Currently in the middle of a three-stop tour in Asia, Melbourne singer-songwriter MADI LEEDS today shares her brand new single Nightmare. The track heralds a new chapter for the artist, seeing her swap out the pop sheen for an unapologetic indie edge – one for fans of Slow Pulp, Snail Mail, and Soccer Mommy.
The shift in sound lends itself to the lyrical content of Nightmare, as Madi explores existential dread, health anxiety, and the fear of getting older.
“People often say things like, ‘Why don’t you leave that for later in life?’ or ‘What’s the rush?’ But I’ve always felt that getting older is a privilege and feel that tomorrow isn’t promised,” says Madi. “From experiences with grief and loss I try not to take things for granted.”
After a fainting trigger at a music festival during a Phoebe Bridgers set, Madi had an intense lucid dream, which inspired the darker themes in the song. “In the dream, I was asleep in my own home while an old, witch-like woman in a cloak watched me from my street – then suffocated me and I couldn’t wake up. Later, I found out it’s a common lucid dream known as ‘the old hag’. The lyrics draw from that dream but also use it as a metaphor – of being haunted by my future self, or the fear of looking back one day and realising I didn’t live my life to the fullest.”
The track was produced by David Quested, aka Local the Neighbour, in his attic studio in Melbourne. It was mixed by Simon Dobson (Rum Jungle), and mastered by Bennett Littlejohn (Hovvdy).
MADI LEEDS has been building a name for herself abroad, having performed multiple times across Asia. Earlier this week she performed in Hong Kong, and is set to perform in Seoul tomorrow night, before heading to Tokyo for a show on December 4. Back home, MADI LEEDS has supported the likes of Pseudo Echo, performed at Moomba Festival and Melbourne Music Week, and written with Japanese Wallpaper on her single Identity. Across her releases, Madi’s music has been played on triple j, triple j Unearthed, and community radio including live performances on Triple R, SYN, Southern FM, and Northside Radio. Madi has also featured in Beat Magazine, Happy Mag, Foley Mag, 1700 TV and more.
With plans for hometown live shows upon her return and more music to follow in 2026, the new chapter of MADI LEEDS is just beginning.
With thanks to Crowd Favourite
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