We all have those artists and songs we hear that strike the right chord and make us fall in love at first listen. They’re the reason we refresh social media pages, tour schedules, and Spotify profiles — because we can’t miss a single release. This is Love at First Listen — a new series introducing you to the emerging, and established, artists with new music guaranteed to upgrade your playlist.
Country songstress Madeline Merlo is striking all the right chords with country listeners. The Canadian Country Music Award–winner is the mastermind behind Lady A’s hit single “Champagne Night,” which the band recorded after Madeline won their episode of NBC’s Songland in 2020. Last summer, she contributed background vocals to Cole Swindell’s smash single, “She Had Me At Heads Carolina.” Now, Madeline is ready to “slide” right to the top of every country fan’s playlist with her recently released EP ‘Slide’ and its catchy title track. It’s no surprise she is one of Amazon Music’s featured Artists to Watch in 2023—and she should be one of yours too.
For this edition of Love at First Listen, Madeline and I caught up to talk about the story behind Sam Hunt’s involvement in “Slide,” her fans’ tattoos, and the song she wrote for her upcoming wedding.
Your newest single “Slide” is bubbly, flirty, and everything pop-country should be. Tell us about its incredible origin story!
I feel like the music industry is just these random strokes of luck and a lot of hard work interweaving with each other. I had met my producer, Zach Crowell, really randomly. One day, he called me and said, “Hey, I have this song that Sam Hunt and I started a while ago, and we feel like it’s really cool but something about the melody feels a little feminine. Would you want to finish it with us?” They sent me the track and there was no real lyric or hook, but there was something about it that was really fresh and nostalgic at the same time.
I don’t know why the word “slide” popped in my head, but I spent four days trying to come up with the coolest way to use that title in the song. Finally, I said to myself, “Let’s watch tonight slide into yesterday.” I suddenly had all these ways you could use “slide” and ran into the writing room saying, “Yo, I feel like I’ve got a cool idea.” They liked it, so we tweaked it together and I’m really proud of the result.
“Slide” is the lead track from your EP of the same name, which is a collection of four incredibly infectious country jams. What vibe were you going for while in the studio?
“Slide” was the first one we finished and the catalyst for everything else. “Girl Where He Grew Up,” for example, was a song I was so proud of as a songwriter, and “YOUNG-ish” felt like it had an old Shania Twain/Keith Urban vibe to it. I was inspired to make this EP really joyful, fun, and high energy and something that made people feel good.
As you wrote on Instagram, the ‘Slide’ EP was your first project in “2 years, 5 months, and 24 days.” Can you reassure your fans they won’t have to wait that long for more music?
I promise! That was a very transitional period for me moving to a mostly American team and making a lot of changes, which was a really scary and hard thing to do. It took time to get my feet back on the ground and figure out what I wanted to do, what I wanted to say, and how I wanted to say it. So, I took a little hiatus, but I was dying to get music out the entire time. We’re dropping more music in the next couple of months and it’s really energetic and unique.
Speaking of your fans, some of them have tattoos inspired by your songs. When you see those in person for the first time, what goes through your mind, especially being such a deeply passionate music fan yourself?
It means so much. It’s wild knowing that a song can impact somebody and that they would want it on their body. I also think meeting people is my favourite thing about this job. It’s just so cool to hear from a fans’ mouth what songs they like and why they like them. It’s what we’re doing it for, and I’m so grateful people are listening. It’s truly that simple. When I write, I hope people get it or have felt that way. Then, if people go, “I feel that way,” there’s this really sweet connection, and I have friendships with a lot of them.
We can’t talk about your accomplishments without mentioning you were a season two winner of NBC’s Songland and had your song, “Champagne Night,” recorded and released by Lady A. What was your main takeaway from the experience?
It’s still one of those things I look back on and I’m like, did that really happen? It was such a special moment in 2020, which was such a terrible year, and it was the most validating thing as a songwriter. It gave me so much confidence, so whenever I feel down on myself, I remember I have a big gold record for that song and it inspires me to keep going. I feel very grateful and lucky.
You had a jam-packed last few months, signing a deal with Sony Music Publishing Nashville and releasing your first EP under your new U.S. label Broken Bow Records. How do you plan to continue that momentum in 2023?
I’ve booked some shows in the States as well as back in Canada, which is really cool, and I’m working on more music. We have some in the chamber and some ready to record, but I always try to put my blinders on and keep being as creative, different, and as inspired as I can to just create music. I feel like it’s why I’m here on this earth, and this Sony deal has been great as a songwriter to feel like I’m stepping into a role where I’m writing for myself, for other people, and for TV and film. I just feel so lucky that I get to do this job.
You’re also getting married this year! Are there any advantages to prepping for a wedding being a musician, in terms of picking the first dance song or writing something to play?
Originally, I didn’t want to sit down and be like, I have to write a wedding song, but one came naturally. I haven’t decided if I’m going to play it at the wedding or make it a gift, but my bass player’s band will be performing at the wedding, so that’s exciting. I feel like the music is the best part. We’re going to Costa Rica for our honeymoon, and I imagine I’ll also have a fresh load of song ideas after that.
We’re always looking to update our playlists with more new artists to watch in 2023. Is there anyone in your country music circle whose songs you always love at first listen?
Oh my gosh, so many! I’m loving Robyn Ottolini. She’s a super honest songwriter. I also love my James Barker Band friends; they’re so great. Definitely check them out if you haven’t already.
