Madeline Rosene
Madeline Rosene discusses her provocative new single, “I’ll Seduce God to Get Into Heaven,” exploring rebellion, humor, existentialism, evolving sound, and the creative freedom behind her unapologetic artistry.
1. Your new single, “I’ll Seduce God to Get Into Heaven,” is described as your most defiant and visceral track yet. What inspired the provocative title and the idea behind the song?
I was thinking about how most people think of God as this human-like deity like Michelangelo’s The Creation of Adam, William Blake’s supernatural etching The Ancient of Days, or you know, even like Morgan Freeman. I’m assuming they see him that way because of the Bible saying God created man in his own image, but I think most theologists interpret that as not a physical resemblance but more of a shared capacity and dedication to love of creation and each other.
Then I thought about how ridiculous it sort of is to think that God just looks like some guy (I mean if you believe there is a God). I guess I started taking “What if God Was One of Us?” just a touch further… and I sort of fell into creating this power-hungry, thirsty, cocky character who truly believes they can get away with anything (“I’m hot so God will let me pass the pearly gates!”)
This character singing this song is of course part of who I am. Haven’t many of us had moments where we feel untouchable or at least moments when we want to feel that strong sense of entitlement and overconfidence that we see so many others display? This is a DEEPLY arrogant, vain and brash song and I encourage people to not take it too seriously. The song is a feeling. I don’t really believe I’m going to seduce God to get into heaven, especially since I don’t believe in God…so can you really blast me for blasphemy?
2. The song explores themes of rebellion, temptation, and giving in to your “inner wolf.” How do you balance humor, provocation, and deeper existential ideas in your songwriting?
Rebellion and temptation make for great themes for rock songs. The fact is if you want to go religious with it— Christians would tell us we are all sinners, right? I just felt like maybe this was a particularly taboo and wild example of sin. Has anyone tried to tempt God sexually? As far as I know, not in the Bible, since he’s described as a non-physical entity. But I guess the idea and delusion that he’s even attainable adds to the absurdity even more and makes this character more ridiculous and brazen. Could a non-physical entity get turned on by its own creation? These are life’s deep questions that keep me awake at night.
You can hate the character. You can hate me for dreaming it up. You can definitely hate the song. But gosh darn, if it’s not a sassy, assertive, insanely insolent tune, I don’t know what is.
3. At 135 BPM, the track has a noticeably faster, more indie-punk-driven energy than your previous work. What made you want to push your sound in this direction?
I’m tempted to push my songs in whatever direction seems right for them. I think since I am a songwriter first and a singer second (songwriter/singer), I tend to want to figure out the best direction for the song, even if that means changing my sound completely. I don’t care if I never have a sound people recognize, as long as I have a few songs they like.
4. You worked with two-time Grammy-nominated producer and mix engineer Eric Emery, whose credits include Blink-182, Alice Cooper, and Yellowcard. What did he bring to the song, and how did the collaboration influence its final sound?
Eric brought everything to this song (not going to lie). When Alec and I first made the demo, it sounded more like a musical number maybe! There were also a lot more lyrics since I tend to write much more than necessary. But Eric gave it its sound, culled the lame lyrics, added some of his own, we riffed on hook melodies and he truly let me be a rockstar through him. Also, Jake Dick on drums and Colin Cook on guitar are actually unbelievable. If I worship anything, it’s these guys’ talent.
5. Your previous albums, Raised on Porn and Everyday Existential Crisis, explored very personal and existential territory. How does this new single fit into the larger evolution of Madeline Rosene as an artist?
I would say I don’t really have a plan (besides God’s 😉
It only fits in as far as the idea fit in my brain, and now since it’s been birthed, the world can judge me for it.
6. You regularly perform at iconic Los Angeles venues such as Hotel Café and the Viper Room. How does performing these songs live change your relationship with them, and what can fans expect from Madeline Rosene’s next chapter?
I’m afraid performing this song live is going to make me hate it ‘cause it’s a tough one!! But if we can get it down, it will be a lot of fun to perform. Expect new songs coming out slowly because I don’t like slop!