The New York musician combines her enchanting vocals & spellbinding instrumentation on jazzy R&B single
Leave it to a rainy early spring night for a discovery of solid tunes to start the season up right. Musicologists attending the listening party for Gender Amplified’s EP In Bloom were also gifted a showcase of musicians from the Tone Shift Collective. A late arrival of one such member, Bymaddz, sparked much surprise and musical enjoyment across the room. With a brief introduction, fans were privy to “Sunrise Over Hilo“, a track that truly ended the evening on a beautiful note.
This dreamworld of a song flutters with her enchanting vocals that somehow seem edged onto rhythm and blues. There is a silky smooth comfort with this flow as the single encourages fans to pause their steps and give in. Even the instrumentation links into new age jazz that is a welcome pairing. Bymaddz truly and confidently welcomes listeners to her talent as a vocal painter unveiling a landscape that is hers. Sunrise Over Hilo is an audible treat for the audiophile who desires an organic artistry that is pure with no fault. Beyond that memorable night, Bymaddz added on to her work to date and where she hopes to go next.
“Sunrise Over Hilo” is hitting all the right elements of sound, can you talk about the difficulties of this track or some fond memories of its creation?
This track had been in the works for over two years. I have a method on how I work and so once I found the beat on YouTube the hook came next and so on. It was a song that I wanted to groove to, the bass slaps and it’s just a funky track. [The] only difficulty I faced was pushing myself to finish and release it because there was a period of time I struggled with my mental health. I felt like nobody would listen to it. I thought people would think it’s too “different.” A fond memory was sharing this song in a room of other talented female artists and songwriters and the song being received positively.
How has your experience been with Tone Shift Collective? Can you share a specific experience with that group?
The Tone Shift x Gender Amplified event and being featured as one of the artists for the night! Lydia is the homie and for her to reach out and have me talk about and share my new single was such a sweet treat!
Where does your music live in your ideal environment? Is it in space, the rainforest or someplace else entirely?
My music lives in an ethereal land full of nature animals and bugs living in peace. The animals frolic through lilies and tulips and dandelions. The weather is warm, a gentle breeze and the skies are shades of pink, yellow and blue.
What hopes do you have for 2025? What would you like to see improved overall?
Hopes I have are opening for artists and bigger crowds. I always felt slept on and now I feel a little bit more seen. My mission is to inspire. So my goal is to reach more people, share and unify.
What advice would you give musicians just entering the space that you wish you had known and why?
Be yourself unapologetically. If it doesn’t feel authentic to you then it’s not you. That’s such a cliche saying but it’s a truth as old as time. Enter the space as you, be you. You’ll find your community and be received by the right people. It seems so fundamental, but I struggled to be accepted because I wanted to be acknowledged for my music. I wasn’t myself and it showed through, not just my music, but my attitude. I was trying to be this “ideal” female artist. I was trying to change my sound and fit in with my looks. I watch anime, and wear colorful make-up and sing and dance in the rain, so I learned to embrace all versions of myself and found that it’s the best version of me. I stand out because I am true to me.
