original photo by mary kula
The unfettered passion and artfully dense power punching persuasion of "Green Light", by Los Angeles sonic / emotional powerhouse Child Seat, is something to behold as you hold onto a supportive someone as you listen, whether it be a loved one or a stranger. The production is so supercharged with pulsations of sound, striking downbeats, thumping bass pushes, counter-poised guitar leads, synths orchestrations and, of course, Madeleine Mathews' layers of beautifully raucous vocals that are unmistakably Child Seat.
When it comes to Mathews' wailing vox and partner in arms, Josiah Mazzaschi, as co-songwriter, musician, accomplished exquisite producer and their universe building I always throw the 80's descriptor card face up on the table but the more I hear (while that inspiration does still feel clear) Child Seat's sound is feeling absolutely fresh within contemporary pop and indie rock. I guess what I am trying to express is that their music feels less like a throwback and more like prescient rock, their sounds as an artistic full circle kind of existence. Listen to "Green Light" and you will clearly realize Mathews as a totally unique vocal artist and understand Mazzaschi's brilliance as a soundsmith.
The LIFE FORCE is evident on this track and given the seeds of this song no wonder, see below:
LINER NOTES (excerpted / bracketed)"
[The song’s origins are as unexpected as they are visceral. After lead singer Madeleine Mathews suffered a severe toxic reaction to a common antibiotic (Cipro), her life….and love life…was put on hold for nearly a year. Weakened, in recovery, and stuck in stillness, she found herself craving movement, connection, and the rush of desire she could no longer physically chase.
“I could barely walk for the first month after I had the severe reaction to Cipro,” says Mathews. “I wasn’t aware that the antibiotic came with a black box warning and I ended up getting overprescribed the drug, causing even further issues.
‘Green Light’ is about wanting to hit the gas when your body’s still at a red. It felt like l wanted to GO GO GO, but I kept getting met with life’s stop signs.
That hunger for life and love when you’ve been forced to pause. Not only was it hard to walk due to my tendons on my feet being affected, but I struggled being able to be intimate in any capacity due to severe pelvic pain as a result from the Cipro. Beyond that, my mental health also suffered. I couldn’t be intimate with my partner, I suffered brain fog, I could barely see my friends or walk or even use the bathroom without pain. It took nearly a year to recover and still to this day I have symptoms from it.”]
"Green Light" cuts a wide path, another unique vision for Child Seat.
-Robb Donker Curtius
THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM
https://www.youtube.com/@childseatmusic
https://www.instagram.com/childseatmusic/
https://www.facebook.com/childseatofficial
https://childseatmusic.com/
https://childseat.bandcamp.com/album/dancing-at-the-disco
Child Seat, the powerhouse duo formed in the Fall of 2021 by Madeleine Mathews (MAWD) and Josiah Mazzaschi (Light FM, Bizou), turns pandemic setbacks into indie rock gold. With the entirety of their debut album written remotely during the pandemic, Mathews’ powerful rock vocals, reminiscent of artists like Brittany Howard/Karen O./Annie Lennox, creates a unique juxtaposition over Mazzaschi's 80's synth-heavy instrumentals with a hint of the indie rock/pop bands of the early 2000’s/2010’s. Child Seat is also joined by their core members Allison Loewe (bass/ backing vocals) and Argel Cota (drums/ backing vocals).
Child Seat has been busy since their birth.
Playing successful showcases in SXSW in 2023, opening for The Regrettes for a sold out show presented by Dr. Martens, touring, and performing all around Los Angeles. They recently released their second album, “Dancing at the Disco” in June 2024, which notably features Jon Button on bass (The Who) and Nancy Kuo on violin (Courtney Love, Linda Perry, H.E.R., Allison Mosshart, Megan Thee Stallion) and Ron Dzbuilba on saxophone (Jon Batiste).
Additional band highlights include songs featured in the indie horror film, It Lives Inside, as well as The CW’s Legacies, and MTV’s 16 & Pregnant and a collaboration with Jeff Schroeder previously of “The Smashing Pumpkins” who plays guitar on their song, “Burning” off their debut record, “Bad Holiday,”.
The band has also been featured multiple times on KCRW, SiriusXM, 88.5, KROQ and more.
Child Seat encompasses both Mathews and Mazzaschi’s strengths. Mazzaschi has over 20+ years of success recording and producing artists like The Jesus and the Mary Chain, Jeff Schroeder of the Smashing Pumpkins, Deap Vally, Built to Spill, Rilo Kiley and more, as well as writing/performing for his own projects; Light FM, Motorhome, and Bizou. Mathews, who has fronted and written for numerous bands as well has won songwriting competitions, is defined by her unique vocal styling and powerful lyricism.
"Green Light", 80's music, sonic collisions, alt pop, Bizou), Child Seat, cinematic pop, dream pop, incredible vocals, indie rock, Josiah Mazzaschi (Light FM, Madeleine Mathews (MAWD), romance wave
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