceTime call, struggling to catch a vibe. Just as they were about to give up, they stumbled upon a sample that was pure gold. They both knew they had to write something to it in that moment or forever lose the magic. So, they decided to power through the exhaustion and work through the night to finish the record. And what a night it was!
As they started writing, they found themselves so inspired that it allowed them to complete the entire production and writing process in one sitting. The creativity was just flowing like a river and they didn’t want to lose that momentum. They knew they had something special on their hands.
Once they finished, they immediately sent the record to their friend Mate (pronounced mA-tay), a talented mixing engineer, to polish and perfect it. The experience was so immersive and magical that they just couldn’t stop working on it.
The energy was electric and the creativity was palpable. It was like being transported to another world, where nothing else mattered except for the music.
And the end result? A song that we are incredibly proud of – “Paradise” – a testament to the power of collaboration, determination, and creativity. It’s moments like these that remind us why we do what we do, and why we love it so much.
Q: I read that you’re both from India (the south and the north) and that you arrived at the name Maddbayy by combining Madras and Bombay. You also describe yourselves as having opposite personalities. How do you think this has influenced your music?
MADDBAYY (NAV): India is a melting pot of diverse cultures, traditions, and languages, with over 300 languages and dialects spoken across the country. As you journey from the South to the North, you’ll notice significant changes in everything from worship styles, music, and art to the landscape itself.
But the differences don’t end there – they’re further amplified by our vastly different upbringings. Niraj grew up in the heart of Los Angeles, while I was born in New Orleans but raised in Malaysia. Niraj was drawn to the vibrant Bollywood music scene, while my roots lie in the traditional Carnatic music of South India. Despite these differences, we were both heavily influenced by different Western music genres. Niraj’s love for EDM and acoustic music grew out of his upbringing in LA, while I was raised on a steady diet of RnB and HipHop.
Our unique backgrounds and contrasting personalities have played a significant role in shaping the sound of MaddBayy. Niraj’s meticulous attention to detail and reserved demeanor bring a touch of refinement to our production process, while my experimental, improvisational nature allows us to push the boundaries and try new things that might not work on paper, but sound fantastic in practice.
In the end, our diverse perspectives, influences, and backgrounds come together to create a truly unique sound that we’re proud to call our own.
Q: What do you enjoy most about being musicians? And what would you say is a downside?
MADDBAYY (NAV): One of the most exhilarating aspects of being musicians is that creativity knows no bounds. One day, we might be jamming out to indie pop, and the next, we’re crafting a sizzling, contemporary Latin-pop-inspired track like our song “Paradise.” But above all, what we love most about making music is the sheer joy and fun of it all.
Of course, being a musician isn’t all rainbows and unicorns – there’s the dreaded business side of things that can sometimes dampen the mood. Money can be a huge obstacle, especially in the early stages of our career. Getting recognized and taken seriously in the music industry can be a tough nut to crack, and it can be demotivating at times. But we like to look at it as a journey, not a destination. We know that it’s a marathon, not a sprint, and we’re in it for the long haul.
Despite the challenges, we’ve never lost sight of the big picture – we’re here to make music that moves people, brings them joy, and connects with them on a deeper level. And when we see our fans grooving to our tunes and singing along at our shows, all the hard work, struggles, and setbacks melt away. At the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about – the pure, unadulterated joy of creating something that touches people’s hearts and souls.
Q: What are a few key aspects of your musical roadmap for 2023?
MADDBAYY (NIRAJ): Collaboration is one of the most exciting parts of being a musician. There’s always something new to discover, and working with other artists can bring unexpected twists and turns to the creative process. In 2023, we’re definitely keeping our eyes peeled for potential collaborations because we believe that music is about building connections and exchanging ideas.
The thing is, collaboration isn’t just about finding someone to finish a song with. It’s about the journey and the lessons you learn along the way. Each collaborator brings their unique experiences, perspectives, and talents to the table, which can challenge and push us to grow as musicians. It’s amazing how a simple conversation or a shared experience can spark inspiration and shape the direction of a project.
Of course, there’s always a bit of risk involved when collaborating. But we think that’s part of the excitement too. Stepping out of our comfort zones and trying something new is how we keep our music fresh and interesting. And even if a collaboration doesn’t pan out, we always come out of the experience with a new connection and a new perspective.
Q: Thank you so much for all you’ve shared with us! I have one last question: what would you say to someone interested in pursuing music full time -but they’re unsure about their chances of success, so they’ve been putting it off?
MADDBAYY (NIRAJ): You know, there’s something truly inspiring about chasing your dreams and not looking back. We firmly believe that the ultimate goal in life is to find happiness and fulfillment in what you do, and for us, that means making music. We never want to look back and regret not pursuing our passion.
We understand that taking the leap into a music career can be scary and uncertain, but that’s just a part of the journey. It takes hard work, dedication, and a lot of risks, but it’s all worth it when you get to do what you love every day. If you’re hesitant about pursuing music because of the doubts and uncertainties, we say just go for it!
Life is too short to hold back on your dreams.
We’re not saying it’s going to be an easy road, but the journey and the experiences that come with it are what make it all worth it. So if you’re willing to put in the effort and give it your all, then take that leap of faith and pursue your passion. You never know where it might take you.
Interviewed by Zoey King
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