New York – There’s always something fun about hearing and then following along with a band’s story of steadily increasing success. This enjoyment is only augmented when a band’s players turn out to be entirely made up of people with familial ties. Mother and song duo, Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear, are one of the newest up-in-comers to fill such shoes and the first single from their forthcoming debut, “Silent Movies,” is certainly helping propel them in an even more positive direction!
Known off stage as Ruth and Madisen Ward, this musical pair have been playing shows around the Kansas City, MO area for the last couple of years, to much warm reception from their local scene. Recently though, more widespread boosts through platforms like NPR Music (via their recently shared “Austin 100 Playlist”) and the Late Show with David Letterman, have placed Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear’s music at the front and center of mainstream media and set the pair to make a big splash at SXSW. See below for their complete SXSW schedule.
“Silent Movies” is the leading single from the duo’s debut album titled, Skeleton Crew, which is being released through Glassnote Records on May 19.
Check out the song via the SoundCloud stream below!
Skeleton Crew is a loaded, 12-song record, that was recorded in Nashville, TN over the course of winter 2014-15. It was produced by Jim Abbiss, known for his work with the Arctic Monkeys and Adele. One of Madisen Ward’s reflections on the album included this insight,
“We took the scenic route getting here, and I can already tell we ain’t seen nothing yet. Thank you for letting us share this with you all.”
After recently making waves at Lucian Grainge’s UMG Grammy showcase and last fall’s Americana Music Festival, the musical mother and son will be commemorating the release of their debut with a string of special tour dates happening this spring and summer, including the performances at SXSW, as well as Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival and the Newport Folk Festival.
Watch Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear’s performance from Letterman below:
Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear SXSW Schedule
Thursday, March 19
6:00am: W Hotel (KGSR live broadcast)
10:30pm: St. David’s Bethell Hall
Friday, March 20
4:00pm: Austin Convention Center (Radio Day Stage, presented By WFUV, WXPN, KUTX, The Current, KXT)
9:00pm: The Gatsby (Americana Music Association/Pandora Discovery Den)
Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear Tour Dates
April 23 Kansas City, MO Middle of the Map Fest
June 11 Manchester, TN Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival
July 25 Newport, RI Newport Folk Festival
More dates will be announced soon!
“Silent Movies” is available now through iTunes, Google Play and Amazon, as well as streaming now on Spotify.
Keep up with Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear through their official website and these social media outlets:
Facebook
Twitter (@madisenwardmb)
Instagram
SoundCloud
