5 Minutes With… Maddy Simmen

Maddy Simmen: “I would get in trouble in school for humming in class and annoying the teachers and students.”

The Los Angeles-based songwriter discusses the release of inspiration behind her artist project, Birdzz, and latest release, ‘Time Takes Time’

Maddy Simmen is a Mexican-Canadian songwriter based in Los Angeles. After spending years as an artist working between Toronto and Nashville, Simmen decided to focus full-time on songwriting. Her impressive portfolio includes cuts with some of today’s rising singer-songwriters such as Haley Joelle, Alana Springsteen, Jessica Baio, Jesse Gold, and Savana Santos. However, after almost a decade hiatus from her artist pursuits, Simmen has released her first single Time Takes Time under the alias Birdzz, all on her own terms. 

In our interview, Simmen speaks about what inspired her to start her artist project, the story behind her alias name, and how it’s been working alongside her husband Johnny and close friend Savana Santos for her own project… 

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As a songwriter who has worked with numerous artists, what made you decide to use an alias for your own project?

“I always knew that if I ever put out music again, I would want to do it under an alias. Because of my experience as an artist when I was younger, I think I’m a bit traumatised by the anxiety and pressure that came with being the artist and the brand. I knew I wanted an alias for this project to create some separation between it and me. I wanted to keep my identity as a person and as a songwriter distinct. Songwriting is still my number one priority – that’s my career, my life – and I enjoy being behind the scenes. I wanted this project to be separate from that.”

What made you decide on the name Birdzz? 

“I wanted it to be related to hummingbirds. I’ve always identified with hummingbirds since I was little because I used to hum constantly. I would get in trouble in school for humming in class and annoying the teachers and students, and I still do it all the time. I don’t even realise I’m humming or singing; it’s kind of like a coping mechanism. So, I wanted the name to have something to do with hummingbirds. Also, my abuela, who passed away, loved hummingbirds, so it’s a nod to her as well.

“The two Z’s at the end represent the buzzing sound of hummingbirds. They’re also a nod to my ZZ [Zamioculcas] plant. When I was trying to think of a name, I was looking at my ZZ plant, which is known to be very resilient and hard to kill. I thought that was fitting because I consider myself resilient and my journey in music has been long and challenging. So, I combined the hummingbird and the ZZ plant to create the name.”

Was there any other artist that inspired you to do that? 

“I think the first example that comes to mind is Bleachers, Jack Antonoff’s project. Although his face is very much associated with the band – he goes on tour and is very present in it – it’s still a project of his. I don’t know if there are many examples. A lot of songwriters I love who have artist projects use their own names, like Amy Allen, Annika Bennett, or Julia Michaels, for example. They all use their own names. But I knew that I definitely wanted to use a different name because this is very much a project, rather than me as the artist or the star.”

Is there something you want this project to focus on?

“A lot of the songs are focused on mental health. Some are about relationships, but mental health is definitely one of the big themes in this music. But beyond that, there’s more of a sonic theme. I asked myself, ‘If I were an artist, what would my sound be?’ So, it’s a combination of all my favourite sounds and influences.”

Maddy Simmen: “I needed to reconnect with myself and remember why I started writing and making music in the first place.”

Can you explain why Time Takes Time is the first track you released and the story behind it? 

“This was the first song we wrote for the project. I wrote it when I was feeling really lost, broken, and kind of defeated in my life, and I needed to remind myself that the healing and clarity would come in time. Everyone says, ‘Time heals everything,’ but I was getting a bit meta about that phrase. Yes, time heals, but it takes time for that time to pass, in order for the healing to happen, and it’s hard to be patient when you’re in the middle of it.

“The chorus is basically a mantra about letting it take as long as it takes. I really needed to hear that and write that, and I think a big part of finding myself again and getting into a good headspace was making this music. I needed to reconnect with myself and remember why I started writing and making music in the first place. So, it felt like the right one to put out first.”

Is it indicative of what’s to follow?

“Production-wise, it also sets the tone for the project. It’s a combination of all my favourite sounds – chill, dreamy, and still pop, with those ethereal elements I love. A big part of that is Johnny [Simmen]’s production; he knows how to make things sound dreamy in the most beautiful way. The song also has a bit of a flamenco influence – the claps you hear in the chorus are a nod to flamenco music, which I grew up on. I wanted there to be a Latin influence in all the songs for this project because I’m half Mexican and grew up listening to all kinds of Latin music.”

“Another sonic theme in the project is a focus on vocals. I’m obsessed with vocals – lots of background vocals. Savana Santos, who I wrote the song with, helped with that. She’s actually in there; her voice is in the backups. I wanted to highlight her genius because she has a way of making vocals sound so magical.”

You wrote Time Takes Time with your husband, Johnny, and your close friend/ collaborator  Savana Santos. Are you planning to involve other writers as you proceed with the project? 

“I’m working on a lot of this with Savana and Johnny, and Johnny’s producing the whole project. Obviously, we’re married so I’m biased – he happens to be my favourite producer. His work is really special. But we’re also going to include some older songs that I wrote with other writers and re-produce them, so there will be other writers involved as well.”

What are your future plans for the project and will you ever play them live? 

“The next song will probably come out in early October. I don’t have a specific date yet, but it will be released in the fall. For now, we’re just going to stick with singles. Maybe we’ll put together an album in the future if the universe wants that to happen. In terms of shows, I have crippling stage fright, so I’m definitely not planning to play any live shows. The project is just going to live on the internet for now. And that’s the beauty of music today, you can do it however you want to!”

Birdzz debut single Time Takes Time is out now. Keep an eye on @birdzzmusic and @maddysimmen on Instagram for new music and more.

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