Duality and individuality are overriding themes in the music of MACEDO, the surname of twin sisters Michelle and Melissa, who have taken a lifetime of creative energy and talent to produce their emotionally compelling, richly textured music. Creating electrifying Alternative Pop tunes with empowering messages, MACEDO is gearing up for the release of their new, emotionally driven album, Ghost Town.
Growing up in Pasadena, CA in a very musical household, family gatherings for MACEDO always consisted of everyone getting together, singing and playing instruments. MACEDO says, “Our dad is a pianist and guitarist and exposed us to all the great records and music spanning from all areas of classical to big band jazz to Bossa Nova to today’s music. There was truly no music he didn’t love. He starting teaching us how to play the piano when we were about 3 years old. Almost everyone in our family plays a musical instrument. Our grandmother was a trained classical pianist in LA. Being an artist wasn’t ever considered an option as a career path but more as a hobby. Melissa and I were determined to make it happen. We grew up hitting up the local music scene and starting to play live around L.A. when we were 16.”
Songwriting as twins offers a unique connection that often involves one twin getting ideas based on a situation the other twin is in. The girls are opposites in nature and temperament, yet are connected by the inexplicable, emotional bond only shared by twins. They never know when inspiration will strike, one sister can start a song and the other can finish it.
The album’s theme of a mystical creative utopia reflects the musical chemistry the girls are lucky enough to experience. All twelve songs are written by Michelle & Melissa and were engineered and produced by MJ Denton. Wurlitzer parts were recorded and played by Khris Kellow (Christina Aguilera).
Michelle and Melissa also recently appeared as Stacie and Stephanie in the Netflix show, GIRLBOSS as well as the leads in the James Franco film titled Blood Heist.
We had the wonderful opportunity to chat with MACEDO. Check out the interview below.
What inspired you to become singers and songwriters?
We always knew that music was something we wanted to pursue. We realized it was such a powerful form of self-expression. It felt like a way to transform life experiences into something beautiful, like alchemy. It can truly help people. To express ideas and feelings through lyrics and music is incredibly powerful. We grew up playing music and listening to amazing music.
Your music is described as emotionally textured. What inspires your creativity?
Honestly, so many things. The songwriting of Joni Mitchell, Tori Amos, Nina Simone, Fiona Apple, Claude Debussy, Otis Redding, Billie Holiday and Radiohead were huge influences. We really appreciate amazing songwriting and we feel like all of those artists tell a story in the most impactful way. They are real, honest and can structure a song effectively. The city of Los Angeles inspires us. It also inspires us to meet new people and travel.
You’re noted as having incredible stage energy. What are the five things you must have with you on stage?
Thank you! Well, each other is one! We also must have a good vibe between us and our bandmates, an outfit that makes us feel and look our best, a set list, water and a ton of confidence.
What makes your music unique?
I think the combination of us being twins and naturally expressive artists. We feel like the songwriting process is like alchemy, turning pain into something beautiful and honest. Melissa will see me experiencing a relationship and she will get an idea of a song and then we can finish it together. Michelle has always written poetry as a way of expressing herself and so experiences naturally come out in words. It’s very therapeutic and cathartic. As sisters and as musicians, we are so deeply connected that one of us will supply what the other one needs. That is just a part of who we are, our relationship is integral to our art.
Tell us how following your dreams and intuition has paid off.
There’s nothing quite like truly going for what you want, it’s a huge risk with an even bigger reward. You can never look back and say I never did what I really wanted. You also trust you’re on the right path because you know life just wouldn’t be the same without it. We are lucky enough to get to do our art every day and to be creative with ourselves and collaborators, we can’t think of a better life than that!
Your uniqueness and talent are evident. Tell us about the process of composing a song.
Thank you so much for saying that! Usually, Michelle will start with lyrics and we’ll work together to create a melody. Sometimes Melissa will come to Michelle with a hook or a line and Michelle will expand from there. Every song is different. Next, we focus on how to tell the most powerful story combining the lyrics with the melody. After many edits and revisions, we decide to move on. It’s so difficult to know when the song is actually done, but when we feel like we’ve told the story in the most effective way, we let it go.
What has been the best part of working in the music industry?
The best part about working in the music industry is meeting other artists and collaborators who are just as dedicated and passionate. We love working with people who love what they do and are truly dedicated artists.
They also understand the life of being a musician/artist so you can feel deeply bonded by that shared experience. There’s nothing like truly clicking with some great people.
What has been your best song compositions?
“Take Back the Night” is an important song about sexual assault. So many people experience it but there are so much shame and silence surrounding it that it’s not often talked about. It’s incredibly difficult to talk about and we wanted to give people the courage to share their stories. I couldn’t get through the song without crying. We only did one take on the vocals for that one.
Do you have any upcoming projects that you would like to share?
Yes! We are so excited for what’s to come. We just wrapped lead roles in an incredible feature film in New York called “Sara”. It was an amazing experience and our fellow cast members (Marc Menchaca, Drew Fonteiro, Tyler Dash White) and crew were incredible. That is all we can say so far but stay tuned on our Instagram and we will be announcing more soon!
What advice would you give to someone, who is aspiring to enter the music industry?
I think most importantly, it’s to keep going, believe in yourself, and not to pay attention to the naysayers who are operating out of fear. Always make decisions out of a place of love and be kind to yourself and others.
Complete this sentence, if I had an opportunity to do anything I want, I would do ___________.
We would tour the world and travel with our art. We’re all about meeting our fans and seeing the world!
Acoustic Version of Song Sea of You form Ghost Town:
[su_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odzum8FdQHI”]
Connect with MACEDO:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MacedoMusic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/macedomusic/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MacedoMusic
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/macedomusic
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/user/macedoentertainment
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/musicmacedo
Tumblr: http://macedomusic.tumblr.com/
Ghost Town Album:
Bandcamp: https://macedo.bandcamp.com/album/ghost-town-full-album
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/5Cz1QpL5opbtsPh21MIWOJ
Website: https://www.macedomusic.com/news/ghost-town-remix-available-now
Featured Photo Credit: Bobby Quillard
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