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Craig Maddox

17-year-old Hertfordshire singer/songwriter Craig Maddox has been called a male Tori Amos or Tracy Chapman. See what you think?!

How would you describe your style of music?

Piano based, introspective and meaningful songs. Difficult to pinpoint – probably a mixture of different genres.

What would you say are your musical influences?

Inspiring and original songwriters such as Tori Amos, Bjork and Alanis Morissette.

How did you get to this point in your career?

I have been playing the piano since I was eight and started writing songs when I was ten. When I was eleven I recorded my first song and made my first short album at the age of twelve. At thirteen I decided to abandon the piano and began writing pop songs – I even tried a little dancing in a video I made for one of them! However, events in my life at that time began to deeply affect me and I found myself back at the piano again, writing songs with a very different sound. With these songs came the new expressive style I had been looking for and I’ve been gigging ever since.

Of the songs you have written, what’s your favourite at the moment and why?

There is one song that I have never played live before called “Caught in the Wind”. I recently found the lyrics again and I instantly remembered the tune. What surprised me about the music was that it was so similar to the style of music that I am doing now and yet I wrote it when I was thirteen. I couldn’t believe that I had forgotten it – it’s definitely my favourite at the moment.

What type of gig do you most like to play and why?

Small, intimate venues are my favourites. I just think the type of music I play suits those venues the best.

What’s your most memorable gig and why?

When I was trying to do pop music, I sang at a club in Stevenage. I will always remember being on stage and thinking to myself “This is wrong – I should be in front of a piano”. It was a pivotal moment for me.

What’s your fan base like? What group of people would you say you appealed to most?

My fans are extremely varied in both age and music taste. I remember looking up during a gig once and seeing people from fourteen to sixty years old! Saying that, people that like my music the most tend to also like creative, thought provoking artists.

What’s the weirdest thing a fan has ever done / sent to you?

I remember giving my CD to someone who saw me at Cardiff Mardi Gras and not thinking much of it. However, when I saw her at my next gig two days later in my home town, she mouthed the words to every single track. Needless to say I was a bit taken aback.

Name one unusual fact about you.

I can’t read music.

If you could record a collaboration with ANYONE - who would it be and why?

Tori Amos, without a doubt. I only discovered her music a few years ago and was surprised at the similarities in our music styles. She is uncompromising in her musical decisions and is an incredibly accomplished lyricist.

What’s your ultimate ambition or dream?

I have two ambitions. To be able to make a career out of singing/songwriting and to use the journey to find inner spirituality and happiness.

Listen to Craig Maddox's track Lucy using the link on the right.

last updated: 03/08/05

Have Your Say

Laura Cracknell
I just want to say how proud I am of craig and (i dont suppose he remembers me from drama class at long RD) but he definatly has a talent for performing. I wish him every happiness for the future and enjoy yourself!

K@ Fluff
I listened to this show... Craig's voice seems mature far beyond his years! Not usually my sort of thing, but it was nice to hear proper talent and good song writing compared to the rubbish thats in the top 40! Keep it up!!

Monica
The original "Don't Fear the Reaper" was a good song but Craig's acoustic version was stunning. Let's hear more from this talented and articulate young man.

Doug
It was wonderful to turn on the radio and hear such talent. I had to tell everyone in the car to be quiet while I listened. Such evident emotion in songwriting is all too rare these days with many artists going through the motions - when you hear the real thing though, its unmistakable. I look forward to an album release!

Annette
Keep up the good work.

Elizabeth
What a talented warm and passionate young man. It was lovely to hear such an eloquent interview.

Richard A
I think that Craig has a really promising future ahead of him, his songs are beutiful to listen to! He is a very talented young man!

Rosie
Good to hear Craig again, hope to hear more soon. x

Ruth
Wishing you luck with your dreams and ambitions and looking forward to hearing your new material!

A different Craig!
It's criminal that talent like this is so often overlooked. Here's to a very bright future so very well deserved.

George Allen
Craig is a star in the making, and only needs someone out there in the industry to make him truly shine - good luck Craig!I know you´ll do well!

Justine
First of all, if you value emotive, thought provoking lyrics, haunting melodies and wicked harmonies, Tori Amos is anything but dull. Even if her music is not to your taste, Mac, surely its better to have an original artist who puts some soul into her music as your influence rather than the kind of cynical, mass produced music-by-numbers that greedy record companies are flooding the industry with? Anyway, enough of Tori Amos. I love your music Craig- innovative, heartfelt, amazing. I don't know why you're not signed, but I hope it happens soon!

Hayley
I am really impressed by the depth of Craigs music and his ability to write and play his own songs from the heart. I think its great that he believes in what he does, and does not follow the 'norm'. I find his music really inspiring and emotional. This interview is really good and I hope to see many more.... And Tori Amos is not dull at all, and is definately someone to be influenced by. Who wants to be influenced by the rest of the rubbish in the music industry?

alan Drail
liked the monster track and looking forward to hearing more

Kevin
I have followed craig over the past 7 years and seen him develop into an extremely intelligent and articulate songwriter. His finest moment to date is "so beautifull" which in my opinion is dangerously close to what all songwriters seek in the perfect song. Keep up the good work and see you soon

American Dream
Great songs! Lots of talent Craig. Ready & waiting to be signed up! I like Monster

Lyn Everitt
Great to listen to, hope to see you singing 'live' soon.

yvonne
totaly moved by a very deep and emotional interview, made me stop and listen again..so beautiful is just outstanding, wonderful, craig must get signed or there is nothing left of our music industry its so good to know there are songwriters out there that still believe in writing about life, craig touched the spot within us all

adam
what an icredible interview,will look forward to hearing much more from a very talented young man...star...just amazing please let us know when the albums coming out

Sue-Ann
I look forward with eager anticipation to the personal and professional growth and development of this very talented young artist!

Mac
Tori Amos is very dull young man, not someone to be influenced by.

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