Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear can a mother and son tour together
Inteview conducted on Oct.06, 2018
By Dan Locke
Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear consists of Madisen Ward; and Ruth Ward. They are a modern soulful/folk music duo. Performing mostly all original written music in various coffee houses, for anyone who will listen.
Daniel Locke: Ruth you started songwriting at the birth of Madisen. Did you play guitar before that?
Ruth Ward: I have been playing guitar and singing to audiences since I was 19.
What was your first song you wrote?
Can’t really remember it was so long ago; it was probably something spiritual.
Who were your musical influences at that time?
My musical influences were eclectic singer-songwriters from the 70’s Janis Ian Peter Paul and Mary, John Denver etc.
Ruth, you started out in coffee shops. Which coffee shop had the best coffee?
The coffee house with the best coffee was Starbucks.
Who would you like to jam with?
I would like to jam with Janis Ian
What type of guitars do you play? Model make and year? And why did you pick them?
Alvarez Yari 1979
What music do you listen to, to relax?
Anything on my Spotify playlist, which is pretty eclectic.
What was you first song you wrote?
Madisen Ward: The Animal Song. Wrote it with a friend named Andrew in early high school. It was a song about loving animals. Mostly just humorous stuff to make our friends laugh.
Who were your musical influences at that time. Has that changed over the years?
I really loved Elliot Smith, Nick Drake, Tom Waits, Jack White. These artists still play an influential role today.
How did you and your son start playing together?
Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear
My mom was performing in coffee shops, and one day I started writing original music that she really liked. So she asked me to go play a couple of those songs during her break at the coffee shop. So I did. She really believed in what I was writing, and wanted me to share it with folks. Slowly but surely, I went from playing just during those breaks to sharing the whole evening. Then we started blending our voices and guitars, and then decided to perform all original material. It was well received, so we decided to take a crack at making a career together.
What was your first gig together?
Our first gig was at that coffee shop. When I was maybe a Junior, or Senior in high school.
So you are a mother and son duo. Madisen what dd you friends think about you starting a band with you mom?
My friends didn’t think much of it; they were just supportive, and wanted us to succeed.
How did you get your band name?
We needed a name to put on our EP we released in 2012. At first, I wanted to call us “Mama Bear”, but that name was taken. Then my dad said, because I wrote the songs, I should add my name. So I called us Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear.
How were you describe your music to someone who never never heard it?
Folky, Americana, sort of indie roots music.
How was it to play on David Letter? How was he as a person?
The David Letterman show was a pretty surreal experience, and ultimately a positive one. We didn’t get a chance to talk to Dave, but he seemed very kind. After the cameras shut off, he turned to us, and gave us a thumbs up.
How did you get onto Tiny Desk Concert? How big is the room and how many people were in the room as you recorded your show?
I never know how we end up on anything. We sort of just make the music, and hope the phone rings. We want to be able to share our work, thankfully the phone rang from Tiny Desk. It’s an office, so size-wise, just imagine you’re playing on that show “The Office”, for about as many people who are also on that show.
I like your version of Knocking on Heaven’s Door. Has Bob Dylan heard it yet?
I doubt Bob Dylan had heard this version, but we’ve been surprised many times in this business.
How was it to be produced by Nathan Chapman?
It was great. Nathan is a true pro, and a super good friend. He really wanted to capture the essence of who we are, while bringing the music up to another level. We loved working with him.
Who would you like to jam with?
I’m terrible at jamming with folks, but I’d love to write music with somebody like James Taylor, or Tom Waits. I’m just curious what their process is like.
What type of guitars do you play? Model make and year? And why did you pick them?
I play a Collings D1. I think it was fresh off the lot a couple years, direct from the manufacturer. I like it’s low end sound, and feels great to play.
What music do you listen to, to relax?
I love Billie Holiday, slow jazz, or Vince Guaraldi. That type of crackle on the record just puts me at ease. Or classical, or just people speaking on a podcast.
Anything in closing?
We just want to say thank you to any fans reading this, or any future fans. We appreciate the support, and we hope to keep giving you music you can enjoy! Thanks again yall!
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