Indiana born sister duo Lily & Madeleine accidentally meandered into the folk music spotlight.
Tabbed by Paste as “The Best of What’s Next” back in 2013, the sisters ended up in the studio with John Mellencamp and viewed on Reddit thousands of times based on the strength of their songwriting and homespun Youtube videos.
Recognition and critical acclaim soon followed. While not anticipated, the sisters – still in their teens – were penning songs that certainly warranted the attention.
2013 also saw the release of both an EP and the duo’s first full length record. A second record followed in 2014, and Lily & Madeleine released Keep It Together, their third long player, back in February on New West Records.
September saw Lily & Madeleine sign on to tour across the country with folk icon Brett Dennen. The tour that began out in California will wind its way through the Southeast this month, including a stop in Asheville this weekend. A couple tickets are yours for the taking by answering the trivia question down below.
I recently got to pepper Lily and Madeleine with questions about life on the road.
BRO – No green room is complete without . . .
Lily – A cheese plate!
Madeleine – A dirty mirror and an assortment of tea bags.
BRO – Favorite on stage libation?
Madeleine – We drink room temperature water on stage, but if the venue has a fancy bar – and an open tab! – I like to try one of their cocktails.
Lily – Yeah, I really just chug a ton of water on stage.
BRO – Festival you have played that you really enjoyed as a fan?
Lily – Bunbury Festival in Cincinnati! It was so fun. We go to see Kishi Bashi and Paramore perform.
BRO – Who is the better on the road DJ?
Madeleine – Lily puts in her headphones and shuts everyone out when we’re on the road. That’s totally fine with me. I usually use the aux cord to play true crime podcasts or the Savage Lovecast.
Lily – I can’t spend all day talking to the two same people or I’ll go crazy! Plus, Madge doesn’t like rap much, which is usually what I listen to.
BRO – Coolest thing you have ever bought at a gas station?
Madeleine – Money’s tight on tour, but if I feel like splurging I’ll buy some green apple licorice, either the Australian kind or the Amish kind.
BRO – More difficult – playing for ten people or one thousand people?
Madeleine – Honestly, it’s more difficult play for ten people, in my opinion. I feel like I have to capture each person’s attention individually. It makes me feel more vulnerable on stage.
Lily – It’s always most difficult for me to perform when there are people I know in the audience.
BRO – Least favorite state to drive through?
Madeleine – Kansas is somehow flatter and more boring than Indiana, but Illinois has all the tolls, which we just love.
Lily – Yes! The tolls are so annoying!
BRO – Favorite Brett Dennen song to hear live?
Lily – I feel like my favorite song of his changes from week to week, but right now I really like hearing “Make You Crazy.”
Madeleine – “Dancing At A Funeral,” from his album Lover Boy. It’s such a fun jam.
Lily & Madeleine will be on tour with Brett Dennen for much of the rest of October. For information on dates and venues, please cruise on over to their website.
Interested in catching Lily & Madeleine and Brett Dennen this Sunday at The Grey Eagle in Asheville? If so, take a chance on the trivia question down below. Email your answer to [email protected]. A winner of two passes to the show will be chosen from all of the correct responses received by noon tomorrow (Friday, October 14th).
Question . . . . Lily and Madeleine are sisters. Which one is older?
Remember to email your answers in. Don’t post in the comments below! Good luck!
