Beyond the Music: Getting to know MADiSON ViOLETT

Welcome to Hawk-It Interviews, where we sit down with artists, musicians, and creatives to go beyond the surface and discover the stories behind their work.

Today, we’re joined by MADiSON ViOLETT, an emerging voice in the alternative rock and metal scene whose music blends vulnerability, intensity, and deeply personal storytelling. Drawing inspiration from artists across metalcore, post-hardcore, and alternative music, MADiSON ViOLETT is carving out a sound and identity entirely her own.

From discovering music at an early age and finding her voice as a vocalist to songwriting, live performance, creative struggles, and her ambitions for the future, we dive into the experiences that have shaped her journey so far.

Welcome to Hawk-It Interviews with MADiSON ViOLETT.

Lets's Begin!!!

Amit Ahuja: To begin at the very foundation of your story, I'd love to step back into your early years. What was the environment you grew up in like—your hometown, the culture that surrounded you, the people who shaped your life, and the overall atmosphere of your childhood and teenage years? Looking back now, how do you feel those formative experiences, relationships, challenges, and moments of inspiration influenced not only the person you've become, but also your emotional outlook, artistic perspective, and the way you approach creativity, songwriting, and self-expression today?

MADiSON ViOLETT: I grew up in a small suburban area about 45 minutes east of LA, so I’d say that growing up near the big city had a positive impact on my beginnings as a musician. Hollywood was down the road, I would go out there a lot for my own performances and events when I was young, and I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to be so near such a huge cultural and artistic hub. I feel like I wouldn’t have the same opportunities that I have today if it hadn’t been for my location.

Regarding people I grew up around, my parents are very supportive of me and I wouldn’t be where I am without their impact and influence. When I was young they’d put me in music lessons, recitals, theatre productions, and anything that helped me express myself through music and art. I’m incredibly grateful because they still continue to support my music today without question.

I’d always been a very introspective and emotionally aware person, and I’ve struggled with anxiety and OCD my whole life. Having these thoughts and emotions made aspects of my social childhood, such as fitting in, harder than it was for the other kids. Art, however, had always been my outlet and a way I could express these feelings beyond words. I’ve been using this tool my whole life and my ability to do so has only grown as the years go by. I’m honestly still on a journey to discover my full identity not only as an artist but also as a person, and writing has really helped me settle into that and explore it freely without judgement.

Amit Ahuja: Music has a way of finding people at different stages of life. Can you take us back to when it first became a meaningful part of yours? What are some of your earliest memories of singing or listening to music, and were there particular artists, albums, or moments that sparked your passion and inspired you to begin creating music of your own? Looking back, how do you think those early influences continue to shape your sound and artistic identity today?

MADiSON ViOLETT: I started doing music when I was around three or four; my parents put me in lots of recitals and musical theatre productions. As I stated before, music had become an outlet for me to express the emotions I didn’t really know how to articulate through words, and that really came through when I began writing.

I picked up acoustic guitar at age 8 because having an instrument would make it easier to write. Through learning guitar, I fully immersed myself into alternative genres and discovered it was something I wanted to pursue. The ‘rebellion’ and the ‘free self-expression’ aspects of alternative as a whole drew me in, and I discovered some artists who really made me feel represented and seen.

In alternative scenes, especially metal, women make up a very small portion as these genres are heavily male dominated. It was really cool seeing Amy Lee of Evanescence because she was direct evidence that I could make my dreams come true and be up on stage/sing just like her when it was really hard seeing myself in a position like that. Same goes with Hayley Williams of Paramore. Way later on, when I discovered that heavier music is for me (metalcore, post-hardcore), I discovered Spiritbox, a female-fronted metalcore band led by Courtney LaPlante. It’s so awesome seeing someone break the norms of what femininity in metal can look like with her groundbreaking vocals and performances.

Amit Ahuja: Loving music and choosing to pursue it as a career are often two very different things. Was there a defining moment when you realized creating music was more than just a passion—that it was something you genuinely wanted to dedicate yourself to? What gave you the confidence to take that leap, especially knowing the uncertainty and vulnerability that come with sharing your work with the world?

MADiSON ViOLETT: Music is so fundamental to me that I want to carry it with me my entire life. My dream is, frankly, to be a rockstar and to share my art with the world by touring, releasing records, and performing alongside those who made me who I am and who inspired me. I want to let people know that they’re not alone in their battles through lyricism and songwriting, leaning into that vulnerability that comes along with emotional songwriting; move people with powerful instrumentation and sonic spaces. As a musician, there’s no better rush than to be up there on stage and performing for a crowd. My objective is to make those crowds larger and larger with each show.

One important thing that I keep with me is that I always say that nothing is truly impossible. If you have a dream, go for it, don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t have it. However, dreams are only made through hard work, discipline, and resilience—those are non-negotiables when it comes to accomplishments. If you truly want something you have to be willing to put in the work and keep your head up because there’s no way the road there is going to be easy, but keep the goal in your sights at all times.

Amit Ahuja: Every artist eventually finds the genre that feels like home. What initially drew you to rock and metal? Beyond the music itself, what was it about the culture—the emotion, intensity, atmosphere, aesthetics, or sense of belonging—that resonated with you on such a deep level? As you've grown as an artist, has your relationship with the genre evolved, or do those same qualities continue to inspire you today?

MADiSON ViOLETT: There’s something very special about metal music—it can be anything and everything all at once. Vulnerable, aggressive, tragic… the list goes on. I feel like metal can capacitate another level of emotion because it's allowed to explore expansive areas sonically and vocally. Same with the culture. Metal and alternative in general are all about being unapologetically you and to stand against the systems that force you to conform to something you’re not. As someone who’s struggled with fitting in her entire life, I’ve resonated with that heavily and continue to embody it with my art. That level of freedom is empowering, especially as a woman, who’s culturally expected to sit still and stay quiet. Breaking the mold through metal and alternativeness is basically my middle finger to anyone who criticizes people for being themselves.

Amit Ahuja: As the voice behind Madison Violet, what does being a vocalist mean to you on a personal level? Beyond simply singing the notes, how do you approach conveying emotion, telling a story, and connecting with listeners through your voice? Has your relationship with singing changed as you've grown both personally and as an artist?

MADiSON ViOLETT: Being a vocalist is extra cool because you are the instrument. Exploring how you can manipulate and convey emotions with simply a voice is such an incredible feeling.

As the years went on, I definitely (and still am) continuing to find my specific identity as a vocalist but I tend to have a very dynamic tone (from falsetto, belting, distressed vox) heavily inspired by alternative vocalists Hayley Williams, Courtney LaPlante, Amy Lee, and Kellin Quinn. I also draw inspiration not only from alternative but also from jazz, soul, indie, and even sometimes musical theatre. My vocal style doesn't necessarily have a label per-se, it’s just… me. It’s cool to see a distinctive style form throughout my experience and have all of my inspirations come together into one beautiful thing.

Amit Ahuja: Your music has always felt incredibly honest and emotionally rich. When you're writing a new song, where does the creative process usually begin? Does it start with a lyric, a melody, a memory, or simply an emotion you can't ignore? How has your songwriting process evolved throughout your career?

MADiSON ViOLETT: Basically, whenever I’m dealing with something unignorable or heavy, I draw out all of my emotions through writing. There’s no ‘wrong’ or’right’ way that I do it, I just let it come to me naturally. Maybe it starts with a riff, maybe it starts with a stressful day or experience, maybe it’s something that I’d been struggling with for a long time and I want to try to articulate it through lyrics.

It’s always been this way, but I feel like I’ve been able to grow into vulnerability and storytelling. As I’ve matured it’s been easier for me to properly translate feelings into words.

Amit Ahuja: Your songs often connect with listeners because they feel deeply personal while remaining universally relatable. How much of your own life naturally finds its way into your lyrics? Do you ever write songs that are simply too personal to release, and how do you decide which stories belong only to you and which you're willing to share with the world?

MADiSON ViOLETT: Everything I write is quite personal to me, as my art is born from emotion and experience. To be honest, there’s nothing really that I’ve written that has struck me as ‘too personal to release’, as I want a lot of my difficult experiences and vulnerability to resonate with others. The vulnerability itself is what makes it worthy of release.

Amit Ahuja: Some of your most memorable songs—"Bleed For Me," "Nightmares," "Restless Mind," "Counting Daggers," and "Bury Me Alive"—have resonated deeply with listeners because of their emotional weight and powerful storytelling. Can you take us inside the lyrical meanings behind each of those songs? What inspired them, what emotions or experiences were you exploring, and what do you hope listeners take away from them today?

MADiSON ViOLETT: ”Circling” is about realizing that it’s okay to acknowledge that people have hurt you, and that’s the first step to recognizing that you are above the ones who have wronged you. You are so much more than the people who have put you down- and after all, their words are just words. The fact that people are trying to bring you down confirms that they’re intimidated by your resilience and strength. What I want to convey to all my listeners is to stay strong. Keep your head up and don’t let anyone dim your flame. Don’t stop chasing what you’re after.”

https://youtu.be/Xc7DlrJEEf4?si=Et2m_6d1uWgtN_gs

“BLEED FOR ME is a tragic love song in a sense. It encapsulates that painful feeling as you watch your friends and loved ones around you all find their ‘special someones’; find connection and romance. That leads to the questions: “Why not me? Am I doing something wrong? Is there something wrong with me?” The lyrics are a plea: ‘Will you bleed for me, like I bleed for you? Is that something you can do?’

However, Kellin’s verse is the lyrical beacon of hope in the track. Things will be okay- and it will become right when they need to be. There’s no need to rush. ‘Take my heart by the hand, don’t ever let me go, don’t ever be afraid, I’ll be your afterglow.’ I’m so excited to share BLEED FOR ME with the world and I hope it will resonate with others who are feeling the same way. A reminder that there will always be light within darkness- you just have to find it.”

NIGHTMARES is about confronting obsessive/intrusive thoughts and how they interact with your thinking and life. I have anxiety and OCD and I wanted to explore the feeling of an obsession or theme feeling like a ‘nightmare’, something that haunts your brain constantly and you can’t seem to escape it no matter what you do. On top of that, I want this song to exist as a reminder for other people feeling the same thing and to let them know they’re not alone in their battle.

Amit Ahuja: Every artist experiences moments of doubt, creative frustration, and personal obstacles, often leading to some of their biggest creative breakthroughs. Looking back on your journey so far, what has been one of the greatest challenges you've had to overcome, and how did it shape you as both an artist and a person? Were there songs or projects that pushed you outside your comfort zone, changed dramatically from their original vision, or nearly didn't make the final release?

MADiSON ViOLETT: I’d definitely say the social media barrier. A big challenge a lot of artists struggle with today is finding their audience since a common way artists are discovered nowadays is through being prominent on social media, which is awesome because of social media’s accessibility, but because of that accessibility it makes it a lot harder to get seen. As a modern artist, you have to constantly push on social media for even a chance to get your name out there, and it's extremely crucial to do so if you want a shot at making it big.

Being consistent on social media is such a difficult task and very exhausting/deterring some days but frankly it’s taught me a lot of good things: which are that things do happen with hard work and consistency. It’s a reminder to just keep pushing no matter how distant and impossible the end result may seem. I’m still on my way and nowhere near my goal, but from the little time I’ve committed I’ve already made leaps and bounds progress-wise.

Amit Ahuja: Many listeners describe your music as both intimate and cinematic. Beyond music itself, where do you find inspiration? Are there books, films, travel, conversations, or everyday experiences that continually spark new ideas and influence your songwriting?

MADiSON ViOLETT: Cinematic is a great word. I want people to envision/feel like they’re experiencing a film or a montage whenever they listen to music. I’m a very imaginative, creative, and vivid daydreamer, and music is one of my main triggers. Sometimes I get so caught up listening to a song that I completely space out and imagine a scene in my head. I want people to step into new sonic worlds when they hear my music, and that’s why I love to incorporate cinematic production, dreamy synths, and moving, ambient guitar riffs in my music. I’m very inspired by artists that evoke the same thing for me, such as Erra, Spiritbox, Architects, Bring Me The Horizon, etc.

Amit Ahuja: Live performances create a connection that's very different from a studio recording. When someone experiences your music for the first time in concert, what do you hope they leave feeling? Beyond the songs themselves, how important are storytelling, atmosphere, and emotional connection in creating a memorable live experience?

MADiSON ViOLETT: Live is one of my favorite ways to consume music because it forces you to live in the moment. I always make sure to create an engaging and entertaining environment that immerses the audience into the sounds and community experience of being at a show together. I especially love when there’s moshing and dancing happening, because that’s evidence that the music has moved them enough to dance and have fun, and that’s my goal.

Amit Ahuja: Throughout your career so far, who have been some of the most influential people you've looked up to? Whether they're musicians, songwriters, mentors, family members, or people outside the music world, what lessons have they taught you that continue to shape both your artistry and your outlook on life?

MADiSON ViOLETT: As mentioned before, seeing women in alternative scenes on stage and doing the things I dream of were absolutely crucial to my artistry because it felt so impossible as a woman to even be an icon in the alternative scene. Courtney LaPlante of Spiritbox, Amy Lee of Evanescence, Emma Boster of Dying Wish, and Hayley Williams of Paramore were all major influences on me.

Beyond those influences, I have some incredibly inspiring/achieving friends who have been a part of my musical journey and continue to inspire and push me every day. Edwin Woodside, an absolute shredder who has worked alongside me for some instrumental guitar work. Shaina Keiths, an incredibly talented drummer who I’ve had the honor of sharing the stage with several times, Megan Spencer, another fantastic drummer who was a part of my Counting Daggers music video, and Christopher Shaibi, my videographer who has helped craft my image and visuals as an artist with his incredible talent for visual storytelling. In addition, my producer/engineer Jonathan Mireles who has been with me every step of the way and has been crucial in my growth as an artist. None of my music would exist without his talent and support and I’m so extremely grateful for him in my journey.

Amit Ahuja: Outside of music, what helps you recharge creatively and emotionally? Are there hobbies, routines, books, films, or interests that people might be surprised to learn play an important role in keeping you inspired?

MADiSON ViOLETT: 100% I’m an artist and total nerd all around. I love creative writing (I’m for sure going to publish a novel someday), illustrating comic art, acting, and theatre. I was an inducted International Thespian at my high school for musical theatre, and I used to do a little bit of acting in commercials (I want to start getting into the TV/film industry someday again lol) If I had the opportunity to be in a movie or series I would jump on it without question.

Another hobby I’ve been totally into lately has been weightlifting. I’d been lifting on and off since I was 15, but now I’ve fully committed to achieving my goals (shoutout Leanbeefpatty) and have been hitting the gym 6 times a week. It’s my therapy and helps me get any bad emotions off my mind, it’s a fantastic outlet for rage lol.

Amit Ahuja: Fans often feel like they know an artist through their music, but there's always another side that remains unseen. What's something about you that listeners would probably never guess? Do you have any hidden talents, unusual interests, or personal goals you've rarely had the chance to talk about?

MADiSON ViOLETT: Same answers as above :)

Amit Ahuja: Although your journey as Madison Violet is still in its early chapters, you've already connected with listeners through deeply personal music. Looking ahead, what excites you most about this next stage of your career? As you continue to grow both personally and creatively, what kind of artist do you hope to become, and what do you hope listeners will come to know you for?

MADiSON ViOLETT: I’m excited to see where this project goes if I keep committing to resilience and hard work. I can’t wait to see what opportunities come my way in the near future especially with some releases coming up soon that I’m looking forward to! I hope to become someone that other young girls can look up to and become inspired as I have with my idols and musical heroes. I want to be a physical reminder that you’re not alone in your struggles and your journeys, and that there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel no matter how hard the present may seem. That’s why sharing my art has always been so important to me—the community aspect, and the way you can transcend emotional connection beyond words.

Amit Ahuja: Looking back across your body of work so far, is there one song that you feel best represents who you are as an artist today? What makes that song so significant to you, and do you feel it reflects the creative direction you're continuing to move toward?

MADiSON ViOLETT: 100% BLEED FOR ME. I had the incredible opportunity to work with one of my biggest inspirations from the start, Kellin Quinn of Sleeping with Sirens. He’s one of the most powerful voices of the 2000s and the emo scene as a whole and honestly helped me find my voice as a vocalist. I greatly appreciate his love for the independent arts and his goal to uplift rising artists, he’s such an insanely kind human. It was an absolute dream to hear his voice alongside mine in the final recording, and an honor to make music alongside him.

The song itself is a nice combination between 2000s post-hardcore and modern metalcore, which is where my sound as an artist sits. The rawness and power of the 2000s mixed with innovative modern production creates a really unique sound I’ve been having fun playing with. I definitely feel like my music is going in that direction and I can’t wait to share all of the new amazing things I’ve been writing in that vein.

Amit Ahuja: If you could spend an evening around a dinner table with any three musicians or songwriters—living or gone—who would you invite, and what's the first question you'd ask each of them? What do you think those conversations would teach or inspire you as an artist?

MADiSON ViOLETT: Amy Lee of Evanescence: You’re one of the biggest voices in the history of metal and have been absolutely instrumental to my craft. What was it like becoming such an icon in the scene as a woman, and how did your identity influence your art?

Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance - Your band has been insanely successful and iconic for almost three decades now. What does resilience mean to you and how did you keep working hard to achieve your dreams no matter how far away they seemed?

Courtney LaPlante of Spiritbox - Your vocals are groundbreaking and you’ve become one of the faces of modern metalcore. I see myself in you, what did it take to start touring globally, perform and be nominated for several Grammys, and develop such a distinct identity to yourself and your music?

Amit Ahuja: And finally, as we wrap up our conversation, I'd love to leave the last word with you. What message would you like to share with your fans and our readers? For anyone currently chasing a dream, navigating self-doubt, struggling creatively, or still searching for their own voice and identity, what words of encouragement or wisdom would you most like them to carry with them after reading this interview?

MADiSON ViOLETT: The most important advice I can give sounds terribly cliche, but absolutely true. Never give up and never let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. Anything is possible if you keep working hard for it, even if you fail several times, just get back up on your feet and keep pushing. With hard work comes results, even if those results at first glance may seem out of reach. They’re there waiting for you; you just have to take that journey to grab them.

Amit Ahuja: And with that, we wrap up our conversation with MADiSON ViOLETT.

From turning deeply personal emotions into music to finding strength through vulnerability, MADiSON’s journey is one built on creativity, resilience, and an unwavering determination to keep moving forward. With new music on the horizon and even bigger dreams ahead, this is only the beginning of her story.

A huge thank you to MADiSON ViOLETT for taking the time to speak with Hawk-It Interviews and for giving us an honest look into the person, passion, and experiences behind the music.

Be sure to keep an eye on MADiSON ViOLETT and what comes next.

Until next time, thank you for reading Hawk-It Interviews — where we go beyond the music and get to know the artists behind it.

Please support independent artists like MADiSON ViOLETT by checking out her music and socials through the Linktree below:

https://linktr.ee/madison.violett?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAcGRvZgJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA85MzY2MTk3NDMzOTI0NTkAAaf8byygc2dXGQhpY38Zikm1r7_WEsTqBeN-CZXBj1PMY5wfgJzbEGRV47atVg_aem_g8NXjZRoioqJymB2yzTsLg

***All images and videos used by Hawk-IT Media are credited to and provided courtesy of MADiSON ViOLETT.***